The U.S Constitution Flashcards
described by John Adams as a radical change in the principles, opinions, sentiments, and affections of the people
Real Revolution
revolt by former Revolutionary War soldiers protesting foreclosures of farms, high taxes, and high interest rates. Proved the Articles of Confederation government could not handle an unexpected crisis
Shays’ Rebellion
faction that supported a stronger central government and wanted to ratify the U.S. Constitution
Federalists
an informal grouping of people (NOT a political party) that share a common belief or interest
Faction
faction that wanted to keep authority and power with the states and individuals
Anti-Federalists
proposal for unicameral legislature where every state had one vote regardless of its population
New Jersey Plan
proposal for a bicameral legislature where states with larger populations would have more representatives
Virginia Plan
allows an individual that has been arrested to appear before a judge
Habeas Corpus
allowed states to count three fifths (or 60%) of its slave population for the purpose of representation in the House of Representatives
Three Fifths Compromise
plan for bicameral legislature with a House where representation is based on population, and a Senate where every state sends 2 members
Connecticut Compromise (Great Compromise)
a law that declares a person guilty without a trial
Bill of Attainder
stated that the U.S. Constitution and any laws derived from it were supreme over state constitutions and laws
Supremacy Clause
law that makes an act criminal although it was legal when an individual committed it
Ex Post Facto Law
allows Congress to stretch its authority by using implied powers
Necessary and Proper Clause (Elastic Clause)
states cannot legally discriminate against citizens from other states
Privileges and Immunities Clause
allows Congress to stretch its authority by making policies to regulate interstate commerce
Commerce Clause
government cannot interfere with religious activities or beliefs of a group or individual
Free Exercise Clause
government cannot support religion, declare a national religion, or use public resources for religious activities
Establishment Clause
states must respect public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of every other state
Full Faith and Credit Clause
political power rests with the people
Popular sovereignty
the central government cannot expand its authority beyond the powers granted by the U.S. Constitution
Limited government
responsibilities and jobs are divided among 3 branches of government
Separation of Powers
each branch of government has methods to block actions of the other 2 branches
Checks and Balances
authority and responsibilities are shared between a central government and states
Federalism
authority of the SCOTUS to declare actions of the government unconstitutional
Judicial Review
