US Chapter 1 Flashcards

1
Q

Constitutionalism

A

The belief in limiting government power by a written charter

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2
Q

Colony

A

A territory under the direct control of a parent state

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3
Q

John Locke

A

English political philosopher whose ides about political legitimacy influenced the American founders; father of Classical liberalism; freedom of an individual by limiting government power

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4
Q

Articles of Confederation

A

The first plan of a national government for the 13 American states; replaced by Constitution; states retained most political power; Nov. 1777

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5
Q

Confederation

A

A loose union of separate states

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6
Q

Shay’s Rebellion

A

A revolt by farmers from Massachusetts in 1786-1787 over lack of economic relief; led to belief that stronger central government was necessary

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7
Q

Annapolis Convention

A

The meeting of delegates from five states in Annapolis, Maryland in 1786 to consider a common policy for trade among the American states that resulted in a recommendation for a constitutional convention the following year

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8
Q

Northwest Ordinance

A

A major statute, enacted by Congress in 1787 under the Articles of Confederation, that allowed the development and government of lands west of Pennsylvania

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9
Q

Virginia Plan

A

The first plan of union proposed at the Constitutional Convention in 1787, called for a strong central government and numerical representation

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10
Q

New Jersey Plan

A

plan introduced at the Constitutional Convention in opposition to the Virginia Plan, emphasized dominance of the states and against numerical representation

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11
Q

Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise)

A

agreement at the Constitutional Convention in 1787 to accept representation by population in the House and by states in the Senate

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12
Q

Three-fifths compromise

A

A temporary resolution to the controversy over slavery, allowing slave states to count each slave as three-fifths of a person for representation purposes

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13
Q

Federalists

A

a term for persons who advocated ratification of the Constitution in 1787 and 1788 and generally favored a strong central government; also the name of the dominant political party during the administrations of Presidents George Washington and John Adams

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14
Q

Antifederalists

A

persons who opposed ratification of the Constitution in 1787 and 1788 and opposed policies associated with a strong central government, such as a national bank

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15
Q

The Federalist

A

a series of 85 essays written by Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison that were published in NY newspapers urging ratification of the Constitution

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16
Q

Republican (or representative) government

A

people elect representatives to make decisions in their place

17
Q

Checks and balances

A

the system of separate institutions sharing some powers that the Constitution mandates for the national government, its purpose is to keep power divided between legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

18
Q

Commerce Clause

A

(Article 1 Section 8) Gives Congress the authority to regulate the country’s economic environment

19
Q

Necessary and proper clause

A

(Article 1 Section 8) (“elastic clause”) the source of “implied powers” for the national government

20
Q

Writ of mandamus

A

order by a court to a public official to perform a nondiscretionary or ministerial act

21
Q

Marbury v. Madison

A

1803, decision by the Supreme Court establishing the Supreme Court’s power of judicial review

22
Q

Original Jurisdiction

A

authority of a court over cases that begin in that court—courts of general jurisdiction have original jurisdiction over most criminal offenses. The original jurisdiction of the U.S. Supreme Court is very small

23
Q

Appellate Jurisdiction

A

includes cases a court receives from lower courts—congress defines the appellate jurisdiction of the U.S. Supreme Court

24
Q

Judicial Review

A

The authority of the courts to set aside a legislative act as being in violation of the Constitution

25
Q

Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions

A

A challenge to national supremacy, these state documents declared states to be the final authority on the meaning of the Constitution

26
Q

Thomas Hobbes

A

social contract theory, agreement among individuals by which society becomes organized and invested with the right to secure mutual protection and welfare

27
Q

Constitutional Functions

A
  • Outlines the organization of government
  • Grants power
  • Mainstay of rights
  • Symbol of the nation
28
Q

Traditional themes of the Declaration of Independence

A
  • Humankind shares equality
  • Government is the creation and servant of the people
  • Promotes natural rights
  • Governments are bound by their own laws
29
Q

Distinguishable features of the Articles of Confederation

A
  • Preserved state autonomy
  • Guaranteed equal representation for the states
  • Granted the central government only a few important powers
  • Provided for no separate executive branch and no national courts
  • Made amendment almost impossible
30
Q

Problems with the Articles of Confederation

A
  • Absence of sufficient power in the central government

- The presence of too much power in the hands of the state governments

31
Q

When was the Declaration signed?

A

July 4, 1776

32
Q

When was the Constitution signed

A

1787

33
Q

Popular election

A

voters directly elect the members of the House of Representatives

34
Q

Indirect popular election

A

states legislatures chose members of the Senate, while specially designated electors selected the president

35
Q

Appointment

A

President picked the national judiciary, with approval of Senate

36
Q

How Does the Constitution Fit the Needs of the 21st Century?

A
  • Brevity
  • Elasticity
  • Procedure
37
Q

What’s the difference between government and politics?

A
  • Politics is a process

- Government is the set of organizations where the process takes place