US Chapter 1 Flashcards
Constitutionalism
The belief in limiting government power by a written charter
Colony
A territory under the direct control of a parent state
John Locke
English political philosopher whose ides about political legitimacy influenced the American founders; father of Classical liberalism; freedom of an individual by limiting government power
Articles of Confederation
The first plan of a national government for the 13 American states; replaced by Constitution; states retained most political power; Nov. 1777
Confederation
A loose union of separate states
Shay’s Rebellion
A revolt by farmers from Massachusetts in 1786-1787 over lack of economic relief; led to belief that stronger central government was necessary
Annapolis Convention
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
Northwest Ordinance
A major statute, enacted by Congress in 1787 under the Articles of Confederation, that allowed the development and government of lands west of Pennsylvania
Virginia Plan
The first plan of union proposed at the Constitutional Convention in 1787, called for a strong central government and numerical representation
New Jersey Plan
plan introduced at the Constitutional Convention in opposition to the Virginia Plan, emphasized dominance of the states and against numerical representation
Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise)
agreement at the Constitutional Convention in 1787 to accept representation by population in the House and by states in the Senate
Three-fifths compromise
A temporary resolution to the controversy over slavery, allowing slave states to count each slave as three-fifths of a person for representation purposes
Federalists
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
Antifederalists
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
The Federalist
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
Republican (or representative) government
people elect representatives to make decisions in their place
Checks and balances
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.
Commerce Clause
(Article 1 Section 8) Gives Congress the authority to regulate the country’s economic environment
Necessary and proper clause
(Article 1 Section 8) (“elastic clause”) the source of “implied powers” for the national government
Writ of mandamus
order by a court to a public official to perform a nondiscretionary or ministerial act
Marbury v. Madison
1803, decision by the Supreme Court establishing the Supreme Court’s power of judicial review
Original Jurisdiction
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
Appellate Jurisdiction
includes cases a court receives from lower courts—congress defines the appellate jurisdiction of the U.S. Supreme Court
Judicial Review
The authority of the courts to set aside a legislative act as being in violation of the Constitution
Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions
A challenge to national supremacy, these state documents declared states to be the final authority on the meaning of the Constitution
Thomas Hobbes
social contract theory, agreement among individuals by which society becomes organized and invested with the right to secure mutual protection and welfare
Constitutional Functions
- Outlines the organization of government
- Grants power
- Mainstay of rights
- Symbol of the nation
Traditional themes of the Declaration of Independence
- Humankind shares equality
- Government is the creation and servant of the people
- Promotes natural rights
- Governments are bound by their own laws
Distinguishable features of the Articles of Confederation
- 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
Problems with the Articles of Confederation
- Absence of sufficient power in the central government
- The presence of too much power in the hands of the state governments
When was the Declaration signed?
July 4, 1776
When was the Constitution signed
1787
Popular election
voters directly elect the members of the House of Representatives
Indirect popular election
states legislatures chose members of the Senate, while specially designated electors selected the president
Appointment
President picked the national judiciary, with approval of Senate
How Does the Constitution Fit the Needs of the 21st Century?
- Brevity
- Elasticity
- Procedure
What’s the difference between government and politics?
- Politics is a process
- Government is the set of organizations where the process takes place
