Vocab #3 Flashcards
Supremacy Clause
Constitutional provision declaring that the constitution and all national laws and treaties are the supreme law of the land.
Amendment
The process by which changes may be made to the constitution.
Federalist
Supporters of the proposed constitution, who called for a strong national government.
Anti-Federalist
Those opposed to the proposed constitution, who favored stronger state governments.
Federalist Papers
A series of 85 essays written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison and John Jay, and published between 1787 and 1788 that layout the theory behind the constitution.
Federalist No. 51
An essay in which Madison argues that separation of powers and federalism will prevent tyranny.
Faction
A group of self-interested people who use the government to get what they want, tramping the rights of others in the process.
Unitary System
A system where the central government has all other power over subnational governments.
Federalist No. 10
An essay in which madison argues that the danger of the factions can be mitigated by a large republic and a republican government.
Confederal System
A system where the subnational government has most of the power.
Concurrent Powers
Powers granted to both states and the federal government in the constitution.
Brutus No. 1
An antifederalist paper arguing that the country was to large to be governed as a republic and that the constitution gave to much power to the national government.
Federal System
A system where the power is divided between the national and state government.
Exclusive Powers
Powers only the national government may exercise.
Reserved Powers
Powers not given to the national government which are retained by the states and the people.
