Government Types
constitution has authority to place clearly recognized limits on the power of those who govern
Constitutional Government
the principle that a government’s power and legitimacy are derived solely from the consent of its people, who hold supreme authority
Popular Sovereignty
dividing government responsibilities into three distinct, co-equal branches
Separation of Powers
the official approval of the Constitution, or of an amendment, by the states
Ratification
the supreme and absolute authority within territorial boundaries
Sovereignty
a government that divides the powers of government between the national government and state or provincial governments
Federal System
principle that prevents any one branch of government (Legislative, Executive, Judicial) from becoming too powerful by granting each the authority to limit the others
Checks and Balances
the Constitutional Convention’s agreement to establish a two house national legislature, with all states having equal representation in a house and each state having representation based on the population in the other house
The Connecticut (Great) Compromise
favored small states by calling for a unicameral (one-house) legislature with equal representation (one vote) for each state, preserving state sovereignty
The New Jersey Plan
(1781–1789) created a weak central government among sovereign states, prioritizing state power. It allowed the Continental Congress to declare war, negotiate treaties, and manage western territories, but failed to provide the power to regulate commerce or impose taxes
Articles of Confederation
a loose union of independent states
Confederacy
specific authorities granted to the federal government directly and explicitly spelled out in the U.S. Constitution
Expressed Powers
Congress, a bicameral body consisting of the House of Representatives and the Senate. Its primary role is to make laws, declare war, control taxing and spending policies, and oversee the executive branch
Legislative Branch
a bicameral (two-house) legislature in which representation would be proportional to a state's population forrepresentation in a national government
The Virginia plan
that the state evolved from the family
Evolutionary Theory
a government that gives all key powers to the national or central government
Unitary System
outline the core goals of the new government, such as establishing justice, ensuring domestic peace, providing for defense, promoting general welfare, and securing liberty
Preamble
system of federal and state courts and judges that interprets laws, settles legal disputes, and decides if laws or executive actions violate the Constitution
Judicial Branch
the Constitutional Convention’s agreement to count 3/5 of a state’s slaves as population for purposes of representation and taxation
The Three Fifths Compromise
the state was born of force – when all the people of an area were brought under the authority of one person or group
Force Theory
governed territory with large industries and advanced technology that provides a more comfortable way of life than developing governed territories
Industrialized Nation
establishes that the Constitution, federal laws made pursuant to it, and treaties constitute the "supreme Law of the Land"
Supremacy Clause
enforces federal laws, manages foreign policy, and commands the armed forces. Led by the President, Vice President, and Cabinet
Executive Branch
delegate and main opponent of the Virginia Plan by introducing the Connecticut Compromise that won the approval of both the more and less populous states
Roger Sherman
governed territory with large industries and advanced technology that provides a more comfortable way of life than developing governed territories
Industrialized Nation