Foundations of the Constitution
Beginning with a rediscovery of Greek and Roman ideas, the Renaissance focused on art, but evolved into a scientific revolution in Western Europe known as the Enlightenment.
What is The Philosophical Revolution?
Written by Thomas Jefferson, this document explained the colonies' grievances with the British government and its king.
What is the Declaration of Independence?
This was a direct response to the toothlessness of the Articles of Confederation, and ensured the U.S. Constitution and federal laws and treaties would be treated as the "Supreme Law of the Land".
What is the supremacy clause?
A partisan struggle led by Washington, Adams, and Hamilton on one side and Jefferson and Madison on the other.
What is Early Federalism?
Starting as the system of kings and lords, the growth of towns and cities led to a growing merchant class, more globalized trade, changes in banking and finance to allow more investments in commerce, and marked change towards individualism; Europe moved out of feudalism into mercantilism and ended at Capitalism.
What is the Economic Revolution?
What are the Articles of Confederation?
Referring to Article 1, Section 8, Clause 3 of the US Constitution, this gives the federal government the power to regulate commerce among the states.
The idea that national and state governments were equal partners with separate and distinct spheres of authority.
What is Dual Federalism?
Beginning with Martin Luther critiquing the Catholic Church and the birth of Protestantism, this event led to the development of Judeo-Christian ideas in Western Europe.
What is the Religious Revolution?
Favored by large states, and allowing a bicameral congress, this idea created a stronger national government than the one set up by the articles of confederation.
What is the Virginia Plan?
This allowed congress to pass laws that aren't explicitly listed in the Constitution if they are convenient or useful for executing the powers that are listed.
What is the necessary and proper clause?
Also known as Marble-Cake federalism, defined as a flexible relationship between the federal and state governments.
What is Cooperative Federalism?
Marked by population, territory, government and sovereignty, this event lead to the development of a nation-state and citizenship.
What is the Political Revolution?
Focused on giving southern states better representation, this idea allowed slaves to be counted for determining direct taxation and representation in the House of Representation.
What is the 3/5 compromise?
Enumerated in the 10th Amendment, this states that any power not explicitly given to the federal government will be given to the states.
What is Reserved Powers?
Characterized by shifts in the intergovernmental grant system and the growth of unfunded federal mandates.
What is Federalism today?
Described by some being loyal and others being upset by a variety of factors including taxation, territorial growth (or the lack thereof), and poor representation in Parliament.
What is the relationship between the colonies and Great Britain?
This is a system of government where power is divided between a central government and smaller state or regional government, allowing a balance between a unified country and local control.
What is federalism?
The first ten amendments to the Constitution. This spells out Americans' rights in relation to their government, such as civil rights and liberties to the individual (speech, press, religion, etc).
What is the Bill of Rights?
Written under the name of Publius, these essays argued in favor of a strong central government and the ratification of the U.S. Constitution.
What are the Federalist Papers?