The Constitution
A formal statement of the fundamental rights of the people of the United States that satisfied Anti-Federalist concerns.
What is the Bill of Rights?
A system that allows each branch of government to limit the powers of the other branches in order to prevent abuse of power.
What is Checks and Balances?
The first governmental document of the U.S. in which each state retained sovereignty, the ability to act independently of the Confederation. Each state had equal representation in a unicameral legislature.
What are the Articles of Confederation?
Those who favored a stronger national government and weaker state governments. Supported the ratification of the Constitution.
What are Federalists?
Powers held jointly by the national and state governments. For example, the powers to tax, pass laws and borrow funds.
What are Concurrent Powers?
Article VI of the Constitution, which states that the Constitution, national laws, and treaties are supreme over states laws when national government is acting within its constitutional limits.
What is the Supremacy Clause?
A way of dividing the power of government among the legislative, executive, and judicial branch to prevent tyranny.
What is Separation of Powers?
Rebellion led by farmers in Western Mass., protesting mortgage foreclosures. It highlighted the need for a strong national government just as the call for the Constitutional Convention went out.
What is Shay's Rebellion?
Those who favored strong state government and a weaker national government. Advocated for a bill of rights to formally address individual and state rights. Concerned about the concentration of power in a central government under the Constitution.
What are Anti-Federalists?
Powers that only the national government has.
What are Exclusive Powers?
Reserves powers to the states. Has been used successfully by the states to get the federal courts to strike down federal laws the violate this principle.
What is the 10th Amendment?
A government in which the people rule by their own consent.
What is popular sovereignty?
Initial proposal at the Constitutional Convention for a strong central government with a bicameral legislature dominated by the big states.
What is the Virginia Plan?
An essay from the Federalist Papers written by James Madison. Explains the virtues of separation of powers and checks and balances proposed in the new Constitution.
What is Federalist #51?
Powers not specifically mentions in the Constitution; powers inferred from the express powers that allow Congress to carry out its functions.
What are Implied Powers?
Article 1, Section 8 of the Constitution. Allows Congress to make all laws that are "necessary and proper" to carry out the powers of the Constitution. Has allowed the federal government to expand its power over time.
What is the Elastic Cause?
A legislature consisting of two parts, or houses with separate rules.
Proposal at the Constitutional Convention made by William Paterson for a central government with a single-house legislature in which each state would be represented equally.
What is the New Jersey Plan?
An essay arguing against the ratification of the Constitution. Concerned that it would give too much power to the national government and that it wouldn't be able to survive because the country was too big.
What is Brutus #1?
Powers the Constitution specifically granted to one of the branches of the national government. Listed explicitly in the Constitution: ex. right to coin money, declare war, regulate foreign and interstate trade, tax, etc.
Article 1, Section 8, Clause 1, that gives Congress the power to regulate all business activities that cross state lines or affect more than one state or other nations. Has helped the Federal government to expand its power over time.
A format chosen by the Founding Fathers in which people vote for representatives who then make laws. People do not vote directly on legislation.
What is Republican Democracy?
Agreement between the states at the Constitutional Convention for a bicameral legislature with a lower house in which representation would be based on population and an upper house in which each state would have two senators.
What is the Great Compromise?
What is Dual Federalism?
Powers that belong to the states and the people, not specifically granted to the federal government or denied to the states. Granted by the 10th Amendment. For example, regulating voting and administering elections at the state level.