Ratify the Constitution?
A group of individuals that was against the ratification of the Constitution, as they believed it was wrong to give the central government more power (they wrote the Brutus papers)
Antifederalists
The basic freedoms and protections that every person has, just because they’re human
Individual rights
A compromise that solved the debate of how slaves should be counted by stating that they are 3/5 of a person
3/5 Compromise
A system where people elect representatives to make decisions for them
Republicanism
“That whenever any Form of ____ becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new ____…”
(same word)
Government
A system of government where multiple groups, interests, and organizations (such as political parties, unions, and lobby groups) compete and work to influence public policy
Pluralistic Democracy
A group of individuals that was for the ratification of the Constitution (they wrote papers)
Federalists
The idea that the government is divided into three branches and each branch has its own job
Separation of powers
Stated that Congress couldn’t ban the slave trade until 1808
Slave Trade clause
A system where power is divided between the national government and state governments.
Federalism
In the Declaration, Jefferson writes that governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed.
Social Contract
A system of government where citizens have the direct power to make decisions and participate actively in political processes (individual participation)
Participatory Democracy
A part of the Constitution that was added after it was determined by the Antifederalists that there was a lack of protection of individual rights in the Constitution
A system where each branch of government can limit the power of the others
Checks and balances
A proposal that favored larger states by emphasizing that representation should be based on population
Virginia Plan
Money given by the federal government for specific purposes, with strict rules, vs. more flexible money, states choose how to use it
Categorical vs. Block Grants
The Declaration famously states that all men are "endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights", including Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.
Natural Rights
A system of government where a small, privileged group of people—often with more wealth, education, or influence—hold most of the political power.
Elitist Democracy
The first Constitution of the US, which established a loose confederation of sovereign states and a weak central government
Articles of Confederation (1781)
The concept that everyone must follow the law, even the government and leaders
Rule of law
A proposal that favored smaller states by emphasizing that representation should be equal regardless of population
Power is centralized in the national government vs. power is shared between the national and state governments
Unitary vs. Federal model
The Declaration rejects monarchy and justifies the colonists’ desire to form their own government, where they would be able to choose their leaders through representative elections.
Republic
The principle that the decision or choice that gets more than half of the votes or support is the one that is accepted or followed
Majority Rule
A key event that highlighted the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and contributed to the call for a stronger central government
Shays Rebellion
The political principle that restricts the powers of the government to protect individual rights and freedoms
Limited government
Solved the big state vs. small state debate by creating a bicameral legislature (Senate and HOR)
National and state governments are separate and distinct, vs. national and state governments work together, especially on big issues
Dual Federalism vs. Cooperative Federalism
"Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed" suggests a government based on the will of the people, which is a foundational principle of ____ rule.
Democratic (democracy)
The protections and freedoms guaranteed to smaller or less powerful groups within a society, ensuring they are treated fairly and have their rights respected, even if they don't make up the majority
Minority rights
The aspect of the Constitution that the Antifederalists were against. They feared it would undermine state sovereignty and give the federal government too much power.
Supremacy Clause (says that federal law overrides state law if there is a conflict)
The fact that, in government, the people have the power. The government gets its authority from the consent of the governed.
Popular sovereignty
The process of making decisions about how a society or government is organized and how power is distributed
Politics