Foundational US Documents
A central government with independent states, rather than a unitary government (where all power comes from a central authority).
What is Federalism?
Favored by large states, it based representation on population size.
What is the Virginia Plan?
To sway public opinion and convince at least 9 of 13 states to ratify, a series of 85 essays was written called
What is the Federalist Papers?
The division of Congress into two chambers
What is bicameralism?
The step in the bill process that reviews the bill and holds public hearings with witnesses and experts.
What is Committee Review?
Law that further angered colonists by requiring them to house British soldiers.
What are the Quartering Acts?
Favored by small states, it gave each state an equal number of votes.
What is the New Jersey Plan?
Explained checks and balances, ensuring each branch had the power to limit tyranny from another branch.
What is Federalist Paper 51?
The vote % required from BOTH houses of Congress to pass a law
What is the majority vote (51%)?
Within a 10-day window, the President has the power to veto if Congress is out of session; the bill dies without action.
What is Pocket veto?
A document that listed 27 Grievances against King George III, based on principles from the Magna Carta, English Bill of Rights, and the ideas of John Locke.
What is the Declaration of Independence?
Resolved a major conflict by counting three-fifths of enslaved people toward state populations.
What is the three-fifths compromise?
The author responsible for drafting amendments to address Anti-Federalist concerns.
Who is James Madison?
The powers and limitations for the respective houses of Congress are detailed in this section of the constitution
What is Article 1 of the Constitution?
If vetoed, Congress can override with what majority of vote in both houses
What is 2/3 majority vote?
An early attempt to create a legitimate government, influenced by Enlightenment ideals and English common law.
What is the Articles of Confederation?
A compromise that satisfied both large and small states, giving each part of what they wanted.
What is the Great Compromise?
Grants states control over all powers not given to the federal government
What is the 10th amendment?
The specific powers are explicitly expressed in the Constitution
What are Expressed Powers?
Ensure party members vote along party lines and maintain attendance.
What are whips?
A revolt in Massachusetts by poor farmers who couldn’t pay war debt taxes.
What is Shays' Rebellion?
Established federal law as the "supreme law of the land" over state laws.
What is the Supremacy Clause?
The concept that you cannot be retried for the same crime twice.
What is double jeopardy?
Strengthened federal control over interstate commerce, but later courts favored state rights (1840s–1930s).
What is Gibbons v. Ogden?
Some states intentionally manipulate district boundaries to benefit a party
What is gerrymandering?