Articles of Confederation
What are the Articles of Confederation?
This document was America's first national government and created a weak central government.
What is the Great Compromise
This compromise created a bicameral legislature with the House and Senate.
This branch makes laws.
Legislative Branch
What are Expressed Powers
Powers specifically granted to the national government are called these.
What is Recall
Citizens use this process to remove an elected official from office before the end of their term.
Under the Articles, Congress could not do this, making it difficult to raise money.
collect taxes
This compromise counted enslaved people as three-fifths of a person for representation and taxation.
What is the Three-Fifths Compromise?
This branch is responsible for enforcing laws.
Executive Branch
What are Reserved Powers
Powers kept by the states are called these.
What is Referendum
Citizens vote directly on a proposed law through this process.
This event showed the weaknesses of the Articles when farmers protested economic hardships in Massachusetts.
Shays Rebellion
What is the Bill of Rights?
Federalists promised to add this to protect individual freedoms and gain support for ratification.
This branch interprets laws and determines constitutionality
Judicial Branch
What are Concurrent Powers
Powers shared by both state and federal governments are called these.
What is Initiative?
Citizens may propose a law through this process
Under the Articles, Congress could not regulate this between the states.
interstate commerce (trade)
What is Popular Sovereignty?
This constitutional principle means the government's power comes from the people.
This presidential power serves as a check on Congress.
veto power
What is the Supremacy Clause
This clause states that federal law is the supreme law of the land.
What are Grants?
These are funds provided by one level of government to another.
The Articles required this level of agreement from states to make amendments.
unanimous approval (all 13 states)
What is the Commerce Clause?
This part of the Constitution gave Congress the power to regulate trade between states.
What are Checks and Balances?
This constitutional principle ensures that no single branch of government becomes too powerful by allowing each branch to limit the powers of the others.
What is the Necessary and Proper Clause
This clause allows Congress to carry out its expressed powers.
What is the power of citizens?
Recall, Referendum, and Initiative are examples of this