Founding Terms
The right to use power.
authority
The first form of written self-government in America.
Mayflower Compact
A major result of Congress’ insufficient income under the Articles
they could not pay war debts
To formally approve
ratify
Certain moral laws apply to all mankind throughout all time
Natural Law
The rightful source by which one claims authority.
legitimacy
This controversy showed the importance of separation of church and state.
Lay Investiture Controversy
three provisions for cooperation between states
respect civil acts, settle disputes through arbitration, and return criminals or escaped slaves.
Pen name “Brutus,” who opposed the Constitution for granting too much federal power.
the Anti-Federalist Papers
Rights that cannot be revoked by an outside force, assumed in the Bill of Rights
inalienable rights
Government ruled by God.
theocracy
The document that established and defined the U.S. government before the Constitution
Articles of Confederation
One rebellion that made the nation look weak.
Shays' Rebellion
two reasons proceedings were kept secret
freedom to speak without repercussions. Another: freedom from special interest group influence
Authority to rule is granted to government by the people in a mutual agreement
Social Contract Theory
A loose organization of self-governing states.
Confederation
Provided for the Northwest Territory to be divided into six-mile square townships.
Northwest Ordinance of 1785
three weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation
No power to tax, no power to enforce laws, and no executive or judicial branches
Who wrote the Federalist Papers (3 names)
John Jay, James Madison, and Alexander Hamilton
Explain separation of powers
Three branches of government must be separate but equal, with each able to limit the others
A formally united group of states under a central government.
Union
The Articles of Confederation’s weakness revealed by Shays’ Rebellion
the Articles were too weak to govern
The original purpose of the Philadelphia Convention and three of its delegates
to edit/revise the Articles of Confederation
Ben Franklin, George Washington, James Madison, Roger Sherman, Edmund Randolph, William Patterson, John Dickinson
Name and explain one compromise (other than the Great Compromise) made when writing the Constitution
Slave Trade Compromise - slavery legal until 1808
3/5ths Compromise - slaves count as 3/5 of a person when counting population for taxes and representation
“Government of the people, by the people, and for the people" describes what principle
popular sovereignty