Government Basics
The term for a two-chamber legislature
What is bicameral?
This Enlightenment thinker's ideas about natural rights and government by consent influenced the Declaration of Independence.
Who is John Locke?
Plan that called for Enslaved people to count as a fraction of a person for purposes of representation and taxation.
What is the 3/5 Compromise?
Government has restrictions; Bill of Rights is one example
What is limited government?
Author of the Declaration of Independence
Who is Thomas Jefferson?
In this form of government, one person holds all the power
What is an autocracy?
According to the Enlightenment thinker above, the natural rights include life, liberty, and ____.
What is property?
The first written plan of government for the U.S., it created a weak central government and gave most power to the states.
What were the Articles of Confederation?
The division of authority between national and state governments.
What is federalism?
Topic of Article 2 of the U.S. Constitution
What is the Executive Branch?
A government where citizens elect its leaders (and representatives)
What is a republic (or indirect democracy)?
English document that limited the king's power, and established the rule of law.
What is the Magna Carta?
Plan that called for representation based on population; it favored large states
What was the Virginia Plan?
Power of the Courts to declare laws/actions unconstitutional; established by Marbury v. Madison (1803)
What is judicial review?
Topic of Article 4 of the U.S. Constitution
What are state matters?
In this form of government, the political and religious leader are the same.
What is a theocracy?
Drafted before landing in the new world, this first attempt at self-government was guided by a social contract.
What is the Mayflower Compact?
Farmers' revolt, which highlighted the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation
What is Shay's Rebellion?
Each branch can prevent the abuse of power by the others.
What are checks and balances?
These powers belong to the states
What are reserved powers?
Economic system guided by profit and competition; very little government interference
What is capitalism? (or free-market economy)
He believed that a strong government was needed to maintain law and order; to prevent chaos
Who is Thomas Hobbes?
Written by Hamilton, Madison, and Jay, they supported ratifying the Constitution.
What are the Federalist Papers?
"We the People" illustrates this principle, which means that the people have the ultimate authority.
What is popular sovereignty?
This clause gives Congress its implied powers
What is the Necessary and Proper Clause (or Elastic Clause)?