Vocabulary
Republicanism
In a republic, citizens elect leaders for a limited period of time; the leaders' job is to make and execute laws in the public interest.
One kept under control by law, checks and balances, and separation of powers.
Grand Committee
The committee was made up of one delegate from each of the states represented at the convention.
Representative republic
A collection of sovereign states gathered for the national interest, national needs, and national defense.
Representative democracy
a government in which the people entrust elected officials to represent their concerns.
Participatory democracy
depends on the direct participation of many, if not most, people in a society, not only in government but in public life as well.
Pluralist democracy
People with widely varying interests find others who share their interest and organize and unite into nongovernmental groups to exert influence on political decision making.
Elite democracy
elected representatives make decisions and act as trustees for the people who elected them.
Federalist
Those who supported the proposed constitutional structure, a strong federal government, and full ratification.
Anti-Federalist
Those who opposed the consolidation of the states under a federal government.
Initiatives
give the people the power to place a measure on the ballot for a popular vote.
Referendum
Allows citizens to contest the work of the legislature.
Articles of Confederation
The document that laid out the first form of government for the new nation.
Differing plans
Different delegates presented different plans at the convention.
Virginia Plan
Called for a three-branch system with a national executive, a judiciary, and a bicameral.
New Jersey Plan
assured states their sovereignty through a national government with limited and defined powers.
Great Compromise
Sherman's proposal created a two-house Congress composed of a House of Representatives and a Senate.
Slavery and the Three-Fifths Compromise
Delegates from non-slave states questioned how enslaved people would be counted in determining representation.
Electoral College
States could decide how their electors that they had representatives in Congress, and the people would vote for the electors.
No Child Left Behind Act
Called for improvements in teaching methods, testing to measure progress, and sanctions for underperforming schools.
Race to the Top
Every Student Succeeds Act
States are free to determine their own standards for educational achievement, while still upholding protections for disadvantage students.
Legislative Access Points
Provides one access point for people to influence U.S. policy.
Executive Access Points
Access to their government through the executive branch and its many agencies.
Judicial Access Points
Judicial system offers additional access points for representation and justice.