GOV for idiots
A system of government where power is held by the people
Democracy
A system in which the government’s authority comes from the people.
Republicanism
A meeting attended by state delegates in 1787 to fix the Articles of Confederation.
Constitutional Convention
"Citizens and governments throughout the confederation found themselves unable to pay debts that had been incurred during the war or during the tough economic times that followed."
Hint: What is this excerpt describing?
Shay's rebellion
An essay in which Madison argues that the dangers of faction can be mitigated by a large republic and republican government.
Federalist No. 10
The right to life, liberty, and property, the gov cannot take away
Natural rights
The structure of government, including the executive, legislature, and judiciary.
Political Institutions
The right of people detained by the government to know the charges against them.
Writ of habeas corpus
A landmark case in restricting the rights of African Americans following the Civil War and asserting states’ rights.
Plessy v. Ferguson 1896
An essay in which Madison argues that separation of powers and federalism will prevent tyranny.
People allow their gov to rule over them to ensure an orderly and functioning society.
Social contract
A democratic system with elected representatives in which the Constitution is the supreme law.
Constitutional republic
When the legislature declares someone guilty without a trial.
Bills of Attainder
A governing document that created a union of thirteen sovereign states in which the states, not the national government, were supreme.
Articles of Confederation
An Antifederalist Paper arguing that the country was too large to be governed as a republic and that the Constitution gave too much power to the national government.
Brutus No. 1
The set of beliefs, customs, traditions, and values that Americans share.
American political culture
A theory that widespread political participation is essential for democratic government.
Participatory democracy
Laws punishing people for acts that were not crimes at the time they were committed.
Ex post facto laws
The founding father that was a slave owner, but didn't necessarily agree with slavery
James Madison
Reserves powers not delegated to the national government to the states and the people; the basis of federalism.
10th amendment
The idea that the government’s right to rule comes from the people.
Popular sovereignty
Language in Article I, Section 8, granting Congress the powers necessary to carry out its enumerated powers.
Necessary and proper or elastic clause
A committee at the Constitutional Convention that worked out the compromise on representation.
Grand committee
Convention called to address trade and navigation disputes among states.
The Annapolis Convention 1786
The requirement that officials in one state return a defendant to another state where a crime was committed.
Extradition