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21 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
Amendment
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a change added to a bill, law, or constitution
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Antifederalists
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those who favored strong state governments and a weak national government and were opponents of the constitution proposed at the American Constitutional Convention of 1787
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Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union
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America’s first written constitution; served as the basis for America’s national government until 1789
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Bicameral
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a two-chambered legislature; opposite of unicameral
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Bill of Rights
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the first ten amendments to the Constitution, which guarantee certain rights and liberties to the people
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Checks and balances
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mechanisms through which each branch of government is able to participate in and influence the activities of the other branches. Major examples include the presidential veto power over congressional legislation, the power of the Senate to approve presidential appointments, and judicial review of congressional enactments
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Confederation
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a system of government with a weak national government but strong states or provinces
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Elastic clause
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a phrase in Article I, Section 8, of the Constitution (also known as the necessary and proper clause), which provides Congress with the authority to make all laws necessary and proper to carry out the other powers given to Congress
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Electoral college
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the presidential electors from each state who meet after the popular election to cast ballots for president and vice president
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Expressed powers
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specific powers granted to Congress in the Constitution
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Federalism
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a system of government in which power is divided, by a constitution, between the central (national) government and regional (state) governments
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Federalist Papers
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a series of essays written by James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay supporting the ratification of the Constitution
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Federalists
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those who favored a strong national government and supported the constitution proposed at the American Constitutional Convention of 1787
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Great Compromise
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the agreement reached at the Constitutional Convention of 1787 where representation in the House of Representatives would be apportioned according to the number of inhabitants in each state, but in the Senate each state would have an equal vote regardless of its population
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Judicial review
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the power of the courts to review and, if necessary, declare actions of the legislative and executive branches invalid or unconstitutional. The Supreme Court asserted this power in Marbury v. Madison (1803)
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Limited government
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a government whose powers are defined and limited by a constitution
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New Jersey Plan
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a framework for the Constitution, introduced by William Paterson, which called for equal state representation in the national legislature regardless of population
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Separation of powers
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the division of governmental power among several institutions that must cooperate in decision making
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Supremacy clause
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Article VI of the Constitution, which states that laws passed by the national government and all treaties “shall be the supreme law of the land” and superior to all laws adopted by any state or any subdivision
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Three-fifths Compromise
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the agreement reached at the Constitutional Convention of 1787 that stipulated that for purposes of the apportionment of congressional seats, five slaves would count as three free persons
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Tyranny
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oppressive and unjust government that employs cruel and unjust use of power and authority
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