POPULAR SOVEREIGNTY
the authority of the government is created and sustained by the consent of its people, or elected representatives.
LEGISLATIVE SUPREMACY
the legislative branch had the most power of all three branches.
MASSACHUSETTS CONSTITUTION
John Adams constructed a government of separated and equal powers which incorporated the idea of checks and balances. Most similar to current U.S Constitution than any of the other state constitutions.
ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION
The Articles of Confederation were formed in contrast to Britain's government because Americans did not want to have an overpowering national government.
MAJORITY RULE
when majority pursued its own interests at the expense of the rights of others and is another form of tyranny.
FACTIONS
Groups that formed a majority and manipulated the government to benefit themselves and take advantage of the minority, the rich.
TYRANNY OF THE MAJORITY
The fear that a majority (usually factions) would take away the rights of smaller groups or minorities because of their own selfish interests.
VIRGINIA PLAN
James Madison drafted a government with a strong national government that had the power to make and enforce laws, and to collect its own taxes. Composed of three branches with a legislative supremacy. Focused on larger states keeping the majority of repre
NEW JERSEY PLAN
Paterson proposed that states would have equal representation of 1 vote per state.
GREAT COMPROMISE
The delegates were trying to figure out how each state would be represented in Congress. The Great Compromise is a compromise between the New Jersey Plan and the Virginia Plan.
MARY OTIS WARREN
Anti-federalist who believed that the only safe government was one that was local and closely linked with the will of people. Controlled by the people by such means as yearly elections and replacing people in key positions often.
JAMES MADISON
Drafted the Virginia Plan and the Federalists. Defined democracy and republic.
ANTI-FEDERALISTS
Objected to the Constitution. They opposed a strong central government because they believed the Articles of Confederation constructed a good government. They thought that a strong central government threatened the powers of the states and the rights of t
FEDERALISTS
Favored the ratification of the Constitution. They believed a strong national government was needed to secure the uncooperative states. Men of experience should run the country. National government would protect the rights of the people without a Bill of
ALEXANDER HAMILTON
A strong leader of the federalists who favored the ratification of the Constitution. Proposed a strong central government to replace the weak system of the Articles of Confederation.
3/5TH COMPROMISE
When counting people for population, slaves were considered ? of a person. In result, southern states were overpowering the northern states.
THE FEDERALISTS
A collection of 85 essays written by James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay convincing the 13 states to ratify the Constitution. .
FEDERALIST #10
Written by James Madison, questioning of how to protect against "factions." Argued that a stronger central government better protect against factions than a small republic. This is significant because it discussed a point in which the nation was strugglin
FEDERALIST #51
Written by James Madison addressing appropriate checks and balances in the government. This is significant because checks and balances take place on both the state and national government.
REPUBLICANISM
A form of government which appoints leaders by representatives.
DEMOCRACY
A form of government where everyone has a voice.
CIVIC VIRTUE
In order to have a successful country the citizens must have pride in their country.
MIXED CONSTITUTION
Incorporated interests of all levels of society; various social classes. Divided and balanced form of government. Supports the common good because all classes are represented.
CHECKS & BALANCES
counterbalancing influences by which an organization or system is regulated, typically those ensuring that political power is not concentrated in the hands of individuals or groups. This is significant because it ensured that one branch would not gain too
SEPARATION OF POWERS
an act of vesting the legislative, executive, and judicial powers of government in separate bodies. This is significant because it avoided putting all of the power into one branch.
ADAMSIAN REPUBLICANISM
civic virtue is key and natural aristocracy gives leaders
HAMILTONIAN REPUBLICANISM
rational self-interest (doing things to benefit you and thus the community)
PAINEAN REPUBLICANISM
A less influential but more egalitarian than the other two types of Republicanism, which contained considerable opportunity for inequality; wanted to widen the general participation in politics, and wanted the government to respond directly to the needs o
FEDERALISM
A system of government in which power is divided between a central authority and constituent political units.
COMPOUND REPUBLIC
A Compound Republic is a government with a federal structure composed of two or more levels of government, each having total authority for specific collective decisions. The most popular compound republic is the American federal government.
RESERVED POWERS
Powers that are not written down, but assumed.
DELEGATED POWERS
Powers that are clearly stated in the Constitution.
CONCURRENT POWERS
Powers shared among the state and federal governments.
BILL OF RIGHTS
First 10 amendments to the Constitution that guaranteed rights to the people.
POSITIVE RIGHTS
Individual freedom promoted by more/direct expansion of government's role/power. *
Right of Healthcare
*Right to vote
NEGATIVE RIGHTS
Protect individual from too much government power. Restricting the power of government. *
Freedom of speech
*Freedom of religion
SLAVE TRADE CLAUSE
Issued in 1788, prohibiting slave trade beyond the year of 1808. In result, many slave owners imported great amounts of slaves.
FUGITIVE SLAVE ACT
Federal government protecting "property rights" of slave owner. If the slave were to run away to another slave, it would under slave owner's state. Example Slave runs Georgia to New york, the slave is still under property in Georgia and is not free.
SHAY'S REBELLION
Took place in 1786 when hundred of angry farmers gathered to rebel against the government. Many of these farmers were having economic difficulties and could not pay back money that they owed. Once the rebellion was over, many other states feared that such
FAILURE OF NERVE
The slavery compromise might have kept the Southern states in the Union- but at the ultimate price of the civil war"- the Framers did not have enough nerve (confidence) to actually stop slavery or make any changes for good motives. Their motives were rea