Anti-Federalist
An individual who opposed the ratification of the new Constitution in 1787
Amendment requirements
1) Propose: 2/3 House+2/3 Senate
Ratify: 3/4 state legislatures
or
2) Proposed: National convention called by Congress at the request of 2/3 state legislatures
Ratify: Convention is 3/4 States
Articles of Confederation
America's 1st constitution from 1781-1789. it provided a weak central government that included a unicameral assembly. It settled claims to western lands but were unable to demand revenues from the states or protect the people from armed rebellion.
Bill of Rights
The first 10 Amendments to the Constitution. They provide for protections from government interference. They were ratified in 1791 at the urgency of Anti-federalists as a final compromise.
checks and balances
A major principle of the American system of government whereby each branch of the government can check the actions of the other
confederation
A political system in which states or regional government retain ultimate authority except for those powers they expressly delegate to a central government
Declaration of Independence
A unanimous proclamation of the Second Continental Congress ( July, 4 1776) asserting the independence of the colonies from Great Britain
Necessary and Proper Clause or "Elastic Clause
The CONGRESS shall have the POWER to make all laws which shall be necessary and proper even if the power is NOT SPECIFICALLY granted in the Constitution. This makes our Constitution flexible by giving Congress the power to make laws that help it to carry
electoral college
a group of persons called electors selected by the voters in each state and the District of Columbia; this group officially elects the president and vice president of the US. The number of electors in each state is equal to the number of each state's repr
federal system
A system of government in which power is divided between a central government and regional, or subdivisional, governments
Federalist
The name given to one who was in favor of the adoption of the US Constitution and the creation of a federal union with a strong central government
Great Compromise
The compromise between the New Jersey and Virginia plans that created one chamber of the Congress based on population and one chambers representing each state equally; also called the Connecticut Compromise
Madisonian model
A structure of government in which the powers of the government are separated into 3 branches: executive, legislative, and judicial.
natural rights
Rights held to be inherent in natural law, not dependent on governments; life, liberty and property/pursuit of happiness
New Jersey Plan
Called for a one-house Congress in which each state had equal representation
ratification
Formal approval of states when amending the Constitution.
separation of powers
The principle of dividing governmental powers among different branches of government
social contract
A voluntary agreement among individuals to secure their rights and welfare by creating a government and abiding by its rules
Shay's Rebellion
A rebellion in 1787 when armed farmers seized county courthouses and showed that the government was unable to protect the citizenry from armed rebellion or provide adequately for the public welfare
supremacy doctrine
A doctrine that asserts the priority of national law over states laws
Three-Fifths compromise
A compromise that settled the issue of how to deal with slaves in the representational scheme. For purposes of representation in the House, only three-fifths of a state's total slave population were counted.
unicameral legislature
A legislature with only one legislative chamber, as opposed to a bicameral legislature
Virginia Plan
A proposed framework with a bicameral legislature, in which the house's members would be elected in proportion to state populations. The smaller states opposed the proposal, fearing they would lose influence to the larger states.
Legislative Branch
Makes Laws
Executive Branch
Enforces and executes laws
Judicial Branch
Interprets the laws