Government Test Ch 2-4

Federalits

People who supported the ratification and the US constitution and wanted a strong national government

New Jersey Plan

Proposal for the US government where each state would have the same number of representatives in Congress, no matter population

One-House (Unicameral) legislature

Publius

Pen name used by the writers of the federalist papers (JJ,JM,AH)

Royal Colony

A colony directly controlled by the king, who appointed its governor and officials.

Iroquois Confederation

A group of Native American tribes in the Northeast that formed an alliance for protection and to make decisions.

English Bill of Rights

A 1689 law that limited the kings power and gave Parliament and the people certain rights like free elections and protection from cruel punishment.

Framers

Group of leader who wrote the US Constitution

Federalists Papers

A series of essays written to explain and support the US constitution and convince people to ratify it.

Shays Rebellion

1786-1787 uprising of farmers in Massachusetts who protested high taxes and debt.

Petition of Rights

1628 English document that limited the kings power and protected citizens from unfair taxes, imprisonment, and military rule.

The Northwest Ordinance

A law passed in 1787 that set up rules for creating new states and banned slavery in the Northwest.

Virginia Decl. Of Rights

1778 document that declared people have basic rights, like freedom of speech and religion, and influenced the US Bill of Rights

3/5 Compromise

an agreement during the constitution convention that counted 3/5 of enslaved people for both representation and taxes.

Stamp Act

Made colonists pay tax on paper items, like newspaper and legal papers

Great Compromise

An agreement during the Constitutional Convention that created a two house Congress (house of Reps- Population) and (Senate - equal votes)

Magna Carta

Document signed in 1215 that limited power and gave certain right to the people like protection from unfair punishment.

Virginia Plan

Proposal for a new US government where representation in Congress would be based on states population.

Two- House (Bicameral) legislature

Articles of Confederation

The first plan of government for the US giving most power to the states and a weak central government.

Proprietary Colony

Colony owned and ruled by and individual or a group who the king gave permission to govern it.

Bill of Rights

The first 10 amendments to the constitution that protects citizens basic freedoms.

Charter Colony

Colony allowed them to govern themselves under a charter from the king.

Anti Federalists

People who opposed the US constitution because they wanted more power for the states and fears a strong national government.

New England Confederation

Plymouth, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Haven Defend against threats from Native Americans.

Ratified

Formally approved by the states (Formal Approval)

Unicameral

Single chamber/branch (Legislative)

Bicameral

Two chamber/Branches (Legislative)

Judicial Review

The power of courts to decide if laws or government actions follow the Constitution.

Repeal

Officially cancel or undo a law

1st Amendment

protects basic freedoms, including freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and the right to petition the government.

2nd Amendment

gives people the right to keep and bear arms (own and carry weapons)

4th Amendment

Protects people from unreasonable searches and seizures and says the government usually needs a warrant to search your property.

10th Amendment

any powers not given to the federal government belong to the states or the people

13th Amendment

Abolished slavery and made slavery illegal in the US

14th Amendment

Citizenship to anyone born in the US and guarantees equal protection under the law.

16th Amendment

allows the federal government to collect income taxes from people and businesses.

19th Amendment

gave women the right to vote in the US

21st Amendment

ended Prohibition, making the sale and use of alcohol legal again.

22nd Amendment

limits the president to two terms in office

23rd Amendment

Gives residents of Washington D.D the right to vote for president giving the district electoral votes

26th Amendment

lowered the voting age to 18. allowing more young people to vote.

Electoral College

the system the US uses to officially elect the president, where each state’s votes are based on its number of representatives in Congress.

Federalism

a system of government where power is shared between a national (federal) government and state governments.

executive agreement

a deal made between the president and another country that doesn’t need Senate approval

Unconstitutional

something goes against the rules or principles of the constitution and is not allowed by law.

Checks & Balances

a system where each branch of government can limit the power of the other branches to keep any one branch from becoming too powerful.

Separation of Powers

dividing the government into different branches (Legislative, executive, judicial) so no one branch has all the power.

Rule of Law

everyone must follow the law, and the law applies equally to all people, including leaders.

limited government

the governments power is restricted by laws and a constitution, so it cannot do whatever it wants.

popular sovereignty

the power of government comes from the people who rules by voting and making decisions though elections

veto

president’s power to reject a bill passed by Congress so it does not become law.

political party

a groups of people with similar beliefs about government who work together to get candidates elected and shape policies.

strict constructionist

believes the constitution should be followed exactly as it is written, and the government should only do what the constitution specifically allows.

loose constructionists

believe the constitution should be interpreted flexibly, allowing the government to do things that aren’t specifically listed but are implied

supermajority

more than a simple majority (over 50%) is needed to make a decision.

Federal Mandates

Rules the federal government requires states to follow, sometimes with money attached

Grants-in-Aid

Money given by the federal government to states for programs

Categorical Grants

Grants for a specific purpose, with strict rules on how to spend it

Block Grants

Grants that give states more freedom on how to spend the money

Full Faith & Credit

States must honor the laws, records, and court decisions of other states

Extradite

To return a criminal to the state or country where the crime was committed

Dual Federalism

 Early U.S. federalism where state and national governments had separate powers (“layer cake” federalism)

Cooperative Federalism

Federalism where state and national governments work together (“marble cake” federalism)

New Federalism

Modern effort to give more power back to the states, often through block grants