U.S. Constitutional Foundations and Political Theories

Declaration of Independence

A document written in 1776 declaring the American colonies' independence from Britain.

Enlightenment ideas

Natural rights, Popular sovereignty, and republicanism

what two enlightenment ideas are in the declaration of Independence

natural rights and popular sovereignty

Federalist papers

A collection of 85 articles written by Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison under the name "Publius" to defend the Constitution in detail.

Natural Rights

the idea that all humans are born with rights, which include the right to life, liberty, and property

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the Constitution

popular sovereignty

A belief that ultimate power resides in the people.

Social Contract

An agreement between the people and their government signifying their consent to be governed

consent of the governed

People are the source of any and all governmental power

limited government

The idea that certain restrictions should be placed on government to protect the natural rights of citizens.

Elite Democracy

a model of democracy in which a small number of people, who are wealthy and well-educated, influence political decision making

Fed 10

A strong republic is needed to guard us from the rise of factions. (James Madison)

what type of democracy is fed 10 arguing for

pluralist democracy

Factions

Political groups that agree on objectives and policies

how did madison propose to handle factions

manage there affects

Judicial review

The power of the courts to declare laws unconstitutional

Writ of habeas corpus

A court order requiring explanation to a judge why a prisoner is being held in custody.

Separation of Powers

Constitutional division of powers where the legislative branch makes law, the executive enforces the law, and the judiciary interpreting the law

what is an executives branch's checking

veto

Three-fifths Compromise

Agreement that each slave counted as three-fifths of a person in determining representation in the House for representation and taxation purposes

Fed 51

Checks and balances, separation of powers. "If all men were angels..."

Checks and balances

A system that allows each branch of government to limit the powers of the other branches in order to prevent abuse of power

Republic

A form of government in which citizens choose their leaders by voting

Implied Powers

Powers not specifically mentioned in the constitution

Federalists

supporters of the Constitution

Necessary and Proper Clause

Constitutional clause that gives congress the power to make all laws "necessary and proper" for executing its powers

Anti-Federalists

people who opposed the Constitution

what kind of democracy did anti federalist want?

Participatory democracy

Pluralist democracy

A system where many interest groups influence government and policy, not just one elite group.

Articles of Confederation

A weak constitution that governed America during the Revolutionary War. ( no president, no taxing, no army)

Participatory democracy

a system of democracy in which all members of a community participate collectively in making major decisions

Ratification

official approval

Enumerated Powers

Powers given to the national government alone

Shay's Rebellion

A 1786 uprising of farmers in Massachusetts that showed the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.

Impeachment

Charges against a president approved by a majority of the House of Representatives

VIrgina plan

Supported by larger states and wanted seats based on population of states

New jersey plan

A constitutional proposal that would have given each state one vote in a new congress

Great Compromise

Compromise made by Constitutional Convention in which states would have equal representation in the senate and representation based on population in the house of reps

what did the great compromise create

bicameral legislature

grand committee

a committee at the Constitutional Convention that worked out the compromise on representation

Electoral College compromise

how to amend the Constitution (article 5)

2/3 of both houses in congress must approve

then amendment must be ratified by the legislatures of at least 3/4 of the states

Brutus 1

It is impossible to have a Large republic and have a stable government.

federalism

A system in which power is divided between the national and state governments

exclusive powers

powers only the national government may use

reserved powers

Powers given to the state government alone

concurrent powers

powers shared by the national and state governments

No child left behind act

requiring states to qualify for federal educational funding by administering standardized tests to measure school achievement.

tenth amendment

Amendment stating that the powers not delegated to the federal gov. are reserved to the states

Fourteenth Amendment

A constitutional amendment giving full rights of citizenship to all people born or naturalized in the United States, except for American Indians.