CPUSH Chapter 2 — Birth of a Nation Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary terms and definitions from CPUSH Chapter 2 study guide covering the Articles of Confederation, Constitutional Convention, constitutional principles, compromises, and government structure.

Articles of Confederation

The first U.S. Constitution, which created a weak central/federal government and gave most power to the states.

Debt

Money the government owed, especially from the Revolutionary War.

Inflation

A major increase in prices that causes money to lose purchasing power.

Northwest Ordinance

The major success of the Articles of Confederation that organized townships, required land for public schools, protected basic rights, banned slavery in the Northwest Territory, and established a process for territories to become states.

Shays' Rebellion

A rebellion by farmers in Massachusetts angry over high taxes and debt, which demonstrated that the Articles of Confederation were too weak to effectively stop unrest or raise an army.

Constitutional Convention

A 1787 meeting where delegates created the U.S. Constitution to replace and fix the problems caused by the Articles of Confederation.

James Madison

Known as the Father of the Constitution; he wrote the first draft and played a major role in creating the Constitution.

George Washington

The leader who presided over the Constitutional Convention.

Virginia Plan

A proposal supported by large states that advocated for representation based on population and a bicameral legislature.

New Jersey Plan

A proposal supported by small states that advocated for equal representation for every state and a unicameral legislature.

Great Compromise

An agreement that solved the representation debate between large and small states by creating a bicameral Congress consisting of the House of Representatives (based on population) and the Senate (2 senators per state).

Three-Fifths Compromise

An agreement between Northern and Southern states to count three-fifths of the enslaved population for both representation and taxation purposes.

Preamble

The introduction to the Constitution beginning with 'We the People…', indicating that the government derives its authority from the people.

Consent of the Governed

The principle that the people give the government its authority.

Natural Rights

Fundamental rights belonging to citizens that the government is responsible for protecting.

Legislative Branch

The branch of government (Congress) responsible for making laws.

Executive Branch

The branch of government (headed by the President) responsible for enforcing laws.

Judicial Branch

The branch of government (headed by the Supreme Court) responsible for interpreting laws.

Separation of Powers

The division of governmental authority into three distinct branches (legislative, executive, judicial) to prevent any single branch from becoming too powerful, an idea influenced by Montesquieu.

Checks and Balances

A system giving each branch of government powers to check or limit the other branches, preventing one branch from acquiring excessive power.

Federalism

A system where governmental power is divided and shared between the federal government and state governments.

Republicanism

A principle of government where citizens elect representatives to make decisions and vote on laws on their behalf.

Democracy

A system of government where the people hold the ultimate political power.

Republic

A system of government in which citizens elect representatives to govern.

Federalists

Supporters of the Constitution who favored a strong federal government, led by figures like Alexander Hamilton and James Madison.

Anti-Federalists

Critics of the Constitution who feared a strong national government, favored stronger state governments, and demanded a Bill of Rights to protect individual liberties.

Federalist Papers

A collection of essays written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay to convince states to ratify the Constitution.

Ratification

The formal approval of the Constitution by the states, which required approval from 9 out of 13 states.

Bill of Rights

The first 10 amendments to the Constitution, designed to protect individual liberties and restrict government power.

First Amendment

Constitutional amendment that protects five individual freedoms: Religion, Speech, Press, Assembly, and Petition (R-S-P-A-P).

Necessary and Proper Clause

Also known as the Elastic Clause or Implied Powers Clause, it grants Congress authority to make laws necessary to carry out its constitutional powers.

Judicial Review

The power of the Supreme Court to declare laws unconstitutional, established by the case Marbury v. Madison.

Commander in Chief

The constitutional role of the President as the leader of the United States military.

Veto

The executive power of the President to reject a bill passed by Congress.

Impeachment

The formal process of charging a public official with wrongdoing while in office, which does not automatically result in removal.

Amendment

A formal change or addition to the Constitution.

Commerce

The buying and selling of goods.

Diplomat

An official chosen to represent a country abroad.

Treaty

A formal agreement established between nations.

Constitutional

Actions or laws that are allowed and permitted by the Constitution.

Individual Rights

Personal liberties protected from government abuse.