Unit 1: Constitutional Convention

Constitution

A document which spells out the principles by which a government runs and the fundamental laws that govern a society

Federalism

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

Executive

Enforces laws

Legislative

Makes laws

Judicial

Interprets the laws

Virginia Plan

"Large state" proposal for the new constitution, calling for proportional representation in both houses of a bicameral Congress. The plan favored larger states.

New Jersey Plan

The proposal at the Constitutional Convention that called for equal representation of each state in Congress regardless of the state's population. (small state plan)

The Great Compromise (Connecticut Plan)

Compromise made by Constitutional Convention in which states would have equal representation in one house of the legislature and representation based on population in the other house

Bicameral Legislature

A legislature consisting of two parts, or houses

⅗ Compromise

The population of slaves would be counted as three-fifths in total when apportioning Representatives

Electoral College

the body of electors who formally elect the United States president and vice-president; created by the Framers to act as a "safety net" against direct election by the people

proportional representation

Seats in the House of Representatives was divided based on the population of the states (states with bigger populations received more seats)

direct election

election of an official directly by the people

Supremacy Clause

Federal law is supreme over state law

Slave Trade Compromise

Congress could not regulate or outlaw slavery or slave trade until 1808

veto

Chief executive's power to reject a bill passed by a legislature

Unicameral

One-house legislature

Bill of Rights compromise

The compromise that the Constitution would be passed (ratified) only if a Bill of Rights would be added