Gov Mid term

Articles of Confederation

First U.S. government (1781) with a very weak central government; lacked power to tax, regulate trade, or enforce laws.

Shays' Rebellion

1786 rebellion by farmers that exposed weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and helped lead to the Constitutional Convention.

Constitutional Convention

Meeting in 1787 where delegates created the U.S. Constitution and redesigned the national government.

Virginia Plan

Proposed representation based on population; favored large states.

New Jersey Plan

Proposed equal representation for each state; favored small states.

Great Compromise

Created a bicameral Congress: House based on population and Senate with equal representation.

Three-Fifths Compromise

Counted enslaved people as 3/5 of a person for representation and taxation.

Judicial Interpretation

Most common way the Constitution’s meaning changes through court decisions.

Judicial Review

Power of courts to declare laws unconstitutional.

Marbury v. Madison

Supreme Court case that established judicial review.

Jurisdiction

Authority of a court to hear and decide a case.

Stare Decisis

Legal principle that courts follow precedent from previous cases.

Judicial Activism

When courts take an active role in interpreting the Constitution and shaping policy.

Judicial Restraint

When courts avoid overturning laws and defer to elected branches.

Electoral College

System used to elect the president where electors cast votes for candidates.

Electoral Votes

Number of electors a state has (House members + 2 senators).

Faithless Elector

Elector who votes differently than the candidate they pledged to support.

Executive Order

Directive issued by the president that has the force of law for federal agencies.

Commander in Chief

Role of the president as leader of the U.S. military.

Chief Diplomat

Role of the president managing foreign policy and treaties.

Chief of State

Role of the president as ceremonial leader and symbol of the nation.

Chief Executive

Role of the president enforcing federal laws and overseeing agencies.

Chief Legislator

Role of the president influencing the lawmaking process.

Party Leader

Role of the president as leader of their political party.

Power to Persuade

President’s ability to influence Congress and the public to support policies.

Going Public

Strategy where the president appeals directly to citizens to pressure Congress.

Coattail Effect

When a popular president helps members of their party win elections.

Honeymoon Period

First months of a president’s term when approval is high and legislation is easier to pass.

Lame Duck Period

Time between the November election and the inauguration in January.

Bicameral Legislature

Legislature with two chambers (House and Senate).

Delegate Model

Representatives vote based on the preferences of their constituents.

Trustee Model

Representatives use their own judgment to make decisions.

Politico Model

Combination of delegate and trustee approaches.

Standing Committees

Permanent congressional committees that handle most legislation.

Joint Committees

Committees with members from both the House and Senate.

Conference Committee

Temporary committee that resolves differences between House and Senate versions of a bill.

Select Committee

Temporary committee created for a specific issue or investigation.

Speaker of the House

Most powerful leader in the House of Representatives.

Majority Leader

Leader of the majority party in Congress.

Minority Leader

Leader of the minority party in Congress.

Whip

Party leader responsible for gathering votes and maintaining party discipline.

President of the Senate

Role held by the Vice President who presides over the Senate.

President Pro Tempore

Senator who presides when the Vice President is absent.

Bill

Proposed law introduced in Congress.

Committee Stage

Step where bills are reviewed and debated before reaching the floor.

Rules Committee

House committee that sets rules for debate on a bill.

Presidential Veto

President rejects a bill passed by Congress.

Pocket Veto

When a president does not sign a bill and Congress adjourns within 10 days.

Veto Override

Congress can pass a bill despite a veto with a two-thirds vote.

Redistricting

Redrawing congressional district boundaries every 10 years.

Gerrymandering

Manipulating district boundaries to gain political advantage.

Packing

Concentrating opposing voters into a small number of districts.

Cracking

Spreading opposing voters across many districts to weaken their influence.

Incumbency Advantage

Benefits current officeholders have when running for reelection.

Open Seat

Election where no incumbent is running.

Credit Claiming

When legislators take credit for bringing government resources to their district.

Casework

Helping constituents solve problems with government agencies.

Seniority

Length of time a member has served in Congress.

Seniority Rule

Longest-serving member of the majority party often becomes committee chair.

Two-Party System

Political system dominated by two major parties.

Historical Dualism

Tradition of two major competing political parties in U.S. history.

Median Voter Theory

Parties move toward moderate positions to win the most votes.

Self-Perpetuation

Major parties maintain dominance through resources and organization.

Party Realignment

Major shift in political party support among voters.