AP Government - Chapter 2 Vocab

Articles of Confederation

Articles of Confederation

The document that laid out the first form of government for the new nation

Shay’s Rebellion

An armed uprising in western Massachusetts in opposition to high taxation and insufficient economic policies that exposed concern over the weaknesses of the national government under the Articles of Confederation

Bicameral

Two-House Legislature (House of Representatives and the Senate)

Bill of Rights

The first 10 amendments of the US Constitution which gave the people essential rights

Constitutional Convention

A meeting to address the failed Articles of Confederationand draft a Constitution

Electoral College

Created a system for electing the president by electors from each state rather than by popular vote or by congressional vote

Great Compromise

Created a dual (bicameral) system of congressional representation with the House of Representatives based on each state’s population and the Senate representing each state equally

New Jersey Plan

Assured states their sovereignty through a national government with limited and defined powers. This plan also had no national court system and each state would have one vote in a legislative body.

Ratification

The act of consenting to the U.S. Constitution through the state ratification conventions, requiring 9 of the 13 states to ratify per Article VII of the U.S. Constitution

Three-Fifths Compromise

Provided a formula for calculating a state’s enslaved population for purposes of representation in the House and for taxation

Virginia Plan

Called for a three branch system with a national executive, a judiciary, and a bicameral legislature. Made the national government supreme over the states

Article V

Entailed either a two-thirds vote in both houses or a proposal from two-thirds of the state legislatures, with final ratification determined by three-fourths of the state to propose amendments to the consitution

Every Student Succeeds Act

States are free to determine their own standards for educational achievement, while still upholding protections for disadvantaged students

No Child Left Behind

Called for improvements in teaching methods, testing to measure progress, and sanctions for underperforming schools

Race to the Top

Offered incentives, rather than the sanctions of NCLB, for states to adopt new national standards or develop their own that require students to be college and career-ready at graduation

USA Patriot Act

It allowed government agencies to share information about significant suspects, and it widened authority on tapping suspect’s phones

Checks and Balances

Each branch can limit the others (impeachment, judicial review, veto power)

Federalist No. 51

Explains how constitutional provisions of separation of powers and checks and balances control potential abuses by majorities

Separation of Powers

Specific and separate powers delegated to Congress, the president, and the courts allow each branch to check and balance the power of the other branches, ensuring no one branch becomes too powerful; creates multiple access points for stakeholders and institutions to influence public policy

Stakeholders

People or groups who will be affected by new policies

Advice and Consent

The senate can suggest appointees and must formally approve most presidential appointments. Appointed cabinet secretaries and Supreme Court judges sit before a senate committee for their confirmation hearings

Impeachment

The House formally changes an official with abuse of power or misconduct

Pocket Veto

When the president receives a bill at the end of a legislative session and he refuses to sign

Two-Thirds Override

When the congress overrides a veto from the president with a two-thirds majority vote in both houses of Congress

Veto

Saying no to a bill