APUSH: Constitutional Convention and Ratification (55 Flashcards)

55 vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts from the Constitutional Convention, ratification debates, and the structure and powers of the U.S. government.

Articles of Confederation

The first national framework for the U.S. government; created a weak central government to protect state liberties but lacked power to tax, enforce laws, or regulate trade.

Shays' Rebellion

A 1786–87 uprising in Massachusetts that highlighted the Articles' weaknesses and spurred calls for a stronger national government.

Constitutional Convention (1787)

A meeting in Philadelphia where delegates replaced the Articles with a new framework—the U.S. Constitution.

Constitution

The supreme law of the United States, establishing three branches, checks and balances, and federalism.

Federalism

Division of power between national and state governments.

Popular sovereignty

The principle that the people hold the ultimate authority in government.

Limited government

The idea that government powers are restricted to those given by the people and the Constitution.

Separation of powers

Division of government into legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

Checks and balances

A system in which each branch can limit the powers of the others.

Supremacy Clause

Constitution is the supreme law of the land, overriding state constitutions and laws.

Elastic Clause (Necessary and Proper Clause)

Allows Congress to make laws needed to exercise its expressed powers.

Expressed powers

Powers explicitly listed in the Constitution for Congress.

Implied powers

Powers not listed but needed to carry out expressed powers.

Reserved powers

Powers kept for the states under federalism.

Concurrent powers

Powers shared by the national and state governments.

Bicameral Congress

A two-house legislature (Senate and House).

Unicameral Congress

A one-house legislature, proposed by the New Jersey Plan.

Senate

Upper chamber; two representatives from each state; six-year terms.

House of Representatives

Lower chamber; representation based on state population; two-year terms.

Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise)

Compromise creating a bicameral Congress with equal Senate representation and population-based House representation.

Virginia Plan

Plan proposing representation by population, favored by larger states.

New Jersey Plan

Plan proposing equal representation in a unicameral Congress, favored by smaller states.

Three-Fifths Compromise

Compromise counting three-fifths of enslaved people for representation in the House.

Slave Trade Compromise

Agreement allowing the continuation of the slave trade for 20 years and the return of runaway slaves.

Ratification

Official approval of the Constitution by the states; nine of thirteen required to take effect.

Federalists

Supporters of ratification who favored a strong national government.

Anti-Federalists

Opponents of ratification who feared centralized power and demanded protections like a Bill of Rights.

Bill of Rights

First ten amendments protecting individual liberties; added to secure ratification.

Federalist Papers

Essays arguing for ratification; written by Madison and Hamilton and others to persuade.

James Madison

Key author and negotiator; referred to as the Father of the Constitution for his pivotal role.

Alexander Hamilton

Federalist leader and author of some Federalist Papers; championed ratification.

Article I

Legislative Branch; outlines Congress and its powers.

Article II

Executive Branch; describes the Presidency and powers.

Article III

Judicial Branch; establishes the Supreme Court and lower courts.

We the People

Opening line asserting popular sovereignty and legitimacy of government.

Amendments

Formal changes or additions to the Constitution; articles outlining how to modify the document.

Amendment process

Method to change the Constitution (proposal and ratification) as described in Article V.

Ratification threshold

Nine of the thirteen states had to ratify for the Constitution to become law.

55 delegates

The number of delegates who attended the 1787 Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia.

Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists

Debate over ratification: Federalists favored strong national government; Anti-Federalists feared it and sought liberties protections.

Bill of Rights compromise

Deal to add a Bill of Rights to gain broader support for ratification.

Legislative process

Steps by which a bill becomes law: introduction, committee, debates, vote, and presidential action.

Treaty ratification

Senate's constitutional role to approve treaties negotiated by the President.

War powers

Constitutional roles: Congress declares war; President is Commander-in-Chief and leads armed forces.

Coin money

Power of Congress to mint and regulate currency.

Levy taxes

Power to impose taxes to fund government and welfare.

Borrow money

Power to incur debt through borrowing.

Regulate foreign and interstate commerce

Power to regulate trade with other nations and between states.

Establish federal courts

Power to create lower federal courts beneath the Supreme Court.

Naturalization laws

Powers to establish rules for becoming a citizen.

Post offices and roads

Establishes the postal system and related infrastructure.

Copyrights and patents

Laws to protect authors' rights and inventions.

President as Commander-in-Chief

Presidential role as head of the armed forces.

Presidential veto

Power of the President to reject a bill; can be overridden by a two-thirds vote in Congress.

Supreme Court

The highest court in the United States; interprets laws and resolves constitutional questions.