American Founding, Constitutional Convention, and Federalism Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts, historical plans, constitutional articles, and principles of governance from the lecture.

Autonomy and Hard Work

The capacity to pursue any path in life through dedicated hard work, serving as a core concept of the American Dream.

Character over Appearance

The ideal of being evaluated and known for individual character rather than physical appearance or demographic background.

John Locke's Purpose of Government

Asserted that the fundamental purpose of government is to preserve an individual's right to property.

Thomas Jefferson's Purpose of Government

Stated in the Declaration of Independence that governments are instituted among men specifically to secure fundamental natural rights.

Politics

The explicit mechanism used to resolve societal disputes regarding the definition of the American Dream and the scope of government.

Committee of Five

The authors of the Declaration of Independence, consisting of Thomas Jefferson (Virginia), John Adams (Massachusetts), Benjamin Franklin (Pennsylvania), Roger Sherman (Connecticut), and Robert R. Livingston (New York).

Constitutional Convention of 1787 Logistics

Held from May 25, 1787 – September 17, 1787, attended by 55 delegates, more than half of whom were lawyers or judges.

The Virginia Plan

A constitutional proposal featuring three branches, a bicameral legislature with proportional representation based on state population, an executive chosen by the legislature, and one or more supreme tribunals with life tenure.

The New Jersey Plan

A constitutional proposal featuring three branches, a unicameral legislature with equal state representation, a single executive serving a one-year term, and a Supreme Tribunal appointed by the executive with limited jurisdiction.

The Hamilton Plan

A constitutional proposal directly inspired by the British model, featuring a bicameral legislature with a life-tenure Senate, and an executive chosen by electors to serve life tenure with absolute veto power.

Article I

Establishes the legislative power vested in Congress (House of Representatives and Senate) and grants the sole power of impeachment to the House of Representatives.

Article II

Establishes the executive branch of the U.S. government headed by the President.

Article III

Establishes the judicial branch of the U.S. government headed by the federal court system.

Full Faith and Credit Clause

A provision in Article IV requiring every state to respect and honor the public acts, records, and judicial rulings of every other state.

Privileges and Immunities Clause

A provision in Article IV preventing states from discriminating against citizens of other states, ensuring visiting citizens receive the same fundamental rights as local residents.

Supremacy Clause

A provision in Article VI establishing that the U.S. Constitution, federal laws, and treaties constitute the supreme law of the land, prevailing over conflicting state laws.

Article VII Ratification

Mandated formal approval by special state conventions in 9 out of 13 states; achieved on June 21, 1788, when New Hampshire became the ninth state to approve.

Article V Amendment Process

Requires proposal via congressional vote (two-thirds majority in both houses) and ratification through state legislative action or state conventions (three-fourths majority of states).

Bill of Rights

Consists of the first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution, which protect individual liberties and place explicit limits on federal government power.

Civil War Amendments

The collection of constitutional amendments that includes the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments.

Social Contract Theory

The political theory that individuals surrender a portion of their absolute freedom and agree to follow moral and political rules in exchange for safety, order, and protection from society or government.

Police Power

The inherent authority of a government to enact laws and regulations to protect the public health, safety, morals, and general welfare.

Four Pillars of Police Power

The four specific domains protected under police power: 1. Health, 2. Safety, 3. Morals, and 4. General Welfare.

Federalism

A governmental system where power is divided between a central national government and smaller state or regional governments.

Dual Federalism

A model of federalism where the federal and state governments maintain distinct, non-overlapping spheres of power.

Cooperative Federalism

A model of federalism where national and state governments share power and work collaboratively to resolve public problems.