anti- federalists
opponents of the constitution during its debate
bill of rights
the first ten amendments of the constitution; a statement of fundamental rights and privileges
checks and balances
system of divided spheres of authority provided by the constitution as a mean of controlling powers of gov't
confederation
an alliance of groups or people allowing each member to govern itself but agreeing to work together for common causes
constitution
the document of the fundamental law that defines how a gov't will legitimately operate
enumerated powers
the seventeen powers granted to the national gov't in the US constitution
federal system
a system of gov't in which the same territory is controlled by two powers of gov't
federalists
supporters of the constitution during its debate
full faith and credit clause
in the US constitution; states must give full credit to the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of other states
great compromise
agreement from the constitutional convention to create a 2-chamber congress w/the house by population and the senate equally by state
implied powers
the authority of the federal gov't to take action not expressed in the constitution but that supports authorized actions
necessary and proper clause
the authority of the federal gov't to make all laws "necessary and proper" for the implementing of its enumerated powers
new jersey plan
proposal to create a weak national gov't
separation of powers
sharing of constitutional authority by multiple branches of gov't
shay's rebellion
a 1787 rebellion in which ex-revolutionary war soldiers attempted to prevent foreclosures of farms as a result of high interest rates and taxes
social contract
an unofficial agreement shared by everyone in a society in which they give up some freedoms for security
social contract theory
people live together in society in accordance w/an agreement that establishes moral and political rules of behavior
supremacy clause
federal constitution and law generally take importance over state laws and state constitutions
three- fifths compromise
every enslaved american would be counted as 3/5's of a person for taxation and representation purposes
virginia plan
proposal to create a strong national gov't
plato
"The Republic"
thomas hobbes
"Leviathan"
john locke
"Two Treatises of Civil Government"
charles de montesquieu
"On the Spirit of Laws"
jean-jacques rousseau
"Social Contract"