UNIT 2 VOCAB

Articles of Confederation

The first governing document of the confederated states drafted in 1777, ratified in 1781, and replaced by the present Constitution in 1789.

Shays’s Rebellion

Rebellion led by Daniel Shays of farmers in western Massachusetts in 1786-1787, protesting mortgage foreclosures.

Separation of powers

Constitutional division of powers among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

Federalism

Constitutional arrangement in which power is distributed between federal government and state governments.

Federalist Papers

A series of essays written to persuade state legislators to ratify the US Constitution.

US Constitution

Governing document of the United States written in 1787 that outlines the goals and powers of government, as well as the rights of its citizens.

Bicameralism

The principle of a two-house legislature.

Federalists

Supporters of ratification of the Constitution and of a strong central government.

Antifederalists

Opponents of ratification of the Constitution and of a strong central government.

Judicial review

The power of a court to refuse to enforce a law or a regulation that conflicts with the U.S. Constitution.

Enumerated powers

Powers the Constitution specifically grants to Congress.

Necessary and proper clause

Clause of the Constitution that sets forth the implied powers of Congress.

Reserved Powers

Powers not explicitly stated in the Constitution but held by the states, derived from the 10th Amendment.

Concurrent powers

Powers that the Constitution gives to both the national and state governments,
such as the power to levy taxes.

National supremacy

Doctrine that the actions of the federal government will prevail over those of state or local government in case of conflict.

Writ of Habeas Corpus

Order that requires law enforcement to produce a prisoner and explain why they are being held.

Ex post facto law

Retroactive criminal law that works to the disadvantage of a person.

Bill of attainder

Legislative act inflicting punishment without a trial, on named individuals or members of a specific group.

Initiative

Procedure where a certain number of voters may propose a law or constitutional amendment by petition.

Referendum

Procedure for submitting measures passed by the legislature to a popular vote.

Recall

Procedure for submitting the removal of officials from office to popular vote.

Preemption

State laws that remove authority over a certain subject from Local Governments.

Commerce clause

Clause in the Constitution that gives Congress the power to regulate all business activities that cross state lines.

Dual federalism

Programs and authority are clearly divided among the national, state, and local governments.

Cooperative federalism

Programs and authority are mixed among the national, state, and local governments.

Devolution revolution

The effort to slow federal government growth by returning many functions to the states.

Federal mandate

A requirement the federal government imposes as a condition for receiving federal funds.

Categorical grants

Funds appropriated by Congress for a specific purpose.

Block grants

These are broad state grants to states for prescribed activities—welfare, child care,
education, social services, preventive health care, and health services—with only a few strings attached.

Earmarks

Special spending projects set aside for individual members of Congress for their constituents.