VQ Unit 1

Anti-Federalist

They opposed the Constitution's powerful centralized government, arguing that the Constitution gave too much political, economic, and military control. They instead advocated a decentralized governmental structure that granted most power to the states

bicameral

2 chambers; Congress has the Senate and the House of Representatives

Checks and Balances

A system that allows each branch of government to limit the powers of the other branches in order to prevent abuse of power

commerce clause

gives Congress the power to regulate all business activities that cross state lines or affect more than one state or other nations.

Electoral College

Entity that is selected by the voters of each state that meets to choose the chief executive

enumerated powers

Powers specifically given to Congress in the Constitution; including the power to collect taxes, coin money, regulate foreign and interstate commerce, and declare war.

extradition

states are expected to return fugitives to states where the crime was committed

federalists

Supporters of the Constitution They firmly believed the national government should be strong. They did not want the Bill of Rights because they felt citizens' rights were already well protected by the Constitution

Great Compromise

between the large and small states of the colonies. The Great Compromise resolved that there would be representation by population in the House of Representatives, and equal representation would exist in the Senate. Each state, regardless of size, would have 2 senators.

impeachment

accusation and indictment of wrongdoing.  House votes and Senate hold the trial.

judicial review

Court deems and act of the legislature unconstitutional

national supremacy

States must adhere to national laws and treaties

necessary and proper clause

(Article I, Section 8, Clause 18) setting forth the implied powers of Congress.

popular sovereignty

A government in which the people rule by their own consent.

reserved powers

Powers not specifically granted to the national government or denied to the states and are held by the states through the Tenth Amendment.

separation of powers

Constitutional division of powers among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, with the legislative branch making law, the executive applying and enforcing the law, and the judiciary interpreting the law

social contract

A voluntary agreement among individuals to secure their rights and welfare by creating a government and abiding by its rules.

supremacy clause

Article VI of the Constitution, which makes the Constitution, national laws, and treaties supreme over state laws when the national government is acting within its constitutional limits.

Three-fifths compromise

Allowed slaves to be counted as 3/5ths of a person towards representation and taxation

veto

Chief executive's power to reject a bill passed by a legislature

Americans with Disabilities Act

Made public sector buildings and transportation systems accessible for disabled individuals.

Block grants

Differ from categorical grants in that they offer larger sums of money to the states to take care of some large, overarching purpose, without the strings of the categorical grants.

Categorical grants

Grants with particular congressional guidelines or requirements

Commerce clause

Certifies Congress’s authority over most commercial activity

Concurrent powers

Powers held by authorities at both levels, state and federal.

Conditions of aid/strings

Restrictions that states must meet to qualify for aide

Cooperative federalism

the intermingled relationships among the national, state, and local governments to deliver services

Delegated powers

(Expressed powers) those the Constitution delegates to the federal government, listed in Article I, Section 8, and the job descriptions for the president and the courts in Articles II and III, respectively.

Devolution

The continued effort to return original reserved powers to the states

Extradition

Obligates states to deliver captured fugitive criminals back to the state where they committed the original crime.

Federalism

The sharing of power between a central government and equally sovereign regional governments, became a key part of the framework to secure liberty while also dividing respective powers among multiple authorities.

Full faith and credit clause

Each state required to give legal respect “to the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of every other state.

Grants-in-aid

Congress directs federal funds to states that qualify for aid. Helps states take care of basic state needs.

Implied powers

Powers not specifically listed in the Constitution but deriving from the elastic clause.

Mandates

Require states to comply with a federal directive, sometimes with the reward of funds and sometimes without.

Privileges and immunities clause

Declares “citizens of each state shall be entitled to all privileges and immunities of citizens in the several states.”

Reserved powers

Powers not specifically listed, and thus remain with the states

Revenue sharing

A policy under cooperative federalism that requires both national and local funds for programs

Tenth Amendment

Powers not delegated to the federal government reserved by the states.

Unitary government

Single governing authority in a central capital with the uniform law throughout the land.