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amendment
a change added to a bill, law or constitution
Anti-Federalists
those who favored strong state governments and a weak national government and were opponents of the constitution proposed at the American Constitutional Convention
bicameral
having a legislative assembly composed of two chambers or houses
Bill of Rights
the first 10 amendments to the Constitution
checks and balances
mechanisms through which each branch of government is able to participate in and influence the activities of the other branches
confederaton
a system of government in which states retain sovereign authority except for powers expressly delegated to the national government
electoral college
the electors from each state who meet after the popular election to cast ballots for president and vice president
federalism
a system of government in which power is divided, by a constitution, between the central government and regional governments
Federalist Papers
a series of essays written by James Madison, Alexander Hamilton and John Jay supporting the ratification of the Constitution
Great Compromise
the agreement reached a the Constitutional Convention that gave each state an equal number of senators regardless of population but linked representation to population in the House of Representatives
limited government
a principle of constitutional government
New Jersey Plan
a framework for the Constitution that called for equal state representation in the national legislature regardless of population
Virginia Plan
a framework for the Constitution that called for representation in the national legislature based on the population of each state
tyranny
oppressive and unjust government that employs cruel and unjust use of power and authority
Three-Fifths Compromise
slaves will count as 3/5ths of a person for the purpose of taxation and representation
Federalist
those who favored a strong national government and supported the ratification of the Constitution
Articles of Confederation
America's first written constitution; served as the basis for America's national government until 1789
Elastic Clause
Article I, Section 8, of the Constitution, which allows Congress to make all laws that are "necessary and proper" to carry out the powers of the Constitution.
expressed powers
specific powers granted by the Constitution to Congress (Article I, Section 8) and to the president (Article II)
judicial review
the power of the courts to review and, if necessary, declare actions of the legislative and executive branches invalid or unconstitutional; the Supreme Court asserted this power in Marbury v. Madison
separation of powers
the division of governmental power among several institutions that must cooperate in decision making
supremacy clause
Article VI of the Constitution, which states that laws passed by the national government and all treaties are the supreme law of the land and superior to all laws adopted by any state or any subdivision
