U.S. Constitutional Foundations and Political Theories

Declaration of Independence

A document written in 1776 declaring the American colonies' independence from Britain.

Federalist papers

A collection of 85 articles written by Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison under the name "Publius" to defend the Constitution in detail.

Natural Rights

the idea that all humans are born with rights, which include the right to life, liberty, and property

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the Constitution

Consent of the governed

The idea that government gets its authority by the consent of the people.

Elite Democracy

a model of democracy in which a small number of people, who are wealthy and well-educated, influence political decision making

Factions

Political groups that agree on objectives and policies

Judicial review

The power of the courts to declare laws unconstitutional

Writ of habeas corpus

A court order requiring explanation to a judge why a prisoner is being held in custody.

Separation of Powers

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

Three-fifths Compromise

Agreement that each slave counted as three-fifths of a person in determining representation in the House for representation and taxation purposes

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

Great Compromise

Compromise made by Constitutional Convention in which states would have equal representation in one house of reps and representation based on population in the other house

Republic

A form of government in which citizens choose their leaders by voting

Implied Powers

Powers not specifically mentioned in the constitution

Federalists

supporters of the Constitution

Necessary and Proper Clause

Constitutional clause that gives congress the power to make all laws "necessary and proper" for executing its powers

Anti-Federalists

people who opposed the Constitution

Pluralist democracy

A system where many groups influence government and policy, not just one elite group.

Articles of Confederation

A weak constitution that governed America during the Revolutionary War.

Participatory democracy

a theory of democracy that holds that citizens should actively and directly control all aspects of their lives

Ratification

official approval

Enumerated Powers

Powers given to the national government alone

Shay's Rebellion

A 1786 uprising of farmers in Massachusetts that showed the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.

Impeachment

Charges against a president approved by a majority of the House of Representatives

VIrgina plan

Supported by larger states and wanted seats based on population of states

New jersey plan

A constitutional proposal that would have given each state one vote in a new congress