Foundations of American Government

Flashcards covering key terms and principles from the Foundations of American Government.

Disestablish

To separate an official state church from its connection with the government.

Checks and Balances

A principle of the Constitution that allows each of the 3 branches to exert some control over the other branches.

Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom

Measure enacted by the Virginia legislature prohibiting state support for religious institutions and recognizing freedom of worship.

James Madison

Widely considered the 'Father of the Constitution' for his Virginia Plan.

Legislative Branch

The branch of the U.S. government that makes the laws.

Executive Branch

The branch of the U.S. government that enforces the laws.

Popular Sovereignty

The principle that means the people are the most important source of governmental power.

Federalism

A system where there is a strong national government, and power is divided between federal and state governments.

Separation of Powers

The principle that divides the government into 3 branches to prevent any one group or individual from becoming too powerful.

Bill of Rights

The 1st ten amendments to the Constitution that guarantee rights and freedoms to Americans.

Free Market

An economic system where individuals and businesses can buy and sell freely without government interference.

Congress

The lawmaking body of the legislative branch made up of the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Constitution

The document on which the U.S. government is based; known as the supreme law of the U.S.

Philadelphia, 1787

The location and year when the Constitutional Convention was held.

Articles of Confederation

The first American constitution that established the U.S. as a loose confederation of states under a weak national Congress.

Northwest Territory

Territories acquired by the federal government, encompassing land northwest of the Ohio River.

Northwest Ordinance of 1787

Policy for administering the Northwest Territories that included a path to statehood.

Shays's Rebellion

A rebellion by debtors and impoverished farmers against the Massachusetts government in 1786.

Land Ordinance of 1785

Provided for the sale of land in the Old Northwest to repay the national debt.

Patrick Henry

An American revolutionary and prominent antifederalist opposing the Constitution.

Virginia Plan

Large state proposal calling for proportional representation in both houses of Congress.

New Jersey Plan

Small-state plan proposing equal representation by state in a unicameral legislature.

Great Compromise

Measure that reconciled the New Jersey and Virginia Plans, establishing proportional representation in the House and equal representation in the Senate.

3/5 Compromise

Determined how each slave would be counted for apportioning taxes and representation, granting power to southern slave states.

Antifederalists

Opponents of the 1787 Constitution who feared encroachments on individual liberties.

Federalists

Proponents of the 1787 Constitution favoring a strong national government.

The Federalist Papers

Essays written to lay out the federalists' arguments in favor of the new Constitution.

Civic Virtue

Willingness of citizens to sacrifice personal self-interest for the public good.

Republican Motherhood

Ideal stressing the role of women in guiding family members toward republican virtue.