1 B vocab

bicameralism

the principle of a two-house legislature

New Jersey plan

proposal at the constitutional convention for a central government with a single-house legislature in which beach state would be represented equally

Virginia plan

initial proposal at the constitutional convention for a strong central government with a bicameral legislature dominated by the big states

great compromise (Connecticut)

Agreement at the constitutional convention that established a two-house legislature; house representation based on population, senate representation two for each state

Electoral college

the body of electors established by the constitution to elect the president and vice president of the United States

Three-fifths compromise

a compromise where each enslaved person would be counted as three-fifths of a person for the purpose of taxation and representation in congress

Checks and balances

a system that allows each branch of government to amend or veto acts of another branch, so as to prevent any one branch from exerting too much power

Separation of powers

the division of government responsibilities into distinct branches to limit any one branch from exercising the core function of another

Enumerated/expressed powers

the specific powers granted to the federal government, particularly congress, as explicitly listed in the US constitution. These powers are primarily found in article 1 section 8 of the constitution

Implied powers

powers the federal government (specifically congress) are assumed to have however are not explicitly stated in the constitution

concurrent powers

powers shared by both the federal and state governments