CP Political Science Unit 1 (Vocab, ppl and amendments)

Framers

The individuals who contributed to drafting the U.S. Constitution.

Executive Power

The authority given to a single person (President) to enforce laws and oversee government operations, as outlined in Article II of the Constitution.

Virginia Plan

Outlined a strong national government with three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial.

Government

The institution through which a society makes and enforces its public policies.

State

A political entity with a defined territory, government, and sovereignty.

New Jersey Plan

Called for equal representation of the states in Congress instead of the number of votes being based on population.

Connecticut Compromise

A compromise between the Virginia and New Jersey Plans that created a bicameral legislature. In the Senate, States would be represented equally. In the House, representation would be based on population.

Sovereign

Possessing supreme power or authority, independent from external control.

Three-Fifths Compromise

An agreement that counted each enslaved person as three-fifths of a person for purposes of representation and taxation.

Constitution

The supreme law of the United States, establishing the framework for government and outlining the rights of the citizens.

Articles of Confederation

The first governing document of the U.S., which created a weak federal government with limited powers. And was later replaced by the Constitution.

Commerce and Slave-Trade Compromise

An agreement that allowed Congress to regulate trade but prohibited interference with the slave trade for 20 years.

Ratification

The formal approval process of the Constitution or amendments.This process involves the consent of the states, usually requiring a specified majority to enact.

Federalists

Supporters of a strong central government and the Constitution, including James Madison and Alexander Hamilton.

Democracy

A system of government where power is vested in the people, either directly or through elected representatives.

Full Faith and Credit

The constitutional requirement that states must recognize and respect the laws and judicial decisions of other states.

Anti-Federalists

Opponents of a strong central government who feared it would infringe on states' rights.

Public Policies

Laws, regulations, and government actions that address societal issues.

Legislative Power

The authority to make laws, vested in Congress.

Judicial Power

The authority to interpret laws and determine their constitutionality, as established in Article III.

Bicameral

A legistalitive system with two chamber, such as the US Congress (House of Representatives and Senate).

Federalism

A system of government in which power is divided between a central authority and regional governments.

Exclusive Powers

Powers reserved only for the federal government.

Popular Sovereignty

The principle that government authority comes from the people.

Bill of Rights

The first 10 amendments to the Constitution that protect individual liberties.

Concurrent Powers

Powers shared by both the federal and state governments.

Limited Government

A principle ensuring that government power is restricted by laws and Constitution.

Division of Powers

The separation of governmental responsibilities among different levels (federal and state).

Supremacy Clause

A constitutional provision stating that the Constitution and federal laws are the highest law of the land.

Separation of Powers

The division of government into 3 branches: legislative, executive, and judicial.

Delegated Powers

Powers granted to the federal government by the Constitution.

Amendment

A formal change in addition to the Constitution.

Checks and Balances

A system ensuring that no branch of government becomes too powerful allowing each branch to the others.

Expressed Powers

Powers explicitly states in the Constitution.

Reserved Powers

Powers not given to the federal government and reserved for the states.

Judicial Review

The power of courts to determine the constitutionality of laws.

Implied Powers

Powers not explicitly stated in the Constitution but inferred from expressed powers.

Inherent Powers

Powers naturally held by any sovereign government.

Alexander Hamilton

A federalist, key author of The Federalist Papers, and advocated for a strong central government.

John Locke

A philosopher who influenced the Constitution with his ideas on natural rights and government by consent.

James Madison

A Founding Father, author of the Constitution and The Federalist Papers, and the supported of a strong central government.

1st Amendment

Freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly and petition.

2nd Amendment

Right to own a gun.

3rd Amendment

Right to not have soldiers live in your house.

4th Amendment

Right to not have the police search you or youre belongings unreasonably or without cause.

5th Amendment

Right to not incriminate yourself, right now to be charged with the same offense twice, right to have due process.

6th Amendment

Right to have a speedy criminal trial, right to have a jury in a criminal trial, right to have a lawyer in a criminal trial.

7th Amendment

Right to have a jury in a civil trial.

8th Amendment

Freedom from cruel and unusual punishment.

9th Amendment

Rights specifically listed in the Constitution (federal) shouldn’t limit the right now listed in the Constitution (state).

10th Amendment

Powers not specifically listed in the Constitution for the federal government are given to the states.

11th Amendment

The Supreme Court will won’t deal with cases between states and citizens of another state.

12th Amendment

An electoral college will represent the citizens in voting for the president.

13th Amendment

Slavery isn’t legal in the US

14th Amendment

All people are citizens, regardless of race

15th Amendment

All (male) citizens can vote, regardless of race or former slave status.

16th Amendment

There will now be federal taxes on income.

17th Amendment

Senators are elected to 6-year terms by popular vote in their respective states.

18th Amendment

Making, selling, transporting, importing, or exporting alcohol is illegal.

19th Amendment

Women can vote.

20th Amendment

Executive and legislative terms end on a specific day at a specific time.

21st Amendment

The 18th Amendment, prohibiting alcohol, is repealed.

22nd Amendment

Presidents can only serve 2 (4-year) terms.

23rd Amendment

Citizens in the District of Columbia can vote for president.

24th Amendment

There cannot be a poll tax.

25th Amendment

If the president is removed, dies, or resigns, the vice president becomes president.

26th Amendment

The voting age is lowered to 18.

27th Amendment

Any salary changes for Congress don’t take effect until the next term.

Cesare Beccaria

Italian philosopher, opposed torture & death penalty, wrote On Crimes and Punishments, influenced criminal justice reform.

John Jay

Founding Father, first U.S. Chief Justice, co-wrote The Federalist Papers, negotiated Jay Treaty.

Baron de Montesquieu

French Enlightenment thinker, wrote The Spirit of the Laws, advocated separation of powers, influenced modern democracy.