The Articles of Confederation & The Constitution

These flashcards cover the key terms and concepts related to the Articles of Confederation and the Constitution as discussed in the lecture.

Articles of Confederation

The first constitution of the United States, establishing a weak central government.

Land Ordinance of 1785

Created a clear process for surveying and dividing land into rectangular plots.

Northwest Ordinance of 1787

Legislation that established a framework for governing the northwest territory and admitting new states.

Weaknesses of the Articles

No power to tax, no power to regulate trade, and a weak government.

Constitutional Convention

A meeting to address the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and create a stronger government framework.

Framers of the Constitution

A group of 55 delegates, including George Washington, James Madison, and Alexander Hamilton.

The Great Compromise

An agreement during the Constitutional Convention that resolved the representation dispute in the national legislature.

Bicameral

A legislative body that has two separate chambers or houses.

Three-Fifths Compromise

An agreement on how enslaved people would be counted for representation and taxation purposes.

Popular Sovereignty

The idea that people have the power to govern themselves.

Natural Rights

The belief that people should have basic rights and freedoms inherent to all individuals.

Separation of Powers

Dividing up the branches of government so that no one branch has more power than the others.

Checks and Balances

A system where each branch of government can limit the power of another branch.

Federalism

Dividing power between the national government and state governments.

Delegated Powers

Powers specifically assigned to a branch of government or official by a higher authority.

Reserved Powers

Powers not specifically granted to the federal government by the Constitution, reserved for states or the people.

Concurrent Powers

Powers shared by both the federal government and state governments.

Anti-federalists

Opponents of the Constitution who believed it gave too much power to the government and took power from states.

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the Constitution, added to protect individual freedoms.

Legislative Branch

Responsible for making laws and is made up of two chambers: the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Executive Branch

Responsible for enforcing and carrying out laws, includes the president, vice president, and cabinet.

Judicial Branch

Responsible for interpreting the law, includes the Supreme Court and other federal courts.