APUSH Period 3 Part 3

Flashcards of vocabulary terms and definitions from the lecture notes.

The Virginia Plan

Called to create a three-tiered federal government with an executive branch led by a president, a legislative branch composed of a bicameral (two house) Congress, and a judicial branch composed of a Supreme Court.

Electoral College

A body of prominent political leaders that represented the popular vote of each state. The electoral count is the sum of their senators (two) and their representatives (determined by state population).

Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise)

Blended the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey plan to have a bicameral legislature, and the Constitution. This bicameral legislature included a lower house (the House of Representatives) elected by the people and the upper house (the Senate) elected by the state legislatures.

Three-Fifths Compromise

Each enslaved person counted as three-fifths of a person, for the populations of southern states for proportional representation in Congress, even though those enslaved people would not be citizens

Anti-Federalists

Opponents of the Constitution, portrayed the federal government under the Constitution as an all-powerful beast; tended to come from the backcountry and were particularly appalled by the absence of a bill of rights.

First Amendment

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

Second Amendment

Right to bear arms in order to maintain a well-regulated militia.

Fourth Amendment

Freedom from unreasonable search and seizure.

Fifth Amendment

Right to due process of law, freedom from self-incrimination, double jeopardy (being tried twice for the same crime).

Sixth Amendment

Rights of accused persons; for example, the right to a speedy and public trial.

Eighth Amendment

Freedom from excessive bail and from cruel and unusual punishment.

Ninth Amendment

Rights not listed are kept by the people.

Tenth Amendment:

Powers not listed are kept by the states or the people.

Shays' Rebellion

Revealed lingering resentment on the part of the backcountry farmers toward the coastal elite. Was one of the leading reasons for the Constitutional Convention, because the Articles of Confederation had created a national government that was essentially powerless to stop such rebellions.

Northwest Ordinance of 1787

Contained a bill of rights guaranteeing trial by jury, freedom of religion, and freedom from excessive punishment. Abolished slavery in the Northwest territories and set specific regulations concerning the conditions under which territories could apply for statehood. Claimed Native American land without their consent.

An Economic Interpretation of the Constitution of the United States by Charles Beard

Argued that the Constitution was written primarily to cater to the financial interests of the Founding Fathers.

The New Jersey Plan

Called for modifications, and it also called for equal representation from each state.

The Virginia Plan (James Madison)

Called for an entirely new government based on the principle of checks and balances and for the number of representatives for each state to be based upon the population of the state, giving some states an advantage.

The Federalist Papers

Anonymously authored by James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay, and argued in favor of the Constitution. Were critical in swaying opinion in New York.

Cabinet

The heads of the various executive departments, which have grown in number over the years, and it functions as the president's chief group of advisors.

Strict Constructionists

Led by Jefferson and James Madison. Argued that the Constitution allowed Congress only those powers specifically granted to it or those necessary and proper to the execution of its enumerated powers.

Alexander Hamilton

Framing the broad (loose) constructionist position, argued that the creation of a bank was an implied power of the government because the government already had explicit power to coin money, borrow money, and collect taxes.

Hamilton's financial plan

Called for the federal government to assume the states' debts and to repay those debts by giving the debt holders land on the western frontier.

Thomas Jefferson (French Revolution)

Wanted to support the revolution and its republican ideals.

Alexander Hamilton (French Revolution)

Had aristocratic leanings and so disliked the revolutionaries, who had overthrown the French aristocracy.

The Neutrality Proclamation

Declared the U.S. intention to remain friendly and impartial toward belligerent powers during the French-English conflict.

Federalists

Those favoring a strong federal government

Democratic-Republicans

The followers of Jefferson

The Whiskey Rebellion

Began in western Pennsylvania when farmers resisted an excise tax on whiskey, which Hamilton imposed to raise revenue to defray the debt incurred by the Revolution.

Executive privilege

The right of the president to withhold information when doing so would protect national security (e.g., in the case of diplomatic files and military secrets).

The Treaty of San Lorenzo/Pinckney's Treaty

ratified by the U.S. Senate in 1796, included use of the Mississippi River, duty-free access to world markets, and the removal of any remaining Spanish forts on American soil. Spain also promised to try to prevent attacks on Western settlers from Native Americans.

Washington's Farewell Address

Warned future presidents to steer clear of permanent alliances with any portion of the foreign world. Also warned against sectional divisions, as well as political party conflict.