GoPo Chapter 2 Test

Articles of Confederation

A series of statements that defined the national government and redefined the colonies as states and gave them sovereignty over the national government.

Virginia Plan

This proposal large states and called for a two-house legislature where the people would elect who would serve in the upper house. 

Bicameral

a two-house legislature

New Jersey Plan

More focused on state sovereignty through a national government with limited powers. This plan had no national court. And each state would only have one vote in the legislative branch. (Supported by small states)

The Great Compromise (Connecticut Comprimise)

This proposal combined the New Jersey & Virginia Plans that created a bicameral legislature composed of a House of Representatives & a Senate. House seats would be based on population and representation in the Senate would be based on equal representation. 

Slavery & The three-fifths Compromise

The Northern and Southern delegates agreed to count only three of every five slaves to determine representation in the house.

Article I of Constitution

Defines the basic setup and operation of Congress, the house became the most democratic of the branches.

Article II of Constitution

How to create and define the president and their office. This establishes an executive role and appoints them as commander in chief.

Article III of Constitution

Set up the Supreme Court, and allowed the president to appoint justices for life, and empowers Congress to set up inferior courts.

Article IV of Constitution

Requires each state to have open laws that respect another state’s law. And required “the citizens of each state shall be entitled to all privileges and immunities of citizens in the several states.”

Article V of Constitution

Outlines the process by which the amendments to the Constitution can be proposed.

Article VI of Constitution

Gives the national gov’t ultimate (supreme) power over the states. 

Article VII of Constitution

Outlined that the Constitution would be in effect when the ninth state ratified it.

Ratification

Formal Consent, to ensure that the states wanted the Constitution

USA PATRIOT Act

A law that covered intelligence gathering and sharing by executive branch agencies, points of criminal procedure, and border Protections after the September 11 attacks.

No Child Left Behind Act

Called for improvements in teaching methods, testing to measure progress, and sanctions for underperforming schools. Almost 80% of schools could not meet the unrealsitic standard. Leading to widespread criticism in the law and Bush.

Race to the Top

Initiative from the Obama administration that offered incentives to states to adopt new normal standards that require students to be college and/or career-ready.  

Every Student Succeeds Act

States are free to determine their own standards for educational achievements, while still upholding protections for disadvantaged students. However the DoE must still approve each state’s plan.

Stakeholders

People or groups who will be affected by policies.

Seperation of powers

Defines the distinct responsibilities/powers and limits of each branch.

Federalist No. 51

Madison’s essay that addresses the necessity of the separation of powers. And explains that the only way to limit the natural human want of power is to balance it with by using each branches power to limit one another.

Checks and balances

The series of powers that each branch has to limit another branches power.

Veto

The power granted to POTUS in Article I, Section 7, of the Constitution that allows him to reject a bill.

Pocket veto

Occurs when POTUS receives a bill at the end of a legislative session and refuses to sign it; thus, killing the bill. 

Two-thirds Override

Is required by both chambers of Congress, acting separately, to override a presidential veto. This would require a super majority.

Advise and consent

The Senate can suggest appointees and must formally approve most presidential appointments of the cabinet and supreme court justicies.

Impeachment

An accusation, and indictment of wrongdoing; Article I states that the House of Representatives has the sole responsibility for this. 

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the Constitution that list specific individual liberties given to citizens that could not be taken away by the government. The Anti-Federalist insisted these be included in the constitution prior to ratification. 

Electoral College

A compromise that allowed states to choose electors based on the number of representatives and senators each state has. These electors would then cast votes to decide the winner of the presidential election.

Executive Branch

Consist of POTUS and the bureaucracy 

Judicial Branch

Made up of the Supreme Court and lower federal court system.  

Legislative Branch

Consist of both the House of Representatives and the Senate who are responsible for making laws.  

Shay’s Rebellion

Disgruntled farmers and Revolutionary War veterans led an insurgent after many of them lost their farms to foreclosures. Local militias were unable to control the insurgency. The event demonstrated a serious weakness in the Articles of Confederation and the need for a strong central government.