Chapter 2 US GOV

Federalists

Those who favored a stronger national government and supported the proposed U.S. Constitution; later became the first U.S. political party.

Anti

Federalists

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution, which largely guarantee specific rights and liberties.

Checks and Balances

A constitutionally mandated structure that gives each of the three branches of government some degree of oversight and control over the actions of others.

Common Sense

a pamphlet written by Thomas Paine that challenged the authority of the British government to govern the colonies

Constitution

a document establishing the structure, functions, and limitations of a government

Constitutional Convention

The meeting. in Philadelphia in 1787 that was first intended to revise the Articles of Confederation but produced an entirely new document, the U.S. Constitution.

Critical Period

The chaotic period from 1781 to 1789 after the American Revolution during which the former colonies were governed under the Articles of Confederation.

Declaration of Independence

Document drafted largely by Thomas Jefferson in 1776 that proclaimed the right of the American colonies to separate from Great Britain

Electoral College

The system established by the Constitution through which the president is chosen by the electoral votes, as it has members of Congress.

enumerated powers

The powers of the national government specifically granted to Congress in Article I., section 9 of the constitution.

federalism

the distribution of constitutional authority between state governments and the national government, with different powers and functions exercised by both

Federalist Papers

A series of eighty

full faith and credit clause

Section of Article IV of the Constitution that ensures judicial decrees and contracts made in one state will be binding and enforceable in any other state.

Great Compromise

The final decision of the Constitutional Convention to create a two

implied powers

The powers of the national government derived from the enumerated powers and the necessary and proper clause.

inherent powers

powers that belong to the president because they can be inferred from the Constitution

mercantilism

an economic theory designed to increase a nation's wealth through the development of commercial industry and a favorable balance of trade

necessary and proper clause

the final paragraph of Article I, section 8, of the Constitution, which gives Congress the authority to pass all laws "necessary and proper" to carry out the enumerated powers specified in the Constitution, AKA elastic clause.

New Jersey Plan

A framework for the Constitution proposed by a group of small states. Its key points were a one

Virginia Plan

The first general plan for the Constitution offered in Philadelphia. Its key points were a bicameral legislature, as well as and executive and judiciary chosen by the national legislature.

political culture

Commonly shared attitudes, behaviors, and core values about how government should operate

separation of powers

A way of dividing the power of government among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, each staffed separately, with equality and independence of each branch ensured by the Constitution.

social contract theory

the belief that governments exist based on the consent of the governed

supremacy clause

position of Article VI of the Constitution mandating that national law is supreme to (that is, supersedes) all other laws passed by the states or by any other subdivision of government

three

fifths compromise