Foundations of American Democracy Vocabulary

anti-federalists

people who opposed the Constitution because it consolidated states under a federal government

second continental congress

the meeting that drafted the articles of confederation

articles of confederation

had a unicameral congress that was elected annually, each state had one vote, needed 13 votes for amendment, needed 9 present to pass a law

weakness of aoc

too reliant on states, impossible to pass/change law, couldn't regulate commerce, no power over states

bicameral

two house legislature

declaration of independence

proclamation of the second continental congress asserting the independence of the colonies from Great Britain

federalist papers

a series of 85 essays written by hamilton, madison, and jay published in new york and used to convince readers to adopt the new constitution

federalists

supporters of the constitution

great compromise

three branches with bicameral legislation (upper and lower) lower house is chosen by the people, exec has one person and chooses the judiciary

Senate

the upper house in the great compromise, had equal representation and chosen by the lower house

House of Representatives

the lower house in the great compromise, based on the population and chosen by the people

New Jersey Plan

(William Paterson) created three branches of government. unicameral legislation with equal representation, exec chosen by legislation, judiciary = supreme tribunal

Virginia Plan

(James Madison, Edmund Randolph) created three branches of government. bicameral legislation with population-based representation, judicial and executive chosen by legislative.

James Madison

represented Virginia in the Annapolis Convention and Constitutional Convention, wrote 29 of the Federalists Papers, wrote journals of proceedings in Constitutional Convention, introduced the Virginia Plan

John Locke

wrote about NATURAL RIGHTS

natural rights

the idea that all humans are born with rights, which include the right to life, liberty, and property

limited government

certain restrictions should be placed on government to protect the natural rights of citizens

participatory democracy

direct participation from many, only works for small districts

pluralist democracy

no governmental group exerts influence on government. groups like AIPAC and NRA influence through money

elite democracy

elected officials make decisions and act as trustees for people. those with money/resources get a headstart.

representative democracy

citizens choose a smaller group to govern on their behalf

Shays Rebellion

daniel shays led rebellion of farmers in western Massachusetts protesting farm foreclosures. highlighted the need for a strong national government

social contract

(Thomas Hobbes) agreement between the people and their government signifying their consent to be governed