Ratification of the U.S. Constitution, Principles of American Government, and Federalism

Vocabulary flashcards covering topic 1.5 through 1.9, including ratification compromises, constitutional structure, articles, federalism models, powers, grants, mandates, and historical foundational texts.

The Great (Connecticut) Compromise

A compromise that established a bicameral Congress consisting of the House of Representatives and the Senate to balance representation between large and small states.

Virginia Plan

A plan proposing a government with three branches, separation of powers, and state representation based on population in the House of Representatives, calculated by a census every $10$ years.

New Jersey Plan

A plan proposing equal representation for all states in the Senate, granting $2$ senators per state to protect the sovereignty of states.

Electoral College

A body where each state receives a total number of electors equal to its total seats in Congress (House and Senate); favored by the Framers over the popular vote out of fear that voters lacked knowledge about candidates. The term itself is not used in the Constitution.

Slave Trade Compromise

An agreement prohibiting Congress from acting on the slave trade for $20$ years.

Three-Fifths Compromise

An agreement that slaves would be counted as $\frac{3}{5}$ of a state's population for determining seats in the House of Representatives.

Amendment Proposal Process

The method of proposing constitutional amendments, requiring either a $\frac{2}{3}$ vote of both houses of Congress or a national convention called by $\frac{2}{3}$ of state legislatures.

Amendment Ratification Process

The method of ratifying constitutional amendments, requiring approval by $\frac{3}{4}$ of state legislatures or $\frac{3}{4}$ approval at a state convention.

James Madison

The author of the U.S. Constitution and Federalist No. 39, known as the 'Father of the Constitution'.

Preamble to the U.S. Constitution

The introduction to the U.S. Constitution beginning with 'We the people' that outlines the purpose of the government.

Article I of the U.S. Constitution

The constitutional article establishing the Legislative Branch, a bicameral legislature, its procedures, and the powers of Congress.

Article II of the U.S. Constitution

The constitutional article establishing the Executive Branch, detailing qualifications, powers and duties, the Electoral College, the presidential oath of office, and the Office of the Vice President.

Article III of the U.S. Constitution

The constitutional article creating the Judicial Branch and the Supreme Court.

Article IV of the U.S. Constitution

The constitutional article regulating relations among the states and between the states and the national government.

Article V of the U.S. Constitution

The constitutional article outlining the amendment process for changing the Constitution.

Article VI of the U.S. Constitution

The constitutional article establishing National Supremacy, declaring the Constitution to be the 'law of the land'.

Article VII of the U.S. Constitution

The constitutional article specifying that $9$ states were required to ratify the Constitution.

Bill of Rights

The first $10$ amendments to the U.S. Constitution guaranteeing personal liberties and rights, added as a compromise with the Anti-Federalists.

Federalism

A system balancing power between state governments and the federal government.

Federalist No. 39

An essay written by James Madison explaining that the proposed U.S. Constitution is 'neither a national nor a federal Constitution, but a composition of both.'

Exclusive Powers of the Federal Government

Powers held strictly by the federal level, including coining/regulating money, naturalization/citizenship, declaring war, maintaining an army and navy, regulating interstate and foreign commerce, establishing a postal system, and conducting foreign relations.

Concurrent Powers

Shared powers between state and federal governments, such as taxation, enacting laws, defining crimes and enforcing punishment, borrowing money, building infrastructure, establishing courts, and exercising eminent domain.

Reserved Powers

Exclusive powers of state governments, including regulating education, regulating marriage, regulating intrastate commerce, establishing local governments, and conducting elections.

Dual Federalism

A system where separate powers are exercised by the federal government and the states, often referred to as 'layer cake federalism'.

Cooperative Federalism

A system featuring overlap between federal and state powers, often referred to as 'marble cake federalism'.

Categorical Grant

A transfer of federal funds to state or local governments that must be used in compliance with specific purposes and instructions, containing 'strings attached'.

Block Grant

A transfer of federal funds to state or local governments that can be used for broad purposes with 'few strings attached'.

Mandates

Federal rules imposing obligations on state or local governments, which can be either funded or unfunded.

The National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984

An example of a funded federal mandate.

No Child Left Behind

An example of an unfunded federal mandate.

Americans With Disabilities Act

An example of an unfunded federal mandate.

1949 Herblock Cartoon

A political cartoon by The Herb Block Foundation depicting the complex balance of federal authority, states' rights, and federal benefits with the caption 'In two words, yes and no.'