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Magna Carta

a document constituting a fundamental guarantee of rights and privileges.

Articles Failure

Weak association of states

Connecticut Compromise

Compromise agreement by states at the Constitutional Convention for a bicameral legislature

Virginia Plan

Proposal from the large states in the Constitutional Convention for representation based on size in both Houses.

New Jersey Plan

A constitutional proposal that would have given each state one vote in congress

Federalist #10

Essay by James Madison about the dangers of faction

Federalist #51

Argues that separation of powers within the national government is the best way to prevent the concentration of power in the hands of one person or a single group.

Article IV

Relations among states

Article V

Amending the Constitution

Marbury v. Madison

This case establishes the Supreme Court's power of Judicial Review

McCulloch v. Maryland

Supreme Court ruling (1819) confirming the supremacy of national over state government

Denied Powers

powers the Constitution denies to the national government

Interstate Commerce Clause

Constitutional clause that gives Congress the right to regulate interstate commerce.

Unitary System

A government that gives all key powers to the national or central government

Fiscal Federalism

The pattern of spending, taxing, and providing grants in the federal system.

Devolution

the transfer of powers and responsibilities from the federal government to the states

New Federalism

system in which the national government restores greater authority back to the states

Take Care Clause

President must enforce all laws passed by congress

Amending the Constitution (proposed by Congress)

2/3 of congress propose amendment; 3/4 states ratify it.

Amending the Constitution (proposed by states)

Convention called by 2/3 states to propose; 3/4 states ratify.

Full Faith and Credit Clause

Constitution's requirement that each state accept the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of every other state

priveleges and immunities clause

Part of Article IV; citizens of each state are afforded the same rights as citizens of all other states.

Locke

natural rights

Rousseau

social contract

Representative Democracy

A system of government in which citizens elect representatives, or leaders, to make decisions about the laws for all the people.

Shay's Rebellion

A 1787 rebellion that exposed the weakness of Articles of Confederation

Direct Democracy

A form of government in which citizens rule directly and not through representatives

3/5 Compromise

Each slave would count for 3/5 of a person for taxation and representation purposes

Article I

Legislative Branch

Article II

Executive Branch

Article III

Judicial Branch

10th Amendment

Powers Reserved to the States

Expressed Powers

powers directly stated in the constitution to be federal powers

Implied Powers

Powers inferred from the express powers that allow Congress to carry out its functions

reserved powers

Powers given to the state government alone

Concurrent Powers

Powers held jointly by the national and state governments.

Supremacy Clause

Federal law is supreme over state law

Confederacy

A loose union of independent states

4th Amendment

Freedom from unreasonable searches and seizures

5th Amendment

The Right to Remain Silent/Double Jeopardy, right to due process

6th Amendment

Right to a speedy trial

Amendment 8

No cruel and unusual punishment

social contract

A voluntary agreement among individuals to secure their rights and welfare by creating a government and abiding by its rules