U4 SG

Virginia Plan

Proposed representation in government based on population.

New Jersey Plan

Proposed equal representation for all states.

Great Compromise

Established a bicameral legislature with population-based representation in the House and equal representation in the Senate.

Three-Fifths Compromise

Stated how slaves would be counted toward representation.

Commerce Compromise

Forbidden the national government from taxing exports and intervening in the slave trade for 20 years.

President

Can veto laws made by Congress; veto means to reject.

Executive, Legislative, Judicial

The three branches of government: Executive enforces laws, Legislative makes laws, and Judicial interprets laws.

Tax

Under the Articles of Confederation, the government did not have the power to tax.

Powerful

Checks and balances prevents the government from becoming too powerful.

Shays' Rebellion

The event that showed the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.

Supreme Law

The highest law in the United States of America.

Bill of Rights

Anti-Federalists wanted this added to the U.S. Constitution.

Economic Impact

South Carolina delegates opposed giving the federal government the power to regulate trade due to potential economic consequences.

National and State Government

The Constitution established a limited government and split powers between these two groups.

White Property Owners

The group of people that the Declaration of Independence benefited the most.

Executive Branch

The branch of government that the President belongs to.

Amendments

What is added to the Constitution when changes are made.

Articles I, II, III

These Articles in the Constitution define the three branches of government.

Natural Rights

The main purpose of the government is to protect people’s natural rights.

Preamble

The name of the introduction to the Constitution.

Federalism

A system of government where power is divided between a central authority and constituent political units.

Checks and Balances

A system that ensures that no branch of government becomes too powerful by giving each branch the means to limit the powers of the others.

Separation of Powers

The division of government responsibilities into distinct branches to limit any one branch from exercising the core functions of another.

Ratification

The formal approval of the Constitution or an amendment, often requiring a specified majority.

Anti-Federalists

Opponents of the Constitution who argued for a Bill of Rights to protect individual liberties.

Federalists

Supporters of the Constitution who believed in a strong central government and did not think a Bill of Rights was necessary.

Sovereignty

The authority of a state to govern itself or another state.

Constitutional Convention

A meeting in 1787 where the U.S. Constitution was debated and drafted.

The Federalist Papers

A series of essays written to support ratification of the Constitution, advocating for a strong central government.

Impeachment

The process by which a legislative body formally charges a government official with misconduct.

Bicameral Legislature

A legislature with two houses, as established by the Great Compromise.

Representation

The way in which power is distributed among the states based on population and equality.

Constitution

The fundamental principles and precedents according to which a state is governed.

Federalism vs. Antifederalism

The debate between those who supported a strong central government and those who favored states' rights.

Checks on the Executive

Congress has the power to override a presidential veto and impeach a president.

Due Process

The legal requirement that the state must respect all legal rights owed to a person.

Judicial Review

The power of courts to assess whether a law is in compliance with the Constitution.

Suffrage

The right to vote in political elections.

Separation of Church and State

The principle that government must maintain an attitude of neutrality toward religion.