Untitled Flashcards Set

Constitutional Convention

A 1787 gathering in Philadelphia where delegates from several states debated and drafted the U.S. Constitution, replacing the weaker Articles of Confederation.

Articles of Confederation

The first governing framework of the United States (1781–1789), granting limited powers to a central government and maintaining most authority within the individual states.

Branches of Government

The division of the federal government into three parts—Legislative, Executive, and Judicial—each with distinct responsibilities and powers.

Checks and Balances

A system ensuring that each branch of government can limit the power of the others, preventing any one branch from becoming too dominant.

Framers

The delegates who attended the Constitutional Convention and crafted the U.S. Constitution, shaping the nation's foundational principles.

Regional Differences

Distinct economic, social, and political interests that varied by geographical area (e.g., North vs. South), influencing debates and compromises during the founding era.

Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise)

An agreement at the Constitutional Convention creating a bicameral Congress, with representation in the House based on population and equal representation for all states in the Senate.

3/5 Compromise

A Constitutional Convention agreement counting each enslaved individual as three-fifths of a person when determining population for taxation and representation.

Bicameral Legislature

A lawmaking body divided into two separate chambers, such as the U.S. Congress, composed of the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Electoral College

A system established by the Constitution for indirectly electing the President, with electors from each state casting votes based on their state's popular choice.

Concurrent Powers

Authorities shared by both federal and state governments, such as taxation and the ability to make and enforce laws.

Expressed/Implied Powers

Expressed powers are explicitly stated in the Constitution, while implied powers are not listed but are derived from the Necessary and Proper Clause to carry out expressed powers.

Reserved Powers

Authorities not granted to the federal government and thus held by the states under the Tenth Amendment, such as regulating education and intrastate commerce.

Popular Sovereignty

The principle that the government’s legitimacy is rooted in the consent and authority of the people.

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the Constitution, guaranteeing individual liberties and limiting government power.

George Mason

A Virginian statesman and influential Anti-Federalist known for advocating strong protections for individual rights; his ideas helped inspire the Bill of Rights.

Ratification Requirements

Conditions set for approval of the Constitution or its amendments; the original Constitution required approval by nine of the thirteen states.

Amendment Requirements

Procedures for altering the Constitution, generally requiring proposal by two-thirds of Congress and approval by three-fourths of the states.

Federalists

Supporters of the new Constitution who favored a stronger central government and a more unified national structure.

Anti-Federalists

Opponents of the new Constitution who feared centralized power and demanded a Bill of Rights to safeguard individual liberties.

Pillars of the Constitution

Foundational principles—such as separation of powers, federalism, and popular sovereignty—that underpin the structure and function of the U.S. government.

First/Last States to Ratify

Delaware was the first state to ratify the Constitution (1787), while Rhode Island became the last of the original states to do so (1790).