POS 2041 Chapter 2

Antifederalists

those who favored strong governments and a weak national government and were opponents of the constitution proposed at the American Constitutional Convention of 1787

Articles of Confederation

Americas first written constitution; served as the basis for American national government until 1789

Bicameral legislature

having a legislature assembly composed of two chambers or house; distinguished from unicameral

Bill of Rights

the first 10 amendments to the constitution, ratified in 1791; they ensure certain rights and liberties to the people

Separation of Powers

the division of governmental power among several institutions that must cooperate in decision making

Checks and Balances

Mechanisms through which each branch of government is able to participate in and influence the activities of the other branches

Confederation

a system of government in which states retain sovereign authority except for the powers expressly delegated to the national government

Elastic College

the electors from each state who meet after the popular election to cast ballots for president and vice president

Expressed Powers

specific powers granted by the Constitution to Congress and to the president

Federalism

a system of government in which power is divided, by a constitution, between the central government and regional governments

Federalists

those who favored a strong national government and supported the constitution proposed at the American Constitutional Convention of 1787

Federalist Paper

a series of essays written by James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay supporting the ratification of the Constitution

Virginia Plan

a framework for the Constitution, introduced by Edmund Randolph, that called for Representation in the national legislature based on the population of each state

New Jersey Plan

a framework for the Constitution, introduced by William Paterson, that called for equal state representation in the national legislature regardless of population

Great Compromise

the agreement reached at the Constitutional Convention of 1787 that gave each state an equal number of senators regardless of its population, but linked representation in the House of Representatives

Three-fifths Compromise

the agreement reached at the Constitutional Convention of 1787 that stipulated that for purposes of the apportionment of congressional seats, every slave would be counted as three-fifths of a person

Supremacy Clause

laws passed by the national government and all treaties "shall by the supreme law of the land" and superior to all laws adopted by any state or any subdivision

Tyranny

oppressive and unjust government that employs cruel and unjust use of power and authority

Judicial review

the power of the courts to review and, if necessary, declare actions of the legislative and executive branches invalid or unconstitutional