US Constitution & Federalism Key Terms for Civics and Government

Advise and Consent

The constitutional requirement that the Senate must approve certain presidential appointments and treaties.

Anti-Federalists

Opponents of the ratification of the U.S. Constitution who favored stronger state governments.

Articles of Confederation

The first constitution of the United States, which established a weak federal government.

Bicameral

A legislative body that has two chambers or houses.

Bill of attainder

A legislative act that singles out and punishes an individual or group without a trial.

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution that guarantee individual liberties.

Central government

The national government of a country, as opposed to state or local governments.

Checks and balances

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

Commerce Clause

A clause in the Constitution that gives Congress the power to regulate commerce with foreign nations and among the states.

Declaration of Independence

The document adopted on July 4, 1776, declaring the American colonies' independence from British rule.

Electoral College

A body of electors established by the Constitution to elect the President and Vice President of the United States.

Enumerated powers

Powers specifically granted to Congress by the Constitution.

Ex post facto law

A law that makes an act illegal retroactively, which is prohibited by the Constitution.

Extradition

The process of returning a fugitive to the jurisdiction where they are accused of a crime.

Factions

Groups of people with shared interests that may act against the common good.

Federalism

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

Federalist Papers

A series of essays written to promote the ratification of the U.S. Constitution.

Federalists

Supporters of the ratification of the U.S. Constitution who favored a strong national government.

Full Faith and Credit Clause

A clause in the Constitution requiring states to recognize the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of other states.

Grand Committee

A group of delegates from the states that helped draft the U.S. Constitution.

Great (Connecticut) Compromise

An agreement that established a bicameral legislature with proportional representation in the House and equal representation in the Senate.

House of Representatives

The lower chamber of Congress, where representation is based on state population.

Impeachment

The process by which a legislative body levels charges against a government official, potentially leading to removal from office.

James Madison

The fourth President of the United States and a key architect of the U.S. Constitution.

John Locke

An Enlightenment philosopher whose ideas on natural rights influenced the founding fathers.

Judicial review

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

Limited government

A political system where the powers of the government are restricted by law.

National Supremacy

The principle that federal law takes precedence over state law.

Natural rights

Rights that individuals are born with, which include life, liberty, and property.

Necessary and Proper Clause (Elastic Clause)

A clause that grants Congress the power to pass all laws necessary and proper for carrying out its duties.

New Jersey Plan

A proposal for the structure of the U.S. government that called for a unicameral legislature with equal representation for each state.

Nullification

The theory that states have the right to invalidate any federal law they deem unconstitutional.

Participatory democracy

A model of democracy in which citizens have the power to decide on policy and politicians are responsible for implementing those policy decisions.

Pocket veto

The President's power to indirectly veto a bill by taking no action on it for ten days while Congress is adjourned.

Popular sovereignty

The principle that the authority of a state and its government is created and sustained by the consent of its people.

Preamble

The introductory statement of the Constitution that outlines its purposes and guiding principles.

Privileges and Immunities Clause

A clause in the Constitution that prevents states from discriminating against citizens of other states.

Ratification

The formal approval of the Constitution or an amendment by the states.

Representative democracy

A system of government in which citizens elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf.

Pluralist democracy

A model of democracy that recognizes multiple competing interests and groups in society.

Elite democracy

A model of democracy that emphasizes the role of a small number of powerful individuals in influencing political decisions.

Republicanism

A political ideology centered on citizenship in a state organized as a republic, emphasizing the importance of civic involvement.

Republic

A form of government in which the country is considered a 'public matter' and is not the private concern of the rulers.

Reserved powers

Powers that are not specifically granted to the federal government by the Constitution and are reserved for the states.

Senate

The upper chamber of Congress, where each state has equal representation with two senators.

Separation of powers

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

Shay's Rebellion

An armed uprising in 1786-1787 led by Daniel Shays to protest economic injustices and the lack of government response.

Slave Trade Compromise

An agreement during the Constitutional Convention that allowed the continuation of the slave trade for a limited time.

Social contract

An implicit agreement among the members of a society to cooperate for social benefits.

Supremacy Clause

A clause in the Constitution stating that federal law takes precedence over state law.

Three-Fifths Compromise

An agreement that counted three out of every five slaves as persons for representation and taxation purposes.

Two-thirds override

The process by which Congress can override a presidential veto with a two-thirds majority in both chambers.

Tyranny of the majority

A situation in which a majority uses its power to oppress a minority.

U.S. Constitution

The supreme law of the United States, establishing the framework of the national government.

USA Patriot Act

Legislation enacted in response to the September 11 attacks that expanded the government's surveillance and law enforcement powers.

Veto

The power of the President to reject a bill passed by Congress.

Virginia Plan

A proposal for the structure of the U.S. government that called for a bicameral legislature with representation based on population.

Marbury v. Madison (1803)

A landmark Supreme Court case that established the principle of judicial review in the United States.