us history week 3

Declaration of Independence

Document signed July 4, 1776, that separated the American colonies from Britain and created the United States

Articles of Confederation

The first governing document of the United States; created a weak national government with a unicameral legislature

Constitution

The Supreme Law of the Land; the current national body of laws that replaced the Articles of Confederation

Preamble

The introduction to the Constitution that explains its purpose

Bill of Rights

The first 10 amendments to the Constitution that protect individual civil rights

Popular Sovereignty

The principle that government's right to rule comes from the consent of the people (people = popular; control = sovereignty)

Federalism

The division of power between national (federal) and state governments

Separation of Powers

The division of government into three branches (Legislative, Executive, Judicial), each with distinct powers and duties

Checks and Balances

The system where each branch of government has the power to limit or check the actions of the other two branches

Republicanism

A representative democracy where voters elect officials to make decisions in their interests (not a political party)

Congress

The bicameral federal legislature of the United States (535 total members)

Senate

The upper house of Congress; each state has 2 senators who serve 6-year terms (100 total)

House of Representatives

The lower house of Congress; representation is based on state population; members serve 2-year terms (435 total)

Federal Government

The national government for the entire country

Electoral College

The system for electing the president; presidents are elected by electoral votes, not popular vote (270 electoral votes needed to win)

Great Compromise

The agreement that created a bicameral legislature with equal representation in the Senate and population-based representation in the House

3/5ths Compromise

The agreement that counted each enslaved person as 3/5 of a person for representation in the House of Representatives

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

Supreme Court case that broadened the interpretation of the Necessary and Proper Clause and strengthened federal power

Federalists

Group that favored a strong central government, felt a Bill of Rights was not necessary, loose interpretation of Constitution; supporters of Alexander Hamilton

Anti-Federalists

Group that favored strong state government, felt a Bill of Rights was necessary, strict interpretation of Constitution; supporters of Thomas Jefferson