Chapter 3 Test Prep

Shay’s Rebellion

an armed uprising by Daniel Shays and other farmers in western Massachusetts from 1786 to 1787, protesting high taxes and debt relief failures under the weak Articles of Confederation

The Supremacy Clause

establishes that the Constitution and federal laws are the "supreme Law of the Land" and therefore take precedence over conflicting state or local laws. This principle, also known as federal preemption, ensures consistency and prevents disputes by making federal statutes binding on state courts and officials, even when they conflict with state law.

2/3 of house ¾ of states

Approval process for amendments

3/5 Compromise

an agreement at the 1787 Constitutional Convention that counted three-fifths of a state's enslaved population for purposes of determining representation in Congress and direct taxation

John Locke

an English philosopher and physician, widely regarded as one of the most influential of the Enlightenment thinkers and commonly known as the "father of liberalism".

Great Compromise

established a bicameral legislature with two houses: the House of Representatives where representation is based on a state's population, and the Senate where each state has equal representation

Virginia Plan

a proposal at the 1787 Constitutional Convention, drafted by James Madison, that called for a strong national government with three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial

New Jersey Plan

proposed by William Paterson at the 1787 Constitutional Convention, advocating for a unicameral (one-house) legislature where each state, regardless of population, had equal representation in Congress to protect the interests of smaller states against larger states.

Hamilton’s Plan

proposed a powerful national government, modeling the British system with a lifelong Governor and Senate, but it was generally rejected at the Convention as too monarchical. He suggested a 3-year elected Assembly and an upper Senate and executive who would serve "during good behaviour" (for life). While not adopted, his plan served as a radical counterpoint that may have made the Virginia Plan seem more moderate by comparison. 

Article I

of the U.S. Constitution establishes the Legislative Branch, which consists of the House of Representatives and the Senate, and outlines their powers and duties, including law-making, taxation, and regulating commerce

Article II

of the U.S. Constitution establishes the Executive Branch and its powers, vesting the executive power in a President.

Article III

of the U.S. Constitution establishes the Judicial Branch, vesting judicial power in one Supreme Court and such inferior courts as Congress may ordain

Federalist Papers

a collection of 85 essays, written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay, to persuade the citizens of New York to support and ratify the new U.S. Constitution in the late 1780s.

The Bill of Rights

the first ten amendments to the US Constitution, ratified in 1791 and guaranteeing such rights as the freedoms of speech, assembly, and worship.

Electoral College

a body of people representing the states of the US, who formally cast votes for the election of the president and vice president.

Necessary and Proper/Elastic Clause

grants Congress the authority to make laws that are "necessary and proper" for executing its enumerated powers.

General Welfare Clause

granting Congress the power to "lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States".

9/11

terrorist attacks profoundly reshaped the United States' government, national security priorities, civil liberties, and economy. The attacks spurred a new "war on terror" that led to a major institutional reorganization of the government and altered the country's relationship with the world.

Declaration of Independence

formally announced the thirteen American colonies' separation from Great Britain and established the United States as a free and independent nation.

Articles of Confederation

the first constitution of the United States, in effect from 1781 to 1789, establishing a weak central government with power concentrated in the states.

Federalist 10

explains how a large republic with a representative government can control dangerous "factions" (groups of citizens with opposing interests) by making it harder for any one group to dominate and by fostering a greater variety of opinions, which promotes compromise and protects minority rights

Brutus 1

a highly influential Anti-Federalist essay written in 1787 that argued against the ratification of the proposed U.S. Constitution.

The Constitution

the fundamental, foundational set of principles and laws that establishes a government, defines its powers and limits, and protects the rights of its people

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