U.S. Government Principles and Articles of Confederation

This set of flashcards covers key concepts and vocabulary related to the principles of U.S. government and the Articles of Confederation.

Popular Sovereignty

The principle that the people are the ultimate source of the government's power and that it exists with the consent of the governed.

Limited Government

A government that is not all-powerful and can only do what the people have given it the authority to do.

Separation of Powers

The division of government into three branches (legislative, executive, judicial) to prevent any one branch from gaining too much power.

Checks and Balances

System in which each branch of government has powers that can limit the powers of the other branches.

Judicial Review

The power of the courts to determine whether government actions or laws are constitutional.

Federalism

The division of power between the national government and the state governments.

Weaknesses of Articles of Confederation

Key issues including lack of power to tax, no national executive, no national judiciary, and each state having one vote.

Shays' Rebellion

An armed uprising in 1786-1787 that exposed the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.

Federalists

Supporters of the new Constitution who wanted a strong national government and believed that the Constitution fixed the problems of the Articles.

Anti-Federalists

Opponents of the new Constitution who feared a strong central government and demanded a Bill of Rights.

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution, promised by Federalists to gain support from Anti-Federalists.