Midterm USPOLI

Amendments to the Constitution

Changes or additions made to the Constitution of the United States, which modify or clarify its text and meaning; basic governing documents of the US

Anti-Federalist

Opponents of the Constitution during the ratification debates, who favored stronger state governments.

Articles of Confederation

The first (1781-1789) basic governing document of the US and forerunner to the constitution.

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution, guaranteeing individual liberties and rights.

Boston Massacre

A confrontation in 1770 in which British soldiers killed five colonists, fueling anti-British sentiment.

Boston Tea Party

A 1773 protest against British taxes in which American colonists dumped tea into Boston Harbor.

Closed rule

A provision that prohibits any amendments to a bill during debate in the House of Representatives.

Cloture

A procedure used to end a filibuster or bring a debate to a close in the Senate.

Coercive Acts

A series of laws passed by the British Parliament in 1774 meant to punish the Massachusetts colonists for the Boston Tea Party.

Committee jurisdiction

The authority granted to a committee to oversee specific areas of policy or legislation.

Committees

Sub-groups within Congress responsible for reviewing and making recommendations on proposed legislation.

Compactness

The principle that district boundaries should be drawn to create districts that are geographically compact.

Conference committee

A temporary committee formed to reconcile differences between the House and Senate versions of a bill.

Congress

The legislative branch of the United States federal government, consisting of the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Congressional offices

The various offices operated by members of Congress to assist constituents and handle legislative business.

Connecticut Compromise

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

Constituencies

The groups of voters or residents represented by an elected official.

Constituents

Individuals who reside in a district and are represented by an elected official.

Constitutional Convention

The gathering that drafted the Constitution of the United States in 1787.

Contiguity

The principle that districts must be physically connected without gaps.

Continental Congresses

National legislative assemblies that governed the American colonies during the Revolutionary War.

Declaration of Independence

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

Delegate model

A representation theory where elected officials act strictly according to the wishes of their constituents.

Democracy

A system of government in which power is vested in the people, who rule either directly or through freely elected representatives.

Direct democracy

A form of democracy in which people vote on policy initiatives directly.

Distributive theory

A theory that suggests that political resources are allocated based on the interests of different groups.

Elections

The formal process by which individuals vote to choose representatives or decide on policy issues.

Electoral College

The body that formally elects the President and Vice President of the United States.

Equality of Population

The principle that emphasizes that congressional districts should have roughly equal populations.

Federalists

Supporters of the Constitution during the ratification debates, favoring a strong federal government.

Filibuster

A tactic used in the Senate to delay or block legislative action, typically involving prolonged speech.

French and Indian/Seven Years’ War

A conflict between Britain and France in North America (1754-1763) that impacted colonial relations.

General election

An election held to choose among candidates, typically for federal or state offices.

Gerrymandering

The practice of drawing district lines to benefit a particular political party.

Government

The system or group of people governing an organized community, often a state.

House of Burgesses

The first legislative assembly of elected representatives in North America, established in Virginia in 1619.

Informational theory

A theory suggesting that legislative committees provide valuable information to improve congressional decision-making.

Institutions

Established laws or practices that govern the behavior of individuals and groups in society.

Joint committee

A committee composed of members from both the House and Senate to address common issues.

Mayflower Compact

An agreement made by the Pilgrims in 1620 to establish a self-governing colony in America.

Median voter theorem

A principle that states the candidate who represents the preferences of the median voter is most likely to win elections.

Modified/structured rule

A set of regulations governing debate and amendments in the House that allows limited amendments.

New Jersey Plan

A proposal during the Constitutional Convention that called for equal representation for each state in Congress.

Open rule

A provision that allows any amendments to be proposed during the debate on a bill in the House.

Partisan theory

The idea that elected officials primarily represent the interests of their political party.

Political parties

Organized groups that seek to gain power by electing their members to public office.

Presidency

The office and leadership role of the President of the United States.

Primary election

An election held to determine a political party's nominee for the general election.

Proposition

A proposed measure or legislation presented for voter consideration.

Prospective voting

Voting based on the anticipated future performance of a candidate.

Rationality

The assumption that individuals will make decisions based on logical reasoning to maximize their benefit.

Reapportionment

The process of redistributing representation based on population changes after the census.

Redistricting

The redrawing of district boundaries to reflect changes in population and ensure equal representation.

Representative democracy

A system of government in which elected officials represent a group of people.

Representatives

Elected officials in the legislative body, responsible for representing the interests of their constituents.

Retrospective voting

Voting based on the past performance of a candidate or party in office.

Revolutionary War

The conflict between the colonies and Great Britain (1775-1783) resulting in American independence.

Select committee

A temporary committee established for a specific purpose or issue.

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

A 1786-1787 uprising led by farmers in Massachusetts protesting economic injustices.

Spatial model of elections

A theory that represents candidate positions and voter preferences in a geometric space.

Speaker of the House

The presiding officer in the House of Representatives, responsible for ensuring order and procedure.

Special rules

Rules set by the House Rules Committee to govern the debate and amendment process for certain bills.

Stamp Act

A 1765 British law imposing a tax on paper goods in the American colonies, leading to protests.

Stamp Act Congress

A gathering of colonial representatives in 1765 protesting the Stamp Act.

Standing committee

A permanent committee in Congress that focuses on specific areas of legislation.

State

A political entity with a defined territory, government, and the ability to enter into relations with other states.

Sugar Act

A 1764 British law that taxed sugar and molasses imported into the American colonies.

Supreme Court

The highest court in the United States, which has the ultimate authority over constitutional interpretation.

Townsend Acts

A series of British taxes imposed on the American colonies in 1767, leading to further unrest.

Trustee model

A representation theory where elected officials use their own judgment to make decisions on behalf of their constituents.

Unanimous Consent Agreement

An agreement in the Senate that allows for expedited legislative procedures with no objections from senators.

US Constitution

The supreme law of the United States, establishing the framework for government and individual rights.

Veto

The power to reject a bill passed by Congress.

Virginia Plan

A proposal at the Constitutional Convention advocating for representation based on population

Voting Rights Act of 1965

Legislation aimed at overcoming barriers to voting for African Americans and ensuring their right to vote.