AMSCO AP Government and Politics: Chapter 1 The Constitution

advice and consent

The power of the United States Senate to be consulted on and approve of treaties signed and appointments made by the President

Bill of Rights

The first 10 Amendments to the Constitution

checks and balances

Ways in which the three parts of government can limit each other

commerce clause

The government's ability to initiate and regulate trade among states and with other countries

Anti-Federalists

People who opposed the ratification of the constitution

bicameral

Two branches or chambers of a legislature

Electoral College

The body of electors chosen from each state to elect the president and vice president of the U.S.

enumerated powers

Specific powers granted to Congress by the Constitution

Federalist Papers

A collection of 85 articles and essays written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay promoting the ratification of the United States Constitution

federalism

A system of government in which power is divided between a central authority and its subordinate parts

Articles of Confederation

The original constitution of the U.S.

Declaration of Independence

Formal statement declaring the freedom of the thirteen American colonies from Great Britain

extradition

To give someone up to another government or authority

Federalists

Supporters of a federal government

Great Compromise

Compromise between the New Jersey Plan and the Virginia Plan

House of Representatives

Elected by the people and proportionate to the population of the state

impeachment

Process by which elected officials are removed from office

James Madison

Author of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights and Federalist Papers author

judicial review

The ability to judge certain laws and rules unconstitutional

national supremacy

Constitutional doctrine teaching that the federal government has the ultimate power when in conflict with state power

natural law

Philosophy that all humans have certain rights that cannot be taken away

necessary and proper (elastic) clause

Congress has the right to express its powers, and the right to make all laws as needed to carry out all powers the Constitution vests in the national government

New Jersey Plan

A constitutional proposal that would have given each state one vote in a new Congress

pocket veto

If a bill is proposed within 10 days of Congress adjourning and the president does not sign it , it will die.

popular sovereignty

A government in which the people rule by their own consent.

Preamble

Introduction to the Constitution

representative republic

A system of government in which citizens elect representatives, or leaders, to make decisions based on the law and/or constitution.

reserved powers

Powers not specifically granted to the national government or denied to the states. Held by the states through the Tenth Amendment.

Senate

The upper house of Congress. It has 100 members, 2 members for each state. Members are elected every 6 years. The Vice President is the head of this body.

separation of powers

Division of authority among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches

social contract

A voluntary agreement among individuals to secure their rights and welfare by creating a government and abiding by its rules.

Supremacy Clause

Makes the Constitution, national laws, and treaties supreme over state laws when the national government is acting within its constitutional limits.

two-thirds override

To pass a bill over the President's objections requires a two-thirds vote in each Chamber

veto

Chief Executive's power to reject a bill passed by a legislature

Virginia Plan

Called for proportional representation to population, thus favoring larger states

elite democracy

Elected representatives make decisions and act as trustees for the people who elected them

Full Faith and Credit Clause

Requires states to recognize the laws, records, and judicial decisions of other states

Grand Committee

A group chosen to settle disputes between power in states. Led by Benjamin Franklin

participatory democracy

A system of democracy in which all members of a group or community participate collectively in making major decisions

pluralist democracy

A model that stresses vigorous competition among various interests in a free society

republicanism

A philosophy of limited government with elected representatives serving at the will of the people. The government is based on consent of the governed.

Three-Fifths Compromise

Agreement that each slave counted as three-fifths of a person in determining representation in the House for representation and taxation purposes (negated by the 13th amendment)

USA PATRIOT Act

Act that gives federal officials greater authority to take measures to combat terrorism.