CONSTITUTION & GOVERNMENT - mastered

Articles of Confederation

First U.S. government with a weak central government.

Northwest Ordinance

Created a process for territories to become states.

Weaknesses of Articles

No power to tax, no executive branch, no national court system, and no standing army.

Virginia Plan

Representation based on population.

New Jersey Plan

Equal representation for all states.

Great Compromise

Created a bicameral legislature with the House and Senate.

Three-Fifths Compromise

Counted enslaved people as three-fifths of a person for representation and taxation.

Trade Compromise

Allowed Congress to regulate trade but delayed restrictions on the slave trade.

Federalism

Power shared between national and state governments.

Separation of Powers

Government divided into legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

Checks and Balances

Each branch can limit the powers of the others.

Popular Sovereignty

Government power comes from the people.

Limited Government

Government must obey the law.

Federalists

Supported a strong national government and ratification of the Constitution.

Anti-Federalists

Opposed a strong national government and demanded a Bill of Rights.

Federalist Papers

Essays supporting ratification of the Constitution.

Bill of Rights

First ten amendments protecting individual liberties.

Elastic Clause

Allows Congress to make laws necessary and proper for carrying out its powers.

Implied Powers

Powers not directly stated but inferred from the Constitution.

Amendment Process

Formal method for changing the Constitution.

Judicial Interpretation

Courts determine the meaning of laws and the Constitution.