Dec 3rd Vocab

New Jersey Plan

A Constitutional Convention preposition that called for equal representation of each state in Congress regardless of the state’s population

Virginia Plan

Proposed at the Constitutional Convention and called for representation of each state in Congress to be proportional too its population

Consent of the Governed

Given the power by the people, the govt is able to govern them

Articles of Confederation

The first constitution of the United States, adopted by Congress in 1777 and ratified in 1781. Established the Continental Congress as the national legislature, but left most authority with the state legislature

Shay’s Rebellion

A series of attacks on courthouses by a small band of farmers to block foreclosure proceedings

Separation of Powers

A feature of the Constitution that requires the three branches of govt to be relatively independent of each other so that no one branch can control the others

Check and Balances

Features of the Constitution that requires each branch of the govt to obtain the consent of the others for its actions; they limit each others powers

Federalists

Wanted the U.S. Constitution

Anti-Federalists

Did NOT want the U.S. Constitution

Federalist Papers

A set of 85 essays that advocate for the ratification of the Constitution and provide insightful commentary on the nature of the new system of govt

Supremacy Clause

Constitutional Article VI: makes the new Constitution, national laws, and treaties superior over state laws as long as the national govt is acting within its constitutional limits

Enumerated Powers

Powers of the federal govt that are listed explicitly in the Constitution

Implied Powers

Powers that aren’t explicitly stated but are in accordance to the necessary and proper clause

Elastic Clause

Allows the necessary and proper clause

Federalism

An organization of a nation where two or more levels of govt share formal authority over the same area and people

John Locke

An English philosopher and physician, regarded as one of the most influential Enlightenment thinkers, known for his ideas on the social contract, natural rights, and the influence of government on individual freedoms

Federalist #51

An essay written by James Madison that addresses the means by which appropriate checks and balances can be established in government and advocates for a separation of powers within the national government

Social Contract

The theory that individuals give up some freedoms and submit to an authority in exchange for protection of their remaining rights

Reserved Rights

Rights that are not specifically granted to the federal government nor prohibited to the states by the Constitution are left for the states or the people

Necessary and Proper Clause

Gives Congress the power to make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing powers and all other powers vested by this Constitution in the government of the United States

The Great Compromise

An agreement reached during the Constitutional Convention that established a bicameral legislature, with the House of Representatives based on population and the Senate having equal representation for each state

Popular Sovereignty

The idea that the government gets its power from the people

Unalienable Rights

Rights that are inherent and cannot be taken away or denied, often associated with life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness

Federalist #10

An essay written by James Madison that argues for the importance of a large republic in controlling factions and protecting minority rights