Unit 1, ch. 2

pg. 33-55

Constitutional Convention

a meeting attended by state delegates in 1787 to fix the AOC

writ of habeas corpus

the right of the people detained by the government to know the charges against them

bills of attainder

when the legislature declares someone guilty without trial

ex post facto laws

laws punishing people for acts that were not crimes at the time they were committed

Virginia Plan

plan of government calling for three-branch gov with a bicameral legislature, where more populous states would have more representation in Congress

New Jersey Plan

plan of government that provided for a unicameral legislature with equal votes for each state

Grand Committee

committee at the Constitutional Convention that worked out the compromise on representation

Great Connecticut Compromise

agreement for plan of government that had bicameral legislature with House apportioned proportionately and a Senate apportioned equally

bicameral

two-house legislature

Three-Fifths Compromise

slaves count as three-fifths of a person in calculating state representation

Compromise on Importation

Congress couldn’t restrict slave trade until 1808

separation of powers

distribution of powers across institutions to avoid making one branch too powerful

expressed or enumerated powers

authority specifically granted to branch of gov in the Constitution

necessary and proper/elastic clause

granting Congress powers necessary to carry out its enumerated powers (Article I, Section 8)

implied powers

authority of federal government beyond its expressed powers

executive branch

institution responsible for carrying out laws passed by legislative branch

checks and balances

each branch has powers that can prevent the other branches from making policy

federalism

sharing of power between national gov and states

Federalists

supporters of the proposed Constitution, who called for a strong national government

Antifederalists

those opposed to the proposed Constitution, who favored stronger state governments

Federalist Papers

series of 85 essays written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay. Published between 1787 and 1788, explaining the layout and theory behind the Constitution

Federalist No. 51

essay in which Madison argues separation of powers and federalism will prevent tyranny

faction

group of self-interested people who use the government to get what they want, trampling the rights of others in the process

Federalist No. 10

essay in which Madison argues dangers of faction can be mitigated by a large republic and republican gov

Brutus No. 1

Antifederalist Paper arguing country was too large to be governed as republic and Constitution gave too much power to national gov

unicameral

a one-house legislature

Shay’s Rebellion

a popular uprising against the government of Massachusetts

Annapolis Convention

ultimately unsuccessful meeting with low participation called to address interstate trade and navigation conflicts.

legislative branch

the institution responsible for making laws

judicial branch

the institution responsible for hearing and deciding cases through the federal courts

supremacy clause

constitutional provision declaring that the Constitution and all national laws and treaties are the supreme law of the land

amendment

the process by which changes may be made to the Constitution

Antifederalists

those opposed to the proposed Constitution, who favored stronger state governments

Politics

the attempt to influence people