Chapter 2 APUSGOV

Constitution

The fundamental law of the United States that establishes the framework of government, delineates the powers of the government branches, and guarantees individual rights.

Republic

A form of government in which the country is considered a "public matter," and is not the private concern or property of the rulers. In a republic, the affairs of the state are a public matter, and officials are accountable to the public.

Articles of Confederation

The first governing document of the United States, created in 1781, which established a weak central government and was eventually replaced by the Constitution.

Unicameral

A legislative system with a single chamber, where all members meet as one body to make laws and decisions.

Shays rebellion

An armed uprising in 1786-1787 led by Daniel Shays, protesting economic injustices and the lack of government response to issues faced by farmers in Massachusetts.

Constitutional Convention

A gathering in 1787 where delegates from the states convened to address the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and ultimately resulted in the drafting of the U.S. Constitution.

Writ of habeas corpus

This writ serves as a protection against unlawful detention or imprisonment, ensuring that individuals are not held without just cause.

Bills of attainder

Legislative acts that declare a person or group guilty of a crime without a trial. Bills of attainder are prohibited by the U.S. Constitution, as they undermine the principle of due process and the right to a fair judicial trial.

Ex post facto laws

Laws that criminalize actions retroactively, punishing individuals for acts that were legal when committed

Virginia Plan

A proposal for a strong national government with three branches, favored by larger states for representation based on population.

New Jersey Plan

A proposal for a weak national government with equal representation for each state, regardless of population.

Grand Committee

A group formed to resolve disagreements at the Constitutional Convention, drafting the framework for the U.S. Constitution.

Great Connecticut Compromise

An agreement that established a bicameral legislature with proportional representation in one house and equal representation in the other.

Bicameral

A legislature with two chambers.

Three-Fifths Compromise

An agreement counting three-fifths of the enslaved population for representation and taxation.

Compromise on Importation

An agreement at the Constitutional Convention limiting the federal government’s ability to regulate or ban the slave trade until 1808.

Separation of Powers

The division of government responsibilities into distinct branches to prevent any one branch from exerting too much power.

Checks and Balances

System ensuring that no branch of government exceeds its power by allowing each branch to limit the others.

Federalism

The distribution of power between a central government and regional governments.

Legislative Branch

The part of government responsible for making laws.

Expressed

Powers explicitly granted to Congress by the Constitution.

Necessary and proper or elastic cause

Powers granted to Congress by the Constitution to enact laws needed to execute its enumerated powers.

Implied Powers

Powers not explicitly listed in the Constitution but inferred from the necessary and proper clause.

Executive Branch

The branch of government responsible for enforcing laws, led by the President.

Judicial Branch

The branch of government responsible for interpreting laws and resolving legal disputes, headed by the Supreme Court.

Supremacy Clause

States that the Constitution, federal laws, and treaties are the supreme law of the land

Amendment

A formal change or addition to the Constitution.

Federalist

Supporters of a strong national government and the ratification of the U.S. Constitution

Anti-Federalist

Opponents of a strong national government and the ratification of the U.S. Constitution.

Federalist Papers

A series of 85 essays written to promote ratification of the U.S. Constitution.

Federalist No. 51

An essay by James Madison explaining the need for checks and balances in government.

Faction

A group of people with shared interests or passions that may harm the rights of others or the common good

Federalist No. 10

An essay by James Madison arguing that a large republic can control factions and prevent tyranny

Brutus No. 1

An anti-Federalist essay arguing that a large, centralized government would be too powerful and threaten individual liberties