Civics test review 

Founders Political leaders of the colonies who influenced government life, liberty, and property John Locke's Natural Rights Separation of Powers the division of power among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government Checks and Balances A system that allows each branch of government to limit the powers of the other branches in order to prevent abuse of power "No Taxation Without Representation!" Colonists did not want to be taxed if they did not have a representative in Britain's Parliament. The Declaration of Independence 1776 statement, issued by the Second Continental Congress, explaining why the colonies wanted independence from Britain. Purpose of Government (according to the Declaration of Independence) to protect the rights of its citizens Thomas Jefferson Main author of the Declaration of Independence John Locke Thomas Jefferson used this man's ideas in the Declaration of Independence; all men are born with natural rights; they consent to be governed; the government should protect the people's rights, if not…the people can rebel. Which Enlightened thinker influenced the Declaration of Independence? Preamble an introduction to a speech or piece of writing 3/4 fraction of states that must approve a change (to amend) to the U.S. Constitution. amendment A change to the Constitution Virginia Plan "Large state" proposal for the new constitution, calling for proportional representation in both houses of a bicameral Congress. New Jersey Plan The proposal at the Constitutional Convention that called for equal representation of each state in Congress regardless of the state's population. It favored states with smaller populations. Legislative Branch Branch that makes laws Executive Branch Branch that carries out the laws Judicial Branch Branch that interprets the laws Articles of Confederation 1st central government (national government) of the U.S. 1781-1788 (weaknesses-no executive, no judicial, no power to tax, no power to enforce laws or regulate trade) The biggest success of the Articles of Confederation Winning the American Revolution Great Compromise Compromise made by Constitutional Convention in which states would have equal representation in one house of the legislature and representation based on population in the other house House of Representatives and Senate two houses of congress Congress the legislature of the United States government Representatives People who are chosen to speak and act for their fellow citizens in government U.S. Senate the upper house of the U.S. Congress; each state gets two representatives to the Senate. U.S. House of Representatives the lower (and larger) house of Congress; representation based on a state's population. Superior Federal laws are more powerful than state laws; they are _____. Supreme Law of the Land The U.S. Constitution's description of its own authority, meaning that all laws made by governments within the United States must be in compliance with the Constitution. Federal laws are superior to state laws. This is the Supremacy Clause. sovereign supreme ruler; right to rule The United States is a sovereign nation. Popular Sovereignty A belief that ultimate power resides in the people; rule by the people. We the People! central government a form of government in which the national government has most of the power, while the states have less power; national government; our federal government Shay's Rebellion A 1787 rebellion in which ex-Revolutionary War soldiers attempted to prevent foreclosures of farms as a result of high interest rates and taxes; shows the weakness of the Articles of Confederation 3/5 Compromise the decision at the Constitutional convention to count slaves as 3/5 of a person for the purpose of deciding the population and determining how many seats each state would have in Congress "Father of the Constitution" James Madison Factions Political groups that agree on objectives and policies; the origins of political parties. independent judiciary the principle that decisions from the courts are fair and impartial and are not subject to undue influence from the other branches of government Boycott A refusal to buy or use goods and services. 27 How many times has the Constitution been amended? Bill of Rights The first ten amendments to the Constitution Ratification Formal approval, final consent to the effectiveness of a constitution, constitutional amendment, or treaty 9 How many states needed to ratify the Constitution? "Necessary and Proper" clause constitutional authorization for Congress to make any law required to carry out its powers; sometimes called the "Elastic Clause" The Federalist (Federalist Papers) A collection of 85 articles written by Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison under the name "Publius" to defend the Constitution in detail. Federalists supporters of the Constitution Anti-Federalists people who opposed the Constitution without a Bill of Rights; Jefferson, Hancock, Mason and Henry Bicameral A legislature consisting of two parts, or houses Article I of the Constitution Legislative Branch ( Sets up Congress and defines its powers) Article II of the Constitution This article describes the role and power of the Executive Branch. The President and Vice President. Article III of the Constitution Judicial Branch (Supreme Court and lower federal courts) Article IV of the Constitution addresses relationship between the federal and state governments Article V of the Constitution Amending the Constitution Article VI of the Constitution States that the Constitution and Federal laws are the highest laws of the land. Federal and state officers and judges must uphold the Constitution. Supremacy clause! Article VII of the Constitution Ratification of the Constitution Limited Government The idea that certain restrictions should be placed on government to protect the natural rights of citizens. Federalism A system in which power is divided between the national and state governments Republicanism A form of government in which people elect representatives to create and enforce laws; people vote! Montesquieu Enlightened Thinker (philosopher) who advocated the separation of executive and legislative and judicial powers and checks and balances 1787 Constitution of the United States was written.