Untitled Flashcards Set

Constitutional Convention: 

A 1787 gathering in Philadelphia where delegates from several states debated and drafted the U.S. Constitution, replacing the weaker Articles of Confederation. 

Articles of Confederation: 

The first governing framework of the United States (1781–1789), granting limited powers to a central government and maintaining most authority within the individual states. 

Branches of Government: 

The division of the federal government into three parts—Legislative, Executive, and Judicial—each with distinct responsibilities and powers. 

Checks and Balances: 

A system ensuring that each branch of government can limit the power of the others, preventing any one branch from becoming too dominant. 

Framers: 

The delegates who attended the Constitutional Convention and crafted the U.S. Constitution, shaping the nation's foundational principles.

Regional Differences: 

Distinct economic, social, and political interests that varied by geographical area (e.g., North vs. South), influencing debates and compromises during the founding era. 

Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise): 

An agreement at the Constitutional Convention creating a bicameral Congress, with representation in the House based on population and equal representation for all states in the Senate. 

3/5 Compromise: 

A Constitutional Convention agreement counting each enslaved individual as three-fifths of a person when determining population for taxation and representation. 

Bicameral Legislature: 

A lawmaking body divided into two separate chambers, such as the U.S. Congress, composed of the House of Representatives and the Senate. 

Electoral College: 

A system established by the Constitution for indirectly electing the President, with electors from each state casting votes based on their state's popular choice. 

Concurrent Powers: 

Authorities shared by both federal and state governments, such as taxation and the ability to make and enforce laws. 

Expressed/Implied Powers: 

Expressed powers are explicitly stated in the Constitution, while implied powers are not listed but are derived from the Necessary and Proper Clause to carry out expressed powers. 

Reserved Powers: 

Authorities not granted to the federal government and thus held by the states under the Tenth Amendment, such as regulating education and intrastate commerce. 

Popular Sovereignty: 

The principle that the government’s legitimacy is rooted in the consent and authority of the people. 

Bill of Rights: 

The first ten amendments to the Constitution, guaranteeing individual liberties and limiting government power. 

George Mason: 

A Virginian statesman and influential Anti-Federalist known for advocating strong protections for individual rights; his ideas helped inspire the Bill of Rights. 

Ratification Requirements: 

Conditions set for approval of the Constitution or its amendments; the original Constitution required approval by nine of the thirteen states. 

Amendment Requirements: 

Procedures for altering the Constitution, generally requiring proposal by two-thirds of Congress and approval by three-fourths of the states.

Federalists: 

Supporters of the new Constitution who favored a stronger central government and a more unified national structure. 

Anti-Federalists: 

Opponents of the new Constitution who feared centralized power and demanded a Bill of Rights to safeguard individual liberties. 

Pillars of the Constitution: 

Foundational principles—such as separation of powers, federalism, and popular sovereignty—that underpin the structure and function of the U.S. government. 

First/Last States to Ratify: 

Delaware was the first state to ratify the Constitution (1787), while Rhode Island became the last of the original states to do so (1790).