Unit 1: Foundations of American Democracy Vocab study guide well done 2024/2025.

Articles of Confederation - Answers1st Constitution of the U.S. (weaknesses-no executive, no judicial, no power to tax, no power to regulate trade) Shay's Rebellion - Answers1786 revolt by Massachusetts farmers seeking relief from debt and foreclosure that was a factor in the calling of the Constitutional Convention New Jersey Plan - AnswersProposal at the Constitutional Convention made by William Paterson of New Jersey for a central government with a single-house legislature in which each state would be represented equally. Virginia Plan - AnswersInitial proposal at the Constitutional Convention made by the Virginia delegation for a strong central government with a bicameral legislature dominated by the big states. Great Compromise - AnswersCompromise made by Constitutional Convention in which states would have equal representation in one house of the legislature (Senate) and representation based on population in the other house (House of Representatives) Three-Fifths Compromise - AnswersAgreement that each slave counted as three-fifths of a person in determining representation in the House for representation and taxation purposes (negated by the 13th amendment) Federalism - AnswersA system in which power is divided between the national and state governments Dual federalism - AnswersA system of govt in which both the national and state governments are supreme in their own spheres. Federalists - AnswersA term used to describe supporters of the Constitution during ratification debates in state legislatures. Anti-federalists - AnswersOpponents of the American Constitution at the time when the states were contemplating its adoption. Federalist papers - AnswersSeries of essays that defended the Constitution and tried to reassure Americans that the states would not be overpowered by the federal government. Bill of Rights - AnswersFirst 10 amendments Judicial Review - AnswersPower of the court to determine the constitutionality of laws Representative democracy - AnswersGovernment in which the people elect those who govern and pass laws; also called a republic. Delegated powers - AnswersPowers specifically granted to the national govt by the Constitution Reserved powers - Answerspowers given specifically to the states examples (marriage laws, hold elections, regulate education, and establish local governments) Concurrent powers - AnswersPowers held jointly by the national and state governments. Full faith and credit clause - AnswersConstitution's requirement that each state accept the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of every other state Privileges and immunities clause - Answersthe Constitution prohibits states from discriminating against citizens of other states. Supremacy clause - Answersthe clause that states that the U.S. Constitution is the supreme law of the land, and that national laws are supreme over state laws, found in Article VI Categorical grants - AnswersFederal grants that can be used only for specific purposes or "categories," of state and local spending. They come with strings attached, such as nondiscrimination provisions. Compare to block grants. Separation of powers - Answersan act of vesting the legislative, executive, and judicial powers of government in separate bodies. Checks and balances - AnswersA system that allows each branch of government to limit the powers of the other branches in order to prevent abuse of power Veto - AnswersChief executive's power to reject a bill passed by a legislature Override - AnswersAn action taken by Congress to reverse the presidential veto, requiring a two-thirds majority in each chamber. Amend - Answersto add to or change Ratify - AnswersTo approve Pardons and reprieves - AnswersRelieve a person of any punishment for crime or temporarily postpone punishments Bicameral legislature - Answersa lawmaking body made up of two chambers or parts Revenue sharing - Answersdistribution of part of the federal tax income to states and municipalities Confederation - AnswersA joining of several groups for a common purpose. Commerce Clause - Answersgives Congress the power to regulate trade internationally and between states Necessary and Proper Clause - Answersgives Congress the means to execute its enumerated powers. It is the basis for implied powers. writ of habeas corpus - Answersprisoner must be brought before a judge to determine the legality of his/her imprisonment limited government - Answersa system in which the power of the government is limited, not absolute implied powers - Answersthe powers assumed by the government that are not specifically listed in the Constitution (from necessary and proper clause) Constitution - AnswersA set of documents and laws that define the government of a country. (Supreme law of the Land) inherent powers - AnswersPowers that grow out of the very existence of government. ex post facto law - Answersa law that makes an act criminal after it was committed or increases the penalty after the fact Devolution - Answersthe transfer of powers and responsibilities from the federal government to the states unfunded mandate - AnswersPrograms that the Federal government requires States to implement without Federal funding. Elastic clause - Answersanother name for the Necessary and Proper Clause block grants - AnswersFederal money given to the states with few restrictions about how it should be spent 10th amendment - AnswersThe powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people. bill of attainder - Answersa law that punishes a person accused of a crime without a trial or a fair hearing in court Brutus #1 - AnswersSmall Republic Argument (written in response to Federalist papers) -constitution will lead to large "consolidated" republic (aka no more state govs) -giving congress the power to tax only lets the states do direct taxation -a large republic cannot exist because it is impossible to have adequate representation, homogeneity in opinions, manners, etc. and adequate law enforcement. cooperative federalism (marble cake) - AnswersA system of government in which powers and policy assignments are shared between states and the national government. They may also share costs, administration, and even blame for programs that work poorly. declaration of independence - AnswersThe document approved by representatives of the American colonies in 1776 that stated their grievances against the British monarch and declared their independence. electoral college - AnswersA group selected by the states to elect the president and the vice-president, in which each state's number of electors is equal to the number of its senators and representatives in Congress. enumerated powers - AnswersPowers specifically given to Congress in the Constitution; including the power to collect taxes, coin money, regulate foreign and interstate commerce, and declare war. factions - AnswersGroups such as parties or interest groups, which according to James Madison arose from the unequal distribution of property or wealth and had the potential to cause instability in government. federalist #10 - AnswersThis essay from the Federalist Papers proposed setting up a republic to solve the problems of a large democracy (anarchy, rise of factions which disregard public good).