Ap Gov Chapter 2

Front 1

Articles of Confederation

Back 1

The first governing document of the confederated states, drafted in 1777, ratified in 1781, and replaced by the present Constitution in 1789

Front 2

Constitutional Convention

Back 2

The convention in Philadelphia, May 25 to September 17, 1787, that framed the Constitution of the United States.

Front 3

Constitution

Back 3

a statement of fundamental rights and privileges (especially the first ten amendments to the United States Constitution)

Front 4

Shays Rebellion

Back 4

Rebellion by farmers in western Massachusetts in 1786-1787, protesting mortgage foreclosures; led by Daniel Shays and important because it highlighted the need for a strong national government just as the call for the Constitutional Convention went out.

Front 5

James Madison

Back 5

Wrote the Federalist papers

Front 6

Alexander Hamilton

Back 6

Wrote the Federalist papers.

Front 7

balanced government

Back 7

a form of government where power is evenly distributed through the three arms of government namely judiciary, executive and legislature. Separation of powers is the main identifying attribute of a balanced government.

Front 8

bicameralism

Back 8

Th principle of a two-house legislature.

Front 9

Virginia Plan

Back 9

Initial proposal at the Constitutional Convention made by the Virginia delegation for a strong central government with a bicameral legislature, the lower house to be elected by the voters and the upper chosen by the lower.

Front 10

New Jersey Plan

Back 10

Proposal 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.

Front 11

The Connecticut/Great Compromise

Back 11

Compromise agreement by states at the Constitutional Convention for a bicameral legislature with a lower house in which representation would be based on population and an upper house in which each state would have two senators.

Front 12

Three-fifths Compromise

Back 12

Compromise agreement between northern and southern states at the Constitutional Convention that three-fifths of the slave population would be counted for determining direct taxation and representation in the House of Representatives.

Front 13

The Federalism "The federalism Papers"

Back 13

Series of essays promoting ratification of the Constitution, published anonymously by Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison in 1787 and 1788

Front 14

Natural Law

Back 14

Gods or nature's law that defines right from wrong and is higher than human law

Front 15

Separation of Powers

Back 15

Constitutional division of powers among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, with the legislative branch making law, the executive applying and enforcing the law, and the judiciary interpreting the law.

Front 16

Checks and Balances

Back 16

Constitutional grant of powers that enables each of the three branches of government to check some acts of the others and therefore ensure that no branch can dominate

Front 17

Divided Government

Back 17

Government divided between the parties, especially when one holds the presidency and the other controls one or both houses of Congress.

Front 18

Electoral College

Back 18

A unique American institution, created by the Constitution, providing for the selection of the president by electors chosen by the state parties. Candidates who win
the popular vote in each state receive all of that states electoral votes. The candidate receiving 270 electoral votes wins the presidential election.

Front 19

Direct Primaries

Back 19

Election in which voters choose party nominees.

Front 20

Referendum

Back 20

Procedure for submitting to popular vote measures passed by the legislature or proposed amendments to a state constitution.

Front 21

Initiative

Back 21

procedure whereby a certain number of voters may, by petition, propose a law or constitutional amendment and have it submitted to the voters

Front 22

Recall

Back 22

Procedure for submitting to popular vote the removal of officials from office before the end of their term

Front 23

Administrative Agencies

Back 23

Large administrative agencies reflecting a hierarchical authority, job specialization, and rules and regulations that drive them

Front 24

Judicial Review

Back 24

The power of a court to refuse to enforce a law or a government regulation that in the opinion of the judges conflicts with the U.S. Consitution or, in a state court, the state consitution.

Front 25

Marbury v. Madison (1803)

Back 25

Marbury v. Madison is one of the most important Supreme Court cases, which set the precedent for how the judicial branch could check the powers of the executive and legislative branches.

In the end, what made it important was that it established the concept of judicial review (meaning that the Courts claimed the exclusive right to decide what is and what isnt allowed by the Constitution)

Front 26

Congressional Elaboration

Back 26

Congressional legislation that gives further meaning to the Constitution based on the sometimes gauge constitutional authority, such as the necessary and proper clause

Front 27

Impeachment

Back 27

Formal accusation against a public official, the first step in removal form office.

Front 28

Executive Orders

Back 28

Directive issued by a president or governor that has the force by law.

Front 29

Executive Privilege

Back 29

The power to keep executive communications confidential, especially if they relate to national security.

Front 30

Constitutional

Back 30

of or relating to an established set of principles governing a state

Front 31

Unconstitutional

Back 31

not in accordance with a political constitution, esp. the US Constitution, or with procedural rules.