Chapter 2 Constitution Ap Gov

Front 1

Social Contract Theory

Back 1

Basically, people have to give up some of their own personal freedoms in order for the government to protect the people and their country.

Front 2

Confederation

Back 2

Is a group of a states(countries) that isn't one nation. For example the original thirteen colonies with the AoC.

Front 3

Virginia Plan

Back 3

The first step to designing a true national government. Called for a strong national union organized three branches of government, legislative, judicial, and executive. The legislature was composed of two houses; first elected by the people. Second chosen by the first house from among the people nominated by state legislatures. The executive was to be choosen by the national legislature as were members of the judiciary. The executive and judiciary were able to constitute a council of revision that could veto acts of legislature. But the veto could be overridden by legislature. Two Key Features: a national legislature would have supreme powers on all matters on which the separate states were not competent to act, as well as the power to veto any and all state laws. 2, at least one house of the legislature would be elected directly by the pople

Front 4

New Jersey Plan

Back 4

Worried of large states taking over the house. Small states introduced the New Jersey Plan. Proposed to amend not replace the old AoC. Enhanced power of national government (not at much as VA plan) left states' representation in congress unchanged from the AoC. Each state would have one vote. This kept it so congress was still powered by the states. However with more people wanting a stronger national government the small states had to change their stragety. This was to make the members of the lower house elected by the state legislature rather than the people with each state getting the same number of seats.

Front 5

Great Compromise (Connecticut Plan)

Back 5

The national legislature of today was formed taking both the VA plan and the NJ plan. The compromise was that a House of Representatives consisting initially of sixty-five members apportioned among the states roughly on the basis of population and elected by the people. A Senate consisting of two senators from each state to be chosen by the state legislatures.

Front 6

Electoral College

Back 6

The debate over how the president was elected occurred they decided to create the electoral college. The compromise was that the people would vote for a body of electors who would then elect the president.

Front 7

Republicanism

Back 7

form of government in which the country is considered a "public matter" not the private concern or property of the rulers, and where offices of states are subsequently directly or indirectly elected or appointed rather than inherited. In modern times, a common simplified definition of a republic is a government where the head of state is not a monarch

Front 8

Federalism

Back 8

the idea of having a strong national government. This was John Jay, James Madison, and Alexander Hamilton. They also wrote the federalist papers.

Front 9

Checks and Balances

Back 9

Are the idea of different branches of the government so that each branch can check the power of the others to make sure one doesn't gain to much control. Congress can check the president by refusing to pass a bill. President can check congress by vetoing. Supreme Court can check congress by judging things as unconstitutional or constitutional.

Front 10

Separation of Powers

Back 10

Each branch of government (executive, judicial, legislature) authority is shared by all of this branches. Each power but is different but equal.

Front 11

Enumerated Powers

Back 11

Powers given only to the National government. For example signing treaties, printing money. The opposite of that would be reserved powers. When the state and national government share it is concurrent powers.

Front 12

Necessary and Proper clause

Back 12

Article 1 Section 8 clause 18 Congress shall have power to make any and all laws that are necessary and proper for carrying power. Which kind of happened when Congress meant to create the constitution.

Front 13

Implied powers

Back 13

powers not specifically stated in the constitution but are implied.
Congress can regulate trade.

Front 14

Judicial review

Back 14

is the ability for the Judicial branch of government to rule something as constitutional or not. Like gay marriage.

Front 15

Supremacy Clause

Back 15

Is that federal government has rule over state government. Like with medical marijuana.

Front 16

Bill of Rights

Back 16

First ten amendments of the constitution. Freedom of religion. Freedom of speech. Freedom of Press. Freedom of Assembly. Right to bear arms.

Front 17

faction

Back 17

a group with distinct political interest

Front 18

bill of attainder

Back 18

Is stated in the constitution as unconstitutional. a law that declares a person or a group of person guilty of a crime and punishing them without benefit of a judicial trial

Front 19

ex post facto law

Back 19

a law that retroactively changed the legal consequences of actions committed or relationships that existed prior to the enactment of the law. For example Megans Law.