Us Gov Ch. 2

Front 1

Articles of Confederation

Back 1

These were the first attempt at a new government. It was too much and later replaced by the constitution.

Front 2

Limited Government

Back 2

A political system in which the powers of the government are restricted to prevent tyranny by protecting property and individual rights.

Front 3

Monarchy

Back 3

A form of government in which power is held by a single person, or monarch, who comes to power through inheritance rather than election.

Front 4

Republicanism

Back 4

The belief that a form of government in which the interest of the people are represented through elected leaders is the best form of government.

Front 5

"Consent of the governed"

Back 5

The idea that government gains its legitimacy through regular elections in which the people living under that government participate to elect their leaders.

Front 6

Natural rights

Back 6

Also known as "unalienable rights," the declaration of independence defines them as " Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." The founders believed that upholding these rights should be the government's central purpose.

Front 7

Federalists

Back 7

Those at the constitutional convention who favored strong state governments and feared that a strong national government would be a threat to individual rights.

Front 8

Pluralism

Back 8

The idea that having a variety of partied and interests within a government will strengthen the system, ensuring that no group possesses total control.

Front 9

Virginia Plan

Back 9

A plan proposed by the larger states during the constitutional convention that based representation in the national legislature on population. The plan also included a variety of other proposals to strengthen the national government.

Front 10

New Jersey Plan

Back 10

A plan that was in response to the Virginia Plan, in which smaller states at constitutional convention proposed that each state should receive equal representation in the national legislature, regardless of size.

Front 11

Great Compromise

Back 11

A compromise between the large and small states, proposed by Connecticut, in which Congress would have two houses: a Senate with two legislators per state and a house of representatives in which each state's representation would be based on population (also known as connecticut compromise).

Front 12

Parliamentary system

Back 12

A system of government in which legislative and executive power are closely joined. The legislature (parliament) selects the chief executive (prime minister) who forms the cabinet from members of the parliament.

Front 13

Reserved powers

Back 13

As defined in the Tenth Admenment, powers that are not given to the national government by the constitution, or not prohibited to the states, are reserved by the states or the people.

Front 14

National Supremacy Clause

Back 14

Part of article VI, of the Constitution stating that the Constitution and the laws and treaties of the United States are the "supreme law of the land," meaning national laws take precedence over state laws if the two conflict.

Front 15

Three-Fifths compromise

Back 15

The states'decision during the Constitutional Convention to count each slave as three-fifths of a person in a state's population for the purpose of determining the number of House members and the distribution of taxes.

Front 16

Bill of Rights

Back 16

The first 10 amendments to the constitution; they protect individual rights and liberties.

Front 17

Necessary and proper clause

Back 17

Part of Article I, of the Constitution that grants Congress the power to pass all laws related to one of its expressed powers; also known as the elastic clause.

Front 18

Impeachment

Back 18

A negative or checking power over the branches that allows Congress to remove the president, vice president, or other "officers of the United States" (including federal judges) for abuses of power.

Front 19

Power of the purse

Back 19

The constitutional power of Congress to raise and spend money. Congress can use this as a negative or checking power over the other branches by freezing or cutting their funding.

Front 20

Judicial review

Back 20

The Supreme Court's power to strike down a law or executive branch action that it finds unconstitutional.

Front 21

Executive Powers Clause

Back 21

Part of Artical II, the Constitution that states, "The executive Power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America." This broad statement has been used to justify many assertions of presidential power.

Front 22

Commerce Clause

Back 22

Part of Article I, of the Constitution that gives Congress "the power to regulate Commerce among several states." The Supreme Court's interpretation of this clause has varied, but today it serves as the basis for much of Congress's legislation.

Front 23

Enumerated Powers

Back 23

Powers explicitly granted to Congress, the president, or the Supreme Court in the first three articles of the Constitution. Examples included Congress's power to "raise and support armies" and the presidents power as commander in chief.

Front 24

Implied powers

Back 24

Powers supported by the Constitution that are not expressly stated in it.