| Term | Definition |
|---|
| Constitutional Convention | 55 Men attended, it opposed a stronger national government. (Philadelphia Convention) |
| Articles of Confederation | Established in 1781, basically created a weak national government. |
| James Madison | He was the "father of the constitution" and the fourth president of the U.S. |
| New Jersey Plan | Meant to protect the interests of the small states. Would continue gov. as if still under the Articles of Confederation. |
| Virginia Plan | Called for a strong national government. Drafted by James Madison before the convention began. Would be allowed to collect taxes, make laws, and enforce the laws in courts. |
| Great Compromise | a.k.a Connecticut Compromise, called for a bicameral congress. Called for a bicameral congress. The HOR would be based on proportional representation, and the senate based on equal representation. |
| 3/5 Compromise | Free people (not slaves) were all counted, Only 3/5 of slaves were counted. |
| Federalists | Those who supported a strong national government in the new constitution. |
| Antifederalists | Those who were against a strong national government. |
| Senate | Made up of two representatives from every state to create 100 members. |
| House of Representatives | The population of a state determines the number of reps. States with a higher population have a higher amount of reps. |
| Congress | Articles of confederation, ratified in 1781, and it established a weak national government. |
| Expressed Powers | Powers specifically given to Congress in the U.S. constitution. |
| Implied Powers | Not specifically stated in the Constitution but are derived from Congress's right to make all laws necessary to carry out its expressed powers. |
| Electoral College | Every state had the legislature in which as many "electors" could vote for two people each and the highest voted was elected president. |
| President | Serves a four year term unless impeached or if he resigns. Must be at least 35 y/o to serve. May approve/veto laws, create treaties with foreign countries, nominates judges to the supreme court, appoints cabinet members, and is the commander in chief of the U.S. military. |
| Conservative | A person who favors traditional values and is reluctant to change. |
| Infrastructure | Simple things like roads, bridges, and ports. |
| Republic | A government in which all powers at government are given to people. |
| Proportional Representation | Representation in the House of Representatives based on population. |
| Patriotism | Love and Support of the country and constitution. |
| Sovereignty | The idea of supreme power or source of authority. |
| Electorate | Voters constitutionalism- Second basic principle of American gov. |
| Seperation of Powers | Division of responsibilities for government among the three branches. |
| Checks & Balances | System that provides to each branch of government some power that controls or prevents some actions of the other two branches. |
| Federalism | A system where the national and state governments share authority over the same territory and the same people. |
| Elastic Clause | Article 1, Section 8 of the U.S. constitution which gives congress the right to make all laws necessary to carry out its expressed powers. |
| Bills | Proposed Laws. |
| Budget | A plan for receiving and spending money |
| Surplus | Takes in more money then it spends. |
| Deficit | Spends more money than it takes in. |
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