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POLYSCI CH 2 (The Constitution)

Terms in this set (39)

Anti-Federalists
those who favored more localized government in which citizens would protect the interests of each other; they were opposed to the new Constitution
Articles of Confederation
The first constitution of what would become the US in which sovereignty rested with the 13 constituent states
Bicameral
a legislature consisting of 2 houses
Confederation
A system of government in which the constituent units are sovereign
Connecticut Plan or "Great Compromise"
the creation of a bicameral system of representation which balance the interests of the large and small states
Constitutionalism
the creation of a basic law which places limits on the power that can be exercised by government and establishes rights for those who are governed
Declaration of Independence
Document in which the colonies formally declared their independence from Great Britain
Federalists
those who advocated a nationalist vision of a strong central government that would be able to exert its influence westward and become a major global actor; they were in favor of the new Constitution
Madisonian Model
dividing government into 3 branches which must share power with each through a system of "checks and balances"
Natural Rights
rights which individuals have simply by virtue of being human. Subsequently, individuals cannot be separated from these rights; they are unalienable
New Jersey Plan
a plan for representation which favored smaller states
Procedural constitution
a constitution which sets out the procedures government is to carry out the task of governing
Representative democracy
a system in which the people elect representatives to carry out the task of governing
Republicanism
a system of governance in which political power rests with the people who exercise that power through representatives who govern on behalf of the masses and not the elites
Social contract
when rational individuals agree to give up some of their liberties in order to form a government which will protect their natural rights
Sovereignty
a government which has complete control over a state
Spirit of '76
the sense of Republicanism and equality that swept through the colonies following the Declaration of Independence
The-fifths compromise
a compromise in which each slave was counted as 3/5ths of a person for the purposes of determining representation to the House of Representatives and for determining per-capita taxes paid by the states to the central government
Virginia Plan
a plan for representation which favored larger states
Article 1 (Articles of Confederation [First Constitution])
Lays out powers and limitations on Congressional power. Intended a parliamentary system. Legislature sets agenda, legislature responds to public
Article I section 8 (Articles of Confederation [First Constitution])
Sets out powers of Congress
Article I section 9 (Articles of Confederation [First Constitution])
limitations set out
Article I sections 2 through 7 (Articles of Confederation [First Constitution])
selection of members of Congress, duties of each House, how a bill becomes a law
Article I section 10 (Articles of Confederation [First Constitution])
limits states in their powers
Article II of (Articles of Confederation [First Constitution])
Covers powers and limitations of Executive branch
Article II Section I (Articles of Confederation [First Constitution])
all executive power is vested in the president
Article II section II (Articles of Confederation [First Constitution])
commander in chief clause
Article II section III (Articles of Confederation [First Constitution])
state of union report, convene the Congress, "Take care that laws be faithfully executed"
Article II section IV (Articles of Confederation [First Constitution])
removal (impeachment)
Congress ____s laws, the President makes sure laws_________.
make; are faithfully executed
Article III (Articles of Confederation [First Constitution])
sets up supreme court, Outlines the judiciary, gives congress power over the lower courts
Article IV (Articles of Confederation [First Constitution])
deals with how union is formed, Congress has power of who becomes member of Union, states must respect laws of other states
Article V (Articles of Confederation [First Constitution])
contains process for amending the Constitution
Article VI (Articles of Confederation [First Constitution])
Requires Oath of Office to support constitution
Supremacy Clause
The Supremacy Clause is the provision in Article Six, Clause 2 of the United States Constitution that establishes the United States Constitution, federal statutes, and treaties as "the supreme law of the land."

Main vehicle for altering the relationship between the federal government and the states
Some issues with Articles of Confederation
Limited national government
• Power came from the states
• No executive branch or judiciary
• No means to raise revenue
• States were free riders
Differences Between Articles and Constitution
Articles: Powers given by states
No ability to tax and spend

Constitution: - Power through popular sovereignty
- Coin money
- Tax and spend
List all separate articles in constitution in order
1) Legislative, 2)Executive , 3) Judicial, 4) Unions, 5) Amending constitution, 6) Supremacy clause (relationship between federal gov and states) Oath of office 7) Ratification
Martins v. Hunter's Lessee 1816
The Court decided whether Virginia could declare the
Judiciary Act of 1789, passed by Congress and signed
by the President, unconstitutional.
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