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gov test 2 / quiz review

Terms in this set (19)

What is a Federalist?
Someone who supports the constitution (Ex: Alexander Hamilton)
What is an Antifederalist?
Someone who opposed the constitution (Ex: Samuel Adams)
What were the Federalist Papers? Who wrote them?
A series of letters supporting the ratification of the constitution. Hamilton, Madison, and John Jay wrote them.
How many states were needed in order to ratify the Constitution?
9/13 states
What were the pseudonyms used through the Federalist Papers?
Publius (Federalists) | Brutus & Federal Farmer (Antifederalists)
What is popular sovereignty?
The idea that the authority of government comes from the people
What is federalism?
A sharing of power between states and national government
How can the legislative branch check the executive branch?
Controlling spending budgets, rejecting nominees, & exercising war declaration power
How can the executive branch check the legislative branch?
Using the veto power
How does the judicial branch check other branches?
By declaring laws unconstitutional (judicial review)
What is limited government?
Government can not do whatever it wants, but rather is constrained by a set of laws
What does a vigorous civil society do?
Helps to reduce overreach of the government (Ex: People engaged with issues & were able to make voting decisions with a more educated conscience)
What is separation of powers?
Dividing government into parts each with its own powers. (Ex: judicial, legislative, & executive branches)
"If Men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls on government would be necessary. In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men, the great difficulty lies in this: you must first enable the government to control the governed; and the next place, oblige it to control itself."--Fed. 51
Quote from Federalist 51 which explains that since humans are an imperfect species, we NEED a government & laws. Essentially just tells us that a country without laws in unacceptable, hence why we have the Constitution.
What are the three parts of the Constitution?
Preamble, 7 articles, 27 amendments
What does the Preamble do?
States the goals of the Constitution
What do the 7 Articles do?
Establishes 3 branches, explains federalism, process of amending and ratifying Constitution, outlines Constitution as "supreme law of the land"
What do the 27 Amendments do?
Adds changes to the Constitution over time
Which state was the first to ratify the Constitution?
Delaware on December 7, 1787
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