Shared Flashcard Set

Details

GHSGT Review - Civics, US History to 1865
Establishment of US Constitution Vocabulary Review for GHSGT
14
History
11th Grade
02/24/2011

Additional History Flashcards

 


 

Cards

Term
United States Constitution
Definition
Document written in 1787 (ratified in 1789) that establishes the basic structure and purpose of the United States' government
Term
Articles of Confederation
Definition
The first attempt at writing an organized constitution following the Revolutionary War, plagued with many weaknesses and impractical checks and balances
Term
Shays' Rebellion
Definition
Event revolving around farmers in Massachusetts who - after feeling like they were taken advantage of by the local judiciary - ransacked a local armory in defiance of law enforcement; pointed out the need for a standing national military
Term
power of the executive
Definition
Refers to Article II of the constitution that establishes the powers of the President and his Executive Branch
Term
checks and balances
Definition
A system by which each of the branches of government (legislative, judicial, executive) are given the ability to disapprove or deny actions of the other two branches
Term
Federalists
Definition
Refers to the group of people that supported the Constitution and a larger central government.
anti-Federalists: Refers to the group of people that were opposed to the size of the Government established by the Constitution
Term
The Federalist
Definition
A series of essays written by John Jay, James Madison, and Alexander Hamilton arguing the merits of the new Constitution in an effort to expedite the ratification process
Term
James Madison
Definition
Important founding father who made significant contributions to the style and structure of the Constitution, The Federalist papers, and served in multiple cabinet roles and eventually as the fourth President of the United States
Term
Alexander Hamilton
Definition
Founding Father who was important for arguing the merits of the Constitution and a larger role for the central government
Term
ratification
Definition
The process of approving something; here it specifically refers to the Constitution
Term
rule of law
Definition
The idea that mans day to day actions are guided by a series of written rules and regulations rather than the whim of political officials
Term
popular sovereignty
Definition
A major principle of the constitution that says the citizens of the country are the ones who actually hold the power and that they elect officials to execute their powers for them
Term
separation of powers
Definition
Constitutional principle that takes the basic responsibilities and functions of government and divides them in to 3 branches
Term
federalism
Definition
Concept that takes powers of government and divides them into National, State, and Local levels
Supporting users have an ad free experience!