AP Gov Ch 1 The Constitution 2023 exam study guide with correct answers verified for accuracy

advice and consent The power of Congress to confirm or deny executive appointments and treaties. + 1 more side Anti-Federalists Anti-Federalists rose up as the opponents of the Constitution during the period of ratification. They opposed the Constitution's powerful centralized government, arguing that the Constitution gave too much political, economic, and military control. They instead advocated a decentralized governmental structure that granted most power to the states + 1 more side Articles of Confederation 1st Constitution of the U.S. (weaknesses-no executive, no judicial, no power to tax, no power to regulate trade) + 1 more side bicameral 2 chambers; Congress has the Senate and the House of Representatives + 1 more side Bill of Rights A formal statement of the fundamental rights of the people of the United States, incorporated in the Constitution as Amendments 1-10, and in all state constitutions. + 1 more side checks and balances A system that allows each branch of government to limit the powers of the other branches in order to prevent abuse of power + 1 more side commerce clause The clause in the Constitution (Article I, Section 8, Clause 1) that gives Congress the power to regulate all business activities that cross state lines or affect more than one state or other nations. + 1 more side Declaration of Independence The document approved by representatives of the American colonies in 1776 that stated their grievances against the British monarch and declared their independence. + 1 more side Electoral College System The system responsible for electing the president. The number of delegates in each state is the sum of their representatives and senators. This system was instituted because the Framers feared that direct election of the president would lead to mob rule. + 1 more side enumerated powers Powers specifically given to Congress in the Constitution; including the power to collect taxes, coin money, regulate foreign and interstate commerce, and declare war. + 1 more side extradition A legal process whereby an alleged criminal offender is surrendered by the officials of one state to officials of the state in which the crime is alleged to have been committed. + 1 more side Federalist Papers a series of 85 essays written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay (using the name "Publius") published in New York newspapers. These essays were used to convince readers to adopt the new constitution. + 1 more side federalism A system of government in which a written constitution divides power between a central or national government, and several regional or state governments. + 1 more side Federalists Supporters of the Constitution They firmly believed the national government should be strong. They did not want the Bill of Rights because they felt citizens' rights were already well protected by the Constitution. + 1 more side Great Compromise 1787; This compromise was between the large and small states of the colonies. The Great Compromise resolved that there would be representation by population in the House of Representatives, and equal representation would exist in the Senate. Each state, regardless of size, would have 2 senators. All tax bills and revenues would originate in the House. This compromise combined the needs of both large and small states and formed a fair and sensible resolution to their problems. + 1 more side House of Representatives One of the two parts of Congress, considered the "lower house." Representatives are elected directly by the people, with the number of representatives for each state determined by the state's population. It has the power to impeach. It has 435 members. + 1 more side Impeachment An action by the House of Representatives to accuse the president, vice president, or other civil officers of the United States of committing "Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors." + 1 more side James Madison "Father of the Constitution". His proposals for an effective government became the Virginia Plan, which was the basis for the Constitution. He was responsible for drafting most of the language of the Constitution. + 1 more side John Locke English philosopher who advocated the idea of a "social contract" in which government powers are derived from the consent of the governed and in which the government serves the people; also said people have natural rights to life, liberty and property. + 1 more side judicial review The power of the Supreme Court to declare laws and actions of local, state, or national governments unconstitutional. Established in Marbury v. Madison (informal amendment to Constitution) + 1 more side Marbury v. Madison (1803) Under Chief Justice John Marshall, the Supreme Court of the United States held that ONLY the Supreme Court of the United States has the power to declare laws unconstitutional. Established judicial review. + 1 more side national supremacy Constitutional doctrine that whenever conflict occurs between the constitutionally authorized actions of the national government and those of a state or local government, the actions of the federal government prevail. + 1 more side natural law God's or nature's law that defines right from wrong and is higher than human law + 1 more side necessary and proper (elastic) clause Clause of the Constitution (Article I, Section 8, Clause 3) setting forth the implied powers of Congress. It states that Congress, in addition to its express powers, has the right to make all laws necessary and proper to carry out all powers the Constitution vests in the national government + 1 more side