US History Chapter 5 – The Constitution of the United States – Flashcards
Unlock all answers in this set
Unlock answersquestion
Articles of Confederation
answer
Plan that established, in 1781, a limited national government in the United States, later replaced by the Constitution of the United States.
question
Legislative Branch
answer
Branch of government that makes the laws; Congress.
question
Executive Branch
answer
Branch of government, headed by the President, that enforces the laws.
question
Judicial Branch
answer
Branch of government, made up of courts and judges, that interprets and applies the laws.
question
Constitution
answer
Plan of government that describes the different parts of the government and their duties and powers.
question
Democracy
answer
Government by the people.
question
Republic
answer
Government run by the people through their elected representatives.
question
Shay's Rebellion
answer
An uprising against taxes in Massachusetts in 1786 and 1787.
question
Specie
answer
Gold or silver coin.
question
Constitutional Convention
answer
Convention that met in Philadelphia in 1787 to draft the Constitution of the United States.
question
United States Constitution
answer
Plan of government that describes the different parts of the government and their duties and powers, established in 1787.
question
Amend
answer
To revise.
question
Veto
answer
To prevent from becoming a law.
question
Great Compromise
answer
Compromise at the Constitutional Convention calling for a two-house legislature, with one house elected on the basis of population and the other representing each state equally.
question
Three-Fifths Compromise
answer
Compromise at the Constitutional Convention calling for three fifths of a state's slave population to be counted for the purposes of legislative representation.
question
Federal System of Government
answer
A system in which power is shared among state and national authorities.
question
Separation of Powers
answer
The Constitutional allotting of powers withing the federal government among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.
question
Checks and Balances
answer
System in which each of the branches of the federal government can check the actions of the other branches.
question
Electoral College
answer
Group of electors, chosen by the voters, who vote for President.
question
Ratify
answer
Approve or sanction
question
Federalists
answer
Supporters of the Constitution during the debate over its ratification; favored a strong national government.
question
Faction
answer
Group organized around a common interest and concerned only with furthering that interest.
question
Anti-Federalist
answer
Opponents of the Constitution during the debate over its ratification; opposed the concept of a strong central government.
question
Bill of Rights
answer
First ten amendments to the Constitution.
question
Inauguration
answer
Official swearing-in ceremony.
question
Cabinet
answer
Leaders of the executive departments of the federal government.
question
Domestic Affairs
answer
Issues relating to a country's internal matters.
question
Administration
answer
Term of office; also the members and agencies of the executive branch as a whole.
question
Precedent
answer
An act or a statement that becomes an example, rule, or tradition to be followed.
