Government Chapter 2 Crossword Flashcards

Fundamental Concepts in Government

• Ratification: The formal approval process needed for the adoption of the Constitution.
• Representative Democracy: A system where citizens elect officials to represent their interests and make decisions on their behalf.
• Federalist Papers: A collection of writings aimed at promoting the ratification of the U.S. Constitution, addressing concerns and explaining its principles.

Early Government Structures

• Articles of Confederation: The initial governing document for the United States, creating a weak national government.
• Federalists vs. Antifederalists: Federalists supported the Constitution's ratification; Antifederalists opposed it, fearing it granted too much power to the central government.

Important Constitutional Features

• Three-Fifths Compromise: A compromise allowing states to count enslaved individuals as three-fifths of a person for representation and taxation purposes.
• Branches of Government:
  • Legislative: Responsible for law-making (Congress).
  • Executive: Enforces laws (President and administration).
  • Judicial: Interprets laws (Supreme Court and other courts).
• Bicameral Legislature: A legislative body composed of two chambers; established via the Great Compromise integrating the Virginia Plan and New Jersey Plan.

Key Amendments and Principles

• Bill of Rights: The first ten amendments to the Constitution added to protect individual liberties and secure state support for ratification.
• Popular Sovereignty: The principle that government’s authority is derived from the consent of the governed.

Notable Historical Figures

• James Madison: Known as the "Father of the Constitution" for his pivotal role in its drafting and ratification process.
• John Locke: Philosopher whose ideas on life, liberty, and property influenced the development of governmental philosophy in the U.S.

Challenges and Responses

• Shays’ Rebellion: An armed uprising demonstrating the weaknesses of the federal government under the Articles of Confederation.
• Whiskey Rebellion: A domestic revolt that tested the federal government's ability to maintain order, illustrating the Constitution's strength.

Governance Structure

• Federal Government: Often referred to as central or national government, it holds authority over states as delineated by the Constitution.
• House of Representatives: Chamber of Congress with representation based on state population.
• Senate: Chamber of Congress with equal representation from each state, regardless of population.

Governance Theories

• Factions: Groups arising from divisive interests, potentially damaging to national unity.
• Separation of Powers: The distribution of governmental powers across branches to prevent any one entity from gaining too much control; embodies the system of checks and balances.

Constitutional Changes

• Unicameral vs. Bicameral: Unicameral refers to a single legislative body, whereas bicameral consists of two, as established in the current U.S. Congress.
• Commerce Compromise: Agreement addressing trade regulations, specifically banning export taxes to encourage economic activity.