Chapter 3 Review31 Total Terms
Chapter 3 Key Terms & Vocabulary
Comprehensive index of all scientific terms, definitions, and examples across Chapter 3: The United States Constitution (1787).
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From Section 3.1: The United States Constitution (1787) (Primary Text)
BicameralismConstitutional Law
A legislative system consisting of two separate houses or chambers (in the U.S. context, the Senate and the House of Representatives).
Example: Article I establishes Congress as a bicameral legislature to balance popular representation with state equality.
From Section 3.1: The United States Constitution (1787) (Primary Text)
Habeas CorpusLegal History
A legal writ requiring a person under arrest to be brought before a judge or into court, securing release unless lawful grounds are shown for detention.
Example: Article I, Section 9 mandates that the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended unless in cases of rebellion or invasion.
From Section 3.1: The United States Constitution (1787) (Primary Text)
Bill of AttainderConstitutional Law
A legislative act that inflicts punishment on individuals or specific groups without a judicial trial.
Example: The Constitution explicitly prohibits both Congress and the states from passing any bill of attainder.
From Section 3.1: The United States Constitution (1787) (Primary Text)
Ex Post Facto LawConstitutional Law
A law that retroactively changes the legal consequences of acts committed before the enactment of the law.
Example: Article I prohibits the federal government and state legislatures from passing ex post facto laws.
From Section 3.1: The United States Constitution (1787) (Primary Text)
ElectorsPolitical Institutions
Members of the Electoral College chosen by the states to formally cast votes for the President and Vice President.
Example: Article II outlines how each state appoints electors equal to its total number of Senators and Representatives.
From Section 3.1: The United States Constitution (1787) (Primary Text)
ImpeachmentConstitutional Law
The formal process by which the House of Representatives brings charges against a civil officer of government for high crimes and misdemeanors.
Example: The House holds the sole power of impeachment, while the Senate conducts the trial.
From Section 3.1: The United States Constitution (1787) (Primary Text)
Supremacy ClauseFederalism
The provision in Article VI declaring that federal law is the supreme law of the land over state laws.
Example: State judges must rule in accordance with federal treaties and statutes due to the Supremacy Clause.
From Section 3.1: The United States Constitution (1787) (Primary Text)
Republican Form of GovernmentPolitical Philosophy
A system of government in which power resides in the people and is exercised through elected representatives.
Example: Article IV guarantees every state in the Union a republican form of government.
From Section 3.2: Modern Translation & Plain-English Guide
Separation of PowersConstitutional Law
The division of government responsibilities into distinct branches to limit any one branch from exercising the core functions of another.
Example: Congress makes laws, the President enforces them, and the Supreme Court interprets them.
From Section 3.2: Modern Translation & Plain-English Guide
FederalismPolitical Structure
A system of government where power is divided and shared between a central national government and individual state governments.
Example: The federal government regulates interstate commerce, while states oversee public education and local police.
From Section 3.2: Modern Translation & Plain-English Guide
Enumerated PowersConstitutional Law
Specific powers explicitly granted to Congress or the federal government written directly in the Constitution.
Example: The power to coin money, declare war, and collect taxes.
From Section 3.2: Modern Translation & Plain-English Guide
Elastic Clause (Necessary and Proper Clause)Constitutional Law
The constitutional provision giving Congress the authority to pass all laws necessary and proper for carrying out its enumerated powers.
Example: Enabling Congress to create a national bank or regulate interstate highways even though they are not explicitly named in Article I.
From Section 3.2: Modern Translation & Plain-English Guide
Supremacy ClauseConstitutional Law
The clause in Article VI stating that the Constitution and federal laws are the supreme law of the land, superseding conflicting state laws.
Example: Federal civil rights laws override any state laws attempting to enforce segregation.
From Section 3.2: Modern Translation & Plain-English Guide
Due ProcessCivil Liberties
The constitutional guarantee that the government must respect all legal rights that are owed to a person, ensuring fair and impartial legal procedures.
Example: The right to a fair trial, legal representation, and notification of charges before being deprived of life, liberty, or property.
From Section 3.2: Modern Translation & Plain-English Guide
Equal ProtectionCivil Rights
A constitutional guarantee under the 14th Amendment that no state shall deny any person within its jurisdiction equal protection of the laws.
Example: Prohibiting states from passing discriminatory laws that treat similarly situated citizens differently based on race or gender.
From Section 3.2: Modern Translation & Plain-English Guide
Popular SovereigntyPolitical Philosophy
The political principle that the authority of a state and its government is created and sustained by the consent of its people.
Example: Citizens voting in democratic elections to choose their representatives and direct policy.
From Section 3.3: Core Principles & Constitutional Arguments
Popular SovereigntyPolitical Philosophy
The principle that the authority of a state and its government are created and sustained by the consent of its people, who are the source of all political power.
Example: Exemplified by the opening phrase of the Preamble,
From Section 3.3: Core Principles & Constitutional Arguments
Separation of PowersConstitutional Law
An act of vesting the legislative, executive, and judicial powers of government in separate bodies to prevent the concentration of tyrannical power.
Example: Dividing lawmaking authority (Article I), law enforcement (Article II), and adjudication (Article III).
From Section 3.3: Core Principles & Constitutional Arguments
Checks and BalancesConstitutional Law
Constitutional mechanisms that allow each branch of government to amend or veto acts of another branch so as to maintain a balanced distribution of power.
Example: The presidential veto of a congressional bill or congressional override with a two-thirds vote (Article I, Section 7).
From Section 3.3: Core Principles & Constitutional Arguments
FederalismPolitical Science
A system of government in which sovereignty is constitutionally divided between a central national authority and constituent political units like states.
Example: The division of authority between federal powers (Article I, Section 8) and reserved state powers.
From Section 3.3: Core Principles & Constitutional Arguments
Supremacy ClauseConstitutional Law
The clause in Article VI of the Constitution establishing that federal laws and treaties constitute the supreme law of the land, binding state judges regardless of state laws.
Example: Federal statutes overriding conflicting state legislation in matters of national commerce or treaty obligations.
From Section 3.3: Core Principles & Constitutional Arguments
Enumerated PowersConstitutional Law
The powers explicitly granted to Congress and the federal government directly in the text of the Constitution.
Example: The power to coin money, declare war, and regulate commerce among the states (Article I, Section 8).
From Section 3.3: Core Principles & Constitutional Arguments
Necessary and Proper ClauseConstitutional Law
The constitutional provision (Article I, Section 8, Clause 18) giving Congress the authority to make all laws necessary and proper for executing its enumerated powers.
Example: The establishment of a national bank to facilitate federal taxation, borrowing, and commerce regulation.
From Section 3.3: Core Principles & Constitutional Arguments
Rule of LawPolitical Philosophy
The political ideal that all citizens and institutional actors within a society are equally accountable to publicly promulgated, independently adjudicated laws.
Example: The constitutional requirement that even the President and members of Congress take an oath to support the Constitution and remain subject to impeachment.
From Section 3.4: Historical Context, Debate & Modern Impact
Articles of ConfederationHistorical Context
The first constitution of the United States (1781–1789), which established a decentralized confederation with a weak central government lacking executive, judicial, and taxation powers.
Example: Under the Articles of Confederation, Congress could not raise taxes to pay off Revolutionary War debts.
From Section 3.4: Historical Context, Debate & Modern Impact
Great CompromiseConstitutional Structure
An agreement at the 1787 Convention creating a bicameral legislature with a population-based House of Representatives and an equal-representation Senate.
Example: Small states and large states reached a middle ground through the Connecticut Compromise.
From Section 3.4: Historical Context, Debate & Modern Impact
Three-Fifths CompromiseHistorical Context
A constitutional agreement counting three-fifths of the enslaved population for purposes of congressional representation and direct taxation.
Example: Southern states increased their political leverage in Congress via the Three-Fifths Compromise.
From Section 3.4: Historical Context, Debate & Modern Impact
FederalistsPolitical Philosophy
Proponents of the 1787 Constitution who advocated for a strong national government, centralized financial system, and ratification through Federalist papers.
Example: Alexander Hamilton and James Madison penned essays defending executive power as Federalists.
From Section 3.4: Historical Context, Debate & Modern Impact
Anti-FederalistsPolitical Philosophy
Critics of the 1787 Constitution who argued it concentrated dangerous power in the federal government and demanded a Bill of Rights.
Example: Patrick Henry opposed the Constitution out of fear it would trample state sovereignty.
From Section 3.4: Historical Context, Debate & Modern Impact
Judicial ReviewConstitutional Law
The power of the courts to examine executive and legislative acts and declare them null and void if they violate the Constitution.
Example: Marbury v. Madison established the Supreme Court
From Section 3.4: Historical Context, Debate & Modern Impact
Separation of PowersConstitutional Structure
The division of government responsibilities into distinct branches to limit any one branch from exercising the core functions of another.
Example: Article I, II, and III separate legislative, executive, and judicial powers.