Government: Principles of the Constitution

Separation of Powers

3 branches of government: legislative, executive, and judicial. They prevent the misused of power by one branch of government.

Judicial Review

A court that reviews all government acts and determine whether it is constitutional or not, or violates a provision of the constitution.

Federalism

A federal system that divides power between a central gov. And smaller local gov.

Checks and Balances

A system where the branches of government use to make sure that one branch doesn't overpower the other two.

Who were the federalists?

Believed in a strong federal government with shared powers, with a more established representative government, which stopped factions from being formed.

What were the Articles of Confederation?

Combination of different constitutions in each state. They all had their own established government and set of individual rights. This meant that each state had its own popular sovereignty and all power remained at the state level. This meant that there was only a congress, no executive or judicial branch to settle issues, weakened the gov.

How did they solve the issue of no enforcement on requiring states to pay taxes to support the national govt.?

Congress has the power to levy taxes to support the national government.

How did they solve the issue that states had the power to charge taxes on goods imported from other states?

Congress regulates interstate commerce.

Limited Government

Neither the government itself nor any government official is "above the law" because the people are the source of government power.

Popular Sovereignty

The power of the government is established bu the people!

Who were the Anti-Federalists?

Wanted the national gov to have more power, and did not have a Bill of Rights.