AP GOV Chapter 2A Flashcards
constitution
a nations basic law
it creates political institutions, divides power in gov, and provides rights to citizens
Natural Rights
rights automatically assumed to each and every person; cannot be taken by government
includes life liberty and the pursuit of happiness (JOHN LOCKE IDEA: life liberty and property)
John Locke
optimist; believed ppl could use the democratic gov to rule themselves
many of his ideals were used in the declaration of independence
Social Contract Theory
made by Locke and heavily inspired the dec of ind
ppl give power/consent to the social contract for protection of their rights
if the gov misuses power in a social contract ppl replace it
Dec of Ind…. who wrote it, why, and what does it declare?
written announcment of independence from britain listing all the bad things baddie georgie did and establishing what they want for their gov
written by THOMAS JEFFERSON, ben franklin, john adams, and Roger Sherman, and Robert Livingston
consent of the governed
gov derives its authority and policies from the people and the people only
limited government
the idea that gov should be “limited” to protect NATURAL RIGHTS of citizens
Articles of Confederation
OG constitution established the continental congress as the national legislature but was a WEAK CENTRAL GOVERNMENT leaving power to the states.
Shays Rebellion
a series of attacks on courthouses from group of farmers led to the annapolis meeting to fix the articles of confederation
Constitution
written in 1787; sets the institutional structure, what branches does what part and it replaced articles of confederation
constitutional convention
decided that we needed a new constitution (upgrade the articles of confederation) and resulted in the constitution soon after
Thomas Hobbs
wrote a book about how ppl are selfish and only wanted power for themselves. believed ppl needed an absolute power. pessimistitic
Virginia Plan
porportional representation (more ppl = more votes) (House of Reps)
New Jersey Plan
equal voting for every single state (Senate)
the Connecticut compromise (Great)
established senate (new jersey) and the house of reps (virginia)
writ of habeas corpus
court order demanding the reasoning for why a person is in custody
Bill of Attainder
bills that can be passed by congress or states and punish ppl without a trial
ex post facto law
bills that can be passed by congress or states and punish ppl for crimes that are not illegal or increase the penalty of an illegal act
Madisonian Model
Voters vote for the house of reps, electoral college (president), and state legislatures (senate)
senate and president vote for judical court
only direct vote for house of reps
limiting the majority
madisonian model makes it so votes can only elect house of reps directly.
seperation of powers
the branches of power executive (president), legislature (congress), and judicial (courts). they are all independent of each other and power is balanced between them
checks and balances
feature of gov that requires other branches to limit power of other branches and consent each other to prevent tyranny
