AP gov vocab chapter 2 Flashcards
Constitution
A nation’s basic law
Declaration of Independence
A document written in 1776 stating America’s grievances towards the crown and separating from Britain
Natural Rights
Rights all human beings deserve
Consent of the governed
the idea that the government gets its authority from the people under it
Limited government
The thought that restrictions should be placed to protect our natural rights
Articles of Confederations
The first constitution of the United States, adopted by congress in 1777
Shay’s Rebellon
A series of attacks on courthouses by farmers to stop foreclosures
US Constitution
The document that replaced the Articles of Confederation; our current government
Factions
Interest groups coming from unequal distributions of property
Connecticut Compromise
A policy that created the Senate and the House of Representatives so that both large and small states would have equal representation
New Jersey Plan
Called for equal representation in each state
Virginia Plan
Called for representation in proportion to the state’s population
Checks and Balances
Requires that power must be balanced among the government
Republic
a state in which the supreme power rests in the body of citizens entitled to vote and is exercised by representatives chosen directly or indirectly by them
Separation of Powers
The 3 branches of government must be almost independent from each other
Writ of Habeas Corpus
A court order making it illegal to hold someone without reason
Federalists
Supporters of the Constitution
Anti-Federalists
Opponents of the Constitution
Federalist Papers
85 articles written by Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison to defend the Constitution
Bill of Rights
First 10 amendments of the Constitution
Equal Right Amendment
Passed but not ratified in 1972, says that everyone’s equal regardless of sex
Marbury vs. Madison
A case in 1803 where Chief Justice John Marshall used the Supreme Court to determine the meaning of the Constitution
Judicial Review
Power of the Courts to say whether or not acts of congress follow the constitution
