Ch. 2 The Constitution Flashcards
-Explain how evolving debates about liberty led from the Revolutionary War -Discuss the major proposals for and compromise over representation in the Constitutional Convention -Summarize the key issues presented by Federalists and Antifederalists in ratification debates for the Constitution -Discuss continuing debates about democracy and the Constitution
unalienable
a human right based on nature or God
Articles of Confederation (1781)
a weak constitution that governed America during the Revolutionary War
Constitutional Convention (1787)
a meeting in Philadelphia that produced a new constitution
Shay’s Rebellion (1787)
rebellion in which ex-Revolutionary War soldiers attempted to prevent foreclosures of farms as a result of high interest rates and taxes
Virginia Plan
proposal to create a strong national government with key features: (1) national legislature would have ultimate authority over any issues that individual states are unable to address and have power to override state laws
(2) at least one house of the legislature would be elected directly by the people
New Jersey Plan
proposal to create a weak national government; amend the Articles of Confederation
Great Compromise
plan to have a popularly elected House based on state population and a state-selected Senate, with two members for each state: bicameral legislature
republic
a government in which elected representatives make the decisions
judicial review
the power of the courts to declare laws unconstitutional
federalism
government authority shared by national and local governments
enumerated powers
powers given to the national government alone
reserved powers
powers given to the state government alone
concurrent powers
powers shared by the national and state governments
separation of powers
sharing of constitutional authority by multiple branches of government
checks and balances
Constitutional ability of multiple branches of government to limit each other’s power
faction
a group with a distinct political interest
Federalists
those who favor a stronger national government
Antifederalists
those who favor a weaker national government
coalition
an alliance of groups
habeas corpus
an order to produce an arrested person before a judge
bill of attainder
a law that declares a person, without a trial, to be guilty of a crime
ex post facto law
a law that makes an act criminal even though the act was legal when it was committed
Amendment 1 (Bill of Rights)
Freedom of religion, speech, press, and assembly; the right to petition the government
Amendment 2 (Bill of Rights)
Right to bear arms
Amendment 3 (Bill of Rights)
Troops may not be quartered in homes in peacetime
Amendment 4 (Bill of Rights)
No unreasonable searches or seizures
Amendment 5 (Bill of Rights)
Grand jury indictment required to prosecute a person for a serious crime; no “double jeopardy”; prohibition on forced self-incrimination no loss of life, liberty, or property without due process
Amendment 6 (BoR)
Right to speedy, public, impartial trial with defense counsel and right to cross-examine witnesses
Amendment 7 (BoR)
Jury trials in civil suits where value exceeds $20
Amendment 8 (BoR)
No excessive bail or fines, no cruel and unusual punishments
Amendment 9 (BoR)
Unlisted rights are not necessarily denied
Amendment 10 (BoR)
Powers not delegated to the U.S. or denied to states are reserved to the states
