Chapt 2 Key Terms!

Question 1

anti-federalist

Answer 1

opposed to a strong central gov’t - opposed to ratification in 1787

Question 2

bicameral legislature

Answer 2

two parts - chambers.

Question 3

checks/balances

Answer 3

each branch of gov’t can check the actions of others

Question 4

confederation

Answer 4

retain ultimate authority except for those powers from central gov’t

Question 5

electoral college

Answer 5

elect the president/vice of US. electors are selected by state and district of columbia

Question 6

federalist

Answer 6

in favor of adoption of US Constitution

Question 7

great compromise

Answer 7

also called connecticut compromise; between new jersey and virginia created one chamber of congress based on population and one chamber representing each state equally.

Question 8

judicial review

Answer 8

power of court to examine/declare unconstitutional federal or state laws and other acts

Question 9

legislature

Answer 9

gov’t body responsible for making of laws

Question 10

Madisonian Model

Answer 10

proposed by James Madison - powers of gov’t are separated into 3 branches: executive, legislative, and judicial.

Question 11

natural rights

Answer 11

rights to be organic in natural law, not dependent on gov’ts.

Question 12

separation of powers

Answer 12

diving powers amongst different branches of gov’t

Question 13

social contract

Answer 13

agreement among ppl to secure rights and welfare by creating gov’t and abiding by rules

Question 14

state

Answer 14

occupying specific area - organized under 1 gov’t - either nation or subunit

Question 15

supremacy doctrine

Answer 15

doctrine asserts priority of national law over state laws. stated in Article VI of the Constitution

Question 16

unicameral legislature

Answer 16

only one chamber; US congress

Question 17

ratification

Answer 17

formal approval

Question 18

3. The Declaration of Independence established as unalienable rights those of:
   a. Life, liberty, and property
   b. Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness
   c. Liberty, equality, and fraternity

Answer 18

b. Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness

Question 19

2. When the first Continental Congress convened in 1774, the British gov’t:
   a. Took no notice of it
   b. Agreed to allow the colonies to form unified gov’t
   c. Treated the meeting as an act of rebellion

Answer 19

c. Treated the meeting as an act of rebellion

Question 19

1. The Mayflower Compact, signed at Plymouth (Massachusetts) in 1620, was designed to:
   a. Separate New England from previously established colony of Virginia
   b. Require that all settlers obey the laws of the new colony
   c. Establish the Church of England in the new colony

Answer 19

b. Require that all settlers obey the laws of the new colony

Question 20

4. During the Revolutionary War era, those calling themselves republics stood for:
   a. A strong central gov’t
   b. State legislatures unchecked by national or other authority
   c. National unitity to defeat the British

Answer 20

b. State legislatures unchecked by national or other authority

Question 21

5. A major defect in the Articles of Confederation was:
   a. The lack of power to raise funds for military forces
   b. The lack of treaty-making power
   c. The inability to easily communicate with citizens

Answer 21

a. The lack of power to raise funds for military forces

Question 22

6. At the Constitutional Convention, The Great, or Connecticut, Compromise broke the deadlock between all of the following except:
   a. Supporters of the Virginia and New Jersey plans
   b. The large and small states
   c. The northern and southern states

Answer 22

c. The northern and southern states

Question 23

7. Which of the following fundamental principles was not established by the Constitution of 1787?
   a. A popular sovereignty, or control by the people
   b. Limited gov’t and written laws
   c. A requirement that state gov’t uphold the liberties listed in the Bill of Rights

Answer 23

c. A requirement that state gov’t uphold the liberties listed in the Bill of Rights

Question 24

8. When no branch of gov’t – executive, legislative, or judicial – is able to dominate the others, we call this:
   a. Effective gov’t
   b. The separation of powers
   c. Limited gov’t

Answer 24

b. The separation of powers

Question 25

9. Those who opposed the ratification of the Constitution were called:
   a. Anti-federalists
   b. Federalists
   c. Loyalists

Answer 25

a. Anti-federalists

Question 26

10. The majority drafter of the Bill of Rights was:
    a. Washington
    b. Jefferson
    c. Madison

Answer 26

c. Madison

Question 27

11. The reason the Us Constitution has so few amendments is that:
    a. The formal amendment process is exceedingly difficult
    b. The constitution was written so well that it hasn’t needed to be amended
    c. Congress doesn’t have time to consider new amendments

Answer 27

a. The formal amendment process is exceedingly difficult

Question 28

12. When an amendment to the constitution is sent to the state legislatures, how many must approve it if it is to be adopted?
    a. A majority of the states
    b. Two-thirds of the states
    c. Three-quarters of the states

Answer 28

c. Three-quarters of the states