Chapter 2

Question 1

Constitution

Answer 1

A basic law of a nation. It creates political institutions, assigns or divides powers in government, and often provides certain guarantees to citizens. Constitutions can be either written or unwritten

Question 2

Declaration of independence

Answer 2

the document approved by representatives of the American colonies in 1776 that stated their grievances against the British monarch and declared their independence

Question 3

Natural Rights

Answer 3

rights inherent in human beings, not dependent on governments, which include life, liberty, and property. The concept of natural rights was central to the theories about government of English philosopher John Locke, and was widely accepted among Founding Fathers of America. Thomas Jefferson echoed echoed the language of Locke in drafting the Declaration of Independence

Question 4

Consent of the governed

Answer 4

according to John Locke, the required basis for government. The Declaration of Independence reflects the view of Lock that governments derive their authority from the consent of the governed

Question 5

Limited government

Answer 5

the idea that certain things are out of bounds for government because of the natural rights of citizens. Limited government was central to the philosophy of John Locke in the seventeenth century, and it contrasted sharply with the prevailing view of the divine right of monarchs

Question 6

Articles of Confederation

Answer 6

the first constitution of the United States, adopted by Congress in 1777 and enacted in 1781. The Articles established a national legislature, the Continental Congress, but most authority rested with the state legislatures

Question 7

Rebellion of Shay

Answer 7

a series of attacks of courthouses by a small band of farmers led by revolutionary war Captain Daniel Shays to block foreclosure proceedings

Question 8

U.S. Constitution

Answer 8

the document written in 1787 and ratified in 1788 that sets forth the institutional structure of U.S. government and the tasks these institutions perform. It replaced the Articles of Confederation.

Question 9

Factions

Answer 9

interest groups arising form the unequal distribution of property or wealth that James Madison attacked in Federalist Paper No. 10. The parties of today or interest groups are what Madison had in mind when he warned of the instability in government caused by factions

Question 10

New Jersey Plan

Answer 10

the proposal at the Constitutional Convention that called for equal representation of each state in Congress regardless of the population of state

Question 11

Virginia Plan

Answer 11

the proposal at the Constitutional Convention that called for representation of each state in Congress in proportion to the share of that state of the U.S. population

Question 12

Connecticut Compromise

Answer 12

the compromise reached at the Constitutional Convention that established two houses of Congress: the House of Representatives, in which representation is based on a share of state of the U.S. population, and the Senate, in which each state has two representatives

Question 13

Writ of Habeas Corpus

Answer 13

a court order requiring jailers to explain to a judge why they are holding a prisoner in custody

Question 14

Separation of powers

Answer 14

an important part of the Madisonian model that requires each of the three branches of government - executive, legislative, and judicial - to be relatively independent of the others so that one cannot control the others. Power is shared among these three institutions

Question 15

Checks and balances

Answer 15

an important part of the Madisonian model designed to limit the power of government by requiring that power be balanced among the different governmental institutions. These institutions continually check activities of one another. This system reflects the goal of Madison of setting power against power

Question 16

republic

Answer 16

a form of government that derives its power, directly or indirectly, from the people. Those chosen to govern are accountable to those whom they govern. In contrast to a direct democracy, in which people themselves make laws, in a republic the people select representatives who makes the laws

Question 17

federalists

Answer 17

supporters of the U.S. Constitutions at the time the states were contemplating its adoption.

Question 18

Anti-Federalists

Answer 18

opponents of the American Constitution at the time when the states were contemplating its adoption. They argues that the Constitution was a class-based document, that it would erode fundamental liberties, and that it would weaken the power of the states

Question 19

Federalist Papers

Answer 19

a collection of 85 articles written by Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison under the name “Publius” to defend the Constitution in detail. Collectively, these papers are second only to the U.S. Constitution in characterizing the intents of framers

Question 20

Bill of Rights

Answer 20

the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution, drafted in response to some of the Anti-Federalist concerns. These amendments define such basic liberties as freedom of religion, speech, and press and offer protections against arbitrary searches by the police and being held without talking to a lawyer

Question 21

Equal Rights Amendment

Answer 21

a constitutional amendment originally introduced in 1923 and passed by Congress in 1972 and sent to the state legislatures for ratification, stating that “equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex.” Despite substantial public support and an extended deadline, the amendment failed to acquire the necessary support from three-fourths of the state legislatures.

Question 22

Marbury vs. Madison

Answer 22

the 1803 case in which Chief Justice John Marshall and his associates first asserted the right of the Supreme Court to determine the meaning of the U.S. Constitution. The decision established the power of Court of judicial review over acts of Congress, in the case the Judiciary Act of 1789

Question 23

Judicial Review

Answer 23

the power of the courts to determine whether acts of Congress, and by implication the executive, are in accord with the U.S. Constitution. Judicial review was established by John Marshall and his associates in Marbury v. Madison