Chapter 2 Flashcards
constitution
A nation’s basic law
Declaration of Independence
the document approved by representatives of the american colonies in 1776 that stated their grievances against the British monarch and declared their independence.
natural rights
rights inherent in human beings, not dependent on governments, which include life, liberty, and property.
consent of the governed
According to John Locke, the required basis of government.
limited government
the idea that certain things are out of bounds for government because if the natural rights of citizens.
Articles of Confederation
the first constitution of the United States adopted by Congress in 1777 and enacted in 1781.
Shay’s Rebellion
a series of attacks on courthouse by a small band of farmers led by revolutionary war captain Daniel Shays to block foreclosure proceedings.
U.S constitution
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.
Factions
interest groups arising from the unequal distribution of property or wealth that james madison attacked in federalist paper No. 10.
New Jersey Plan
The proposal at the constitutional convention that called for equal representation of each state in congress regardless of the states population.
Virginia Plan
the proposal at the constitutional convention that called for representation of each state in congress in proportion to that states share of the U.S population.
Connecticut Compromise
The compromise reached at the constitutional Convention that established two houses of Congress.
writ of habeas corpus
a court order forcing action.
separation of powers
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.
check and balances
an important part of the Madisonian model designed to limit governments power by requiring that power be balanced among the different governmental institutions.
republic
a form of government that derives its power, directly or indirectly , from the people.
Federalist
supporters of the of the u.s constitution at the time the states were contemplating its adoption.
anti-federalist
Opponents of the american constitution at the time when the states were contemplating its adoption.
federalist papers
a collection of 85 articles written by Alexander, Hamilton, John Jay and James Madison under the name “Plublius” to defend the constitution in detail.
Bill of Rights
The first ten amendments to the U.S Constitution, drafted in response to some of the anti-federalist concerns.
Equal Rights Amendment
a constitutional amendment originally introduced in 1923 and passed by congress in 1972 and sent to 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’.
Marbury v. Madison
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.
Judicial review
the power of the courts to determine whether acts of congress, and by implication the executive, are in accord with the U.S constitution.
