Chapter 2

Question 1

Declaration of Independence

Answer 1

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

Question 2

Natural rights

Answer 2

Rights inherent in human beans, not dependent on governments, which include life liberty and property

Question 3

Consent of the governed

Answer 3

The idea that government derives its authority by sanction of the people

Question 4

Limited government

Answer 4

The idea that certain restrictions should be placed on government to protect the natural rights of citizens

Question 5

Articles of confederation

Answer 5

The first constitution of the United States, adopted in Congress in 1777 and an act in 1781. The articles established a national legislature, the Continental Congress, but most authority rested with state legislators

Question 6

Shays rebellion

Answer 6

A series of attacks on courthouses it by a small band of farmers led by Revolutionary war captain Daniel Shays to block foreclosure and proceeds

Question 7

Factions

Answer 7

Interest groups arising from the unequal distribution of property or wealth that James Madison attacked and Federalist paper number 10

Question 8

New Jersey plan

Answer 8

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

Question 9

Virginia plan

Answer 9

The proposal at the Constitutional convention that called for representation of each state in Congress in proportion to that states share of the US population

Question 10

Connecticut compromise

Answer 10

The compromise reached at the Constitutional convention that established two houses of Congress the house of representatives and which representation is based on a states share of the US population and the Senate in which each state has two representatives

Question 11

Writ of habeas corpus

Answer 11

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

Question 12

Separation of powers

Answer 12

A feature of the Constitution that requires each of the three branches of government, executive, legislative, and judicial and, to be a relatively independent of the others so that one cannot control others

Question 13

Checks and balances

Answer 13

Features of the Constitution that limit government’s power by requiring that power be balanced among the different governmental institutions

Question 14

Republic

Answer 14

A form of government in which the people select representatives to govern them and make laws

Question 15

Federalists

Answer 15

Supporters of the US Constitution

Question 16

Anti-federalist

Answer 16

Opponents of the American Constitution

Question 17

Federalist papers

Answer 17

A collection of 85 articles written by Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison under the name publius to defend the Constitution and detail

Question 18

Bill of rights

Answer 18

The first 10 amendments of the U.S. Constitution, drafted in response to some of the anti-federalist concerns

Question 19

Marbury vs Madison

Answer 19

In 1803 the case in which Chief Justice John Marshall and his associates first asserted the right of Supreme Court to determine the meaning of the US Constitution

Question 20

Judicial review

Answer 20

The power of the courts to determine whether acts of Congress and, by implication, the executive are in accord with the US Constitution

Question 21

Constitution

Answer 21

A nations basic law. It creates political institutions, assigns or divides power in government, and often provides guarantees to citizens