Chapter 2: The Constitution

Question 1

constitution

Answer 1

A nation’s basic law which creates political institutions, assigns or divides powers in government, and often provides certain guarantess to citizens.

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 inheret in human beings, not dependent on governments, which include life, liberty, and property.

Question 4

consent of the governed

Answer 4

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

Question 5

limited government

Answer 5

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

Question 6

Articles of Confederation

Answer 6

The first constitution of the U.S., adopted by Congress in 1777 and enacted in 1781.

Question 7

Shay’s Rebellion

Answer 7

A series of attacks on 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

Document written in1787 and ratified in 1788 that sets forth the institutional structure of U.S. governemnt and the tasks these institutions preformed.

Question 9

factions

Answer 9

Intrest groups arising from the unequal distribution of property or wealth that James Madison attacked in Federalist Paper No. 10.

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 stae’s population.

Question 11

Virginia Plan

Answer 11

The proposal at the Constitutinal Convention that called for representation of each state in Congress in propotion to that state’s share 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, and the Senate.

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

seperation of powers

Answer 14

Feature of the Constitution that requires that each of the three branches of government to be relatively independent of the others so that one cannot control the others.

Question 15

checks and balances

Answer 15

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

Question 16

republic

Answer 16

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

Question 17

Federalists

Answer 17

Supporters of the U.S. Constitution at the time the states were contemplatiing its adoption.

Question 18

Anti-Federalists

Answer 18

Opponents of the American Constitution.

Question 19

Federalist Papers

Answer 19

Collection of 85 articles written by Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison under the name “Publius” to defend the Constitution in detail.

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.

Question 21

Equal Rights Amendment

Answer 21

Constitutional amendment passed by Congress in 1972 stating that laws would not be denied on account of someone’s sex.

Question 22

Marbury v. 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.

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.