Chapter 2: The Constitution

Question 1

Antifederalists

Answer 1

Those who favored a weaker national government.

Question 2

Articles of Confederation

Answer 2

A weak constitution that governed America during and immediately after the Revolutionary War.

Question 3

bill of attainder

Answer 3

A law that declares a person, without trial, to be guilty of a crime.

Question 4

Bill of Rights

Answer 4

The first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution.

Question 5

checks and balances

Answer 5

The power of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government to block some acts by the other two branches. (See also separation of powers.)

Question 6

coalition

Answer 6

An alliance of factions.

Question 7

concurrent powers

Answer 7

Powers shared by the national and state governments.

Question 8

Constitutional Convention

Answer 8

Meeting in Philadelphia in 1787 that produced a new constitution.

Question 9

enumerated powers

Answer 9

Powers given to the national government alone.

Question 10

ex post facto law

Answer 10

A law that makes an act criminal although the act was legal when it was committed.

Question 11

faction

Answer 11

A group with a distinct political interest.

Question 12

federalism

Answer 12

Those who favor a stronger national government.

Question 13

Great Compromise

Answer 13

Plan to have popularly elected House based on state population and a state-selected Senate, with two members for each state.

Question 14

habeas corpus

Answer 14

An order to produce an arrested person before a judge.

Question 15

Judicial review

Answer 15

The power of the courts to declare laws unconstitutional.

Question 16

line-item veto

Answer 16

An executive’s ability to block a particular provision in a bill passed by the legislature.

Question 17

New Jersey Plan

Answer 17

Proposal to create a weak national government.

Question 18

republic

Answer 18

A government in which elected representatives make the decisions.

Question 19

reserved powers

Answer 19

Powers given to the state governments alone.

Question 20

separation of powers

Answer 20

Constitutional authority is shared by three different branches of government.

Question 21

Shay’s Rebellion

Answer 21

A 1787 rebellion in which ex-Revolutionary War soldiers attempted to prevent foreclosures of farms as a result of high interest rates and taxes.

Question 22

unalienable

Answer 22

A human right based on nature or God.

Question 23

Virginia Plan

Answer 23

Porposal to create a strong national government.

Question 24

amendment

Answer 24

A new provision in the Constitution that has been ratified by the states.