Chapter 2- The Constitution

Question 1

Advice and Consent

Answer 1

Two thirds majority of the Senate that just approve treaties and presidential appointments.

Question 2

Articles of Confederation

Answer 2

Early predecessor of the constitution, that was ratified in March 1781. (4 years after it was drafted).
Had to be ratified by all 13 states.

Question 3

Bicameral legislature

Answer 3

A bicameral legislature is a system within government where there are two elected houses.
In most colonies, the upper house was appointed by the governor and consisted largely of aristocrats. The lower house was appointed by the people, AKA white male property owners.

Question 4

Bill of attainder.

Answer 4

Legislative act imposing punishment on a party without the benefit of a trial in a court of law.

Question 5

Ex post facto

Answer 5

A law that retroactively criminalizes some action that was not a crime when it was committed.

Question 6

Electoral college

Answer 6

The group of elected delegates from the states who confirm the president.

Question 7

The bill of rights

Answer 7

The first amendments to the constitution. Granted most do the rights that we now consider inalienable.

Question 8

Boston tea party.

Answer 8

An event caused by revolutionaries dumping a shipment of tea in to Boston harbor to protest high taxes.

Question 9

Habeas corpus

Answer 9

Means by which an individual could challenge and, if successful, escape unlawful confinement. Article I section 9.

Question 10

Checks and balances

Answer 10

The system by which the parts of government can override each others decisions. These provisions were designed to create a perpetual competition between congress and the executive branch for control of the government, with the expectation that neither institution would permanently dominate the other.

Question 11

Tyranny of the majority.

Answer 11

When a popular majority can gain control of both congress and the presidency and thereby dominate government. Term limits tie in with checks and balances and tyranny of the majority.

Question 12

Common law

Answer 12

Something which is accepted by everyone despite no actual law recognizing it as such. Also the traditional law of England.

Question 13

Mayflower compact

Answer 13

The first agreement for self-government in America. Before arrival at Plymouth, 41 male passengers signed. Foreshadowed adoption of constitution.

Question 14

Court-packing plan

Answer 14

Proposed by Roosevelt 1937. Would authorize president to appoint one new justice to Supreme Court for each current justice over 70 years old.

Question 15

Democratization

Answer 15

The process by which the U.S. government has become more democratic than it was designed to be. Amendments and interpretations. Profound change in American political culture.

Question 16

Direct democracy

Answer 16

Rejected by delegates. Concept where masses were involved in government.

Question 17

Distributive articles

Answer 17

First three articles of constitution. Defined executive, legislative and judicial branches. Divided powers across three independent coequal branches. Separation of powers.

Question 18

Necessary and proper clause.

Answer 18

Article I section 8. Allows congress to “make all laws which shall be necessary or proper for carrying in to execution.” All the powers vested by the constitution. Gave congress much of its lawmaking power.

Question 19

Divided party government.

Answer 19

When one part controls congress and the other controls the presidency.

Question 20

Due process of law

Answer 20

Legal procedures that must be observed before government can deprive individual of life, liberty or property.

Question 21

Equal protection.

Answer 21

All citizens have equal right to protections of law.

Question 22

Sovereign immunity

Answer 22

11th amendment. Limit power of federal government ot invade sovereign immunity of state government. Prevention of being sued in court without consent.

Question 23

First continental congress

Answer 23

In Philadelphia 1774. Boycotted English goods.

Question 24

Malapportionment

Answer 24

When governmental districts are drawn unequally in population.

Question 25

One person, one vote

Answer 25

Reynolds V. Simms 1964. Verdict handed down required districts to be redrawn to be equal in population. Caused reapportionment.

Question 26

New Jersey and Virginia plans.

Answer 26

New Jersey called for preserving congress as it was under articles of confederation. Virginia plan was conceived by Madison, called for bicameral congress, where representation in both houses would be decide by population.

Question 27

Original jurisdiction

Answer 27

If something is prosecuted in one jurisdiction, it can not be tried in another. Article 3 section 2.

Question 28

Police power

Answer 28

States have authority to enact laws regulating economic activity for purpose of public health, safety, and welfare.

Question 29

Poll tax

Answer 29

Method of voter suppression used to keep the poor from voting.
Eliminated by 24th amendment.

Question 30

Protective tariffs.

Answer 30

A charge imposed on a product being imported to a state.

In addition to raising money, purpose is to protect domestic producers by increasing price of imported goods.

Question 31

Shays’ rebellion

Answer 31

Massachusetts 1786. Angry mob of farmers marched on state courthouse. Galvanized dissatisfaction with articles of confederation.

Question 32

Second continental congress

Answer 32

May 1775. When U.S.A. Decided to raise army to oppose British.
Also opened channels with European powers to get military support.

Question 33

Stamp act

Answer 33

March 1765. Started to raise money to pay off British war debt. Forced colonials to pay for stamps.

Question 34

Writ of mandamus

Answer 34

Order from a court ordering a government official to fulfill their duties.