Chapter 2 Vocab Flashcards
Declaration of Independence
Document approved by the representatives of the American colonies in 1776 that stated their grievances against the British monarch and declared their independence.
constitution
A nations basic law. It creates political institutions, assigns or divides powers of government, and often provides certain guarantees to citizens. Constitutions can be either written or unwritten.
Natural rights
Rights inherent in human beings, not dependent on governments, which include life, liberty, and property. The concept of natural righs was the central to English philosopher John Locke’s theories about government, and was widely accepted among America’s Founding Fathers. Thomas Jefferson echoed Locke’s language in drafting the Declaration of Independence.
consent of the governed
The required basis for government in accord to John Locke. The Declaration of Independence reflects Locke’s view that governments derive their authority from the consent of the governed.
limited government
Idea that certain things are out of bounds for government because of the natural rights of citizens. Limited government was central to John Locke’s philosophy in the 17th century, and it contrasted sharply with the prevailing view of the divine rights of monarchs.
Articles of Confederation
The first constitution of the US adopted by Congress 1777. The articles established a national legislature, the Continental Congress, but most authority rested with the state legislatures.
Shay’s Rebellion
A series of attacks on courthouses by a small band of farmers led by revolutionary war Captiain 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 the U.S. government and the tasts these institutions perform. It replaced the Articles of Confederation.
Factions
Interest groups arising from the unequal distribution of property or wealth that James Madison attacked in Federalist #10. Today’s parties are what Madison had in mind when he warned of the instability in government caused by factions.
New Jersey Plan
The proposal at the Constitutional Convention that called for equal representation for each sate in Congress regardless of population.
Virginia Plan
The proposal at the Constitutional Convention that called for representation of each state in Congress in proportion to the state’s share of the U.S. population.
Connecticut Compromise
The compromise reached at the Constituttional Convention that established two houses of Congress. The House of Representatives and teh Senate.
writ of Habeus Corpus
A court order requiring jailers to explain to a judge why they are holding a prisoner custody.
seperation of powers
An important part of the Madisonian Model that requires each of the three branches of gobernment - executive, legislative, and judicial - to be relatively independent of one another. One cannot control the others. Power is equally shared among these institutions.
Checks and Balances
Power is to be balanced among different governmental institutions. These institutions continually check one another’s activies.
Republic
A form of government that derives its power, directly or indirectly from the people. Those chosen to govern are accountable to those whom they govern. In contrast to a direct democracy in which people themselves make laws, a republic, the people select representatives to make laws for them.
Federalism
A way of organizing a nation so that two levels of government have formal authority over the same land and people. It is a system of shared power between units of government.
Anti-Federalists
Opponents of the American Constitution at the time when the staets were contemplating it’s adoption. They argued that the Constitution was a class-based document, that it would erode fundamental liberties and that it would weaken the power of the states.
Federalist Papers
A collection of 85 articles written by Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison under the name “Publius” to defend the Constituttion in detail. Collectively, these papers are second only to the U.S. Constitution in characterising the framers’ intent.
Bill of Rights
The first 10 amendments to the Constitution drafted in resonse to some Anti-Federalist concerns. They define liberties as freedom of religion, speech, press, and offer protections against arbitrary searches by the police.
Equal Rights Amendment
Constitutional amendment introduced in 1923 and passed in 1972 stated that “equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abrdiged by the United States or by any state on account of sex.” Amendment failed to acquire the support from 3/4 of state legislatures.
Marbury v. Madison
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. The decision established the Court’s power of judicial review over acts of Congress, in this case the Judiciary Act of 1789.
Judicial Review
The power of the courts to determine whether acts of Congress, and by implication the executive, are in accord with the Constitution. Judicial review was established by John Marshall and his associates in Marbury v Madison.
