Chapter 2: Vocabulary

Question 1

Constitution

Answer 1

a nation’s basic law. it creates political institutions, assigns or divides powerss in government, and often provides certain guarantees to citizens.

Question 2

Declaration of Independence

Answer 2

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

Question 4

consent of the governed

Answer 4

idea that government derives its authority by sanction of the people

Question 5

limited government

Answer 5

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

Question 6

Articles of Confederation

Answer 6

first constitution of the United States, adopted by Congress in 1777 and enacted in 1781- established a national legislature.

Question 7

Shays’ Rebellion

Answer 7

series of attacks on counthouses by a small band band of farmers led by Daniel Shays to block foreclosure proceedings.

Question 8

U.S. Constitution

Answer 8

document written in 1787 and ratified in 1788 that sets forth the institutional structure of U.S. government and the tasks these institutions perform.

Question 9

factions

Answer 9

interest groups arising from the unequal distribution of property or wealth

Question 10

New Jersey Plan

Answer 10

proposal at the Constitutional Convention that called for equal representation of each state in Congress regardless of the state’s population.

Question 11

Virginia Plan

Answer 11

proposal at the Constitutional Convention that called for representation of each state in Congress in proportion to that state’s share of the U.S. population

Question 12

Connecticut Compromise

Answer 12

compromise reached at the Constitutional Convention that establishedd two houses of congress: the House of Representatives and the Senate

Question 13

writ of habeas corpus

Answer 13

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

Question 14

separation of powers

Answer 14

requires each of the three branches of government- executive, legislative, and judicial- 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 the different governmental institutions.

Question 16

republic

Answer 16

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

Question 17

Federalists

Answer 17

supporters of the U.S. Constitution at the time the states were contemplating its adoption.

Question 18

Anti-Federalists

Answer 18

opponents of the American Constitution at the time when the states were contemplating its adoption

Question 19

Federalist Papers

Answer 19

a 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

first ten ammendments to the U.S. Constitution

Question 21

Equal Rights Amendment

Answer 21

constitutional amendment passed by Congress in 1972 that “equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the U.S. or by any state on account of sex.”

Question 22

Marbury v. Madison

Answer 22

1803 case in which Chief Justice John Marshall and his associates first assertedd the right of the Supreme Court to determine the meaning of the U.S. Constitution

Question 23

judicial review

Answer 23

power of the courts to determine whether acts of Congress, and implication the executive, are in accord with the U.S Constitution