chapter two - the constitution

Question 1

declaration of independence

Answer 1

the document approved by representatives of the American colonies in 1776 that stated their grievances against the British monarch and declared their independence.

Question 2

natural rights

Answer 2

rights inherent in human beings, not dependent by the government.

Question 3

consent of the governed

Answer 3

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

Question 4

limited government

Answer 4

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

Question 5

articles of confederation

Answer 5

the first constitution of the United States adopted by congress in 1777 and enacted in 1781. Established a national legislature and Continental Congress.

Question 6

shays’ rebellion

Answer 6

a series of attacks on court houses by a small band of farmers led by revolutionary war captain Daniel Shays to block foreclosure of farms.

Question 7

U.S constitution

Answer 7

the document written in 1787 and ratified in 1788 that sets forth the institutional structure of U.S government and the tasks these institution perform. It replaced the articles of confederation.

Question 8

factions

Answer 8

parties or interest groups that James Madison saw as arising from the unequal distribution of property or wealth.

Question 9

New Jersey Plan

Answer 9

called for equal representation of each stat in congress regardless of the state’s population.

Question 10

Virginia Plan

Answer 10

called for representation of each state in congress in proportion to that state’s share of the u.s population.

Question 11

Connecticut compromise

Answer 11

the compromise reached at the constitutional convention that established two houses of congress: the house of representatives, in which representation is based on a state’s share of the U.S population; and the senate, in which each state has two representatives.

Question 12

writ of habeas corpus

Answer 12

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

Question 13

separation of powers

Answer 13

a feature of the constitution that requires each of the three branches to be relatively independent of the others so that one cannot control the others.

Question 14

checks and balances

Answer 14

features of the constitution that limit governments power by requiring that power be balanced among the different governmental institutions.

Question 15

republic

Answer 15

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

Question 16

federalists

Answer 16

supporters of the u.s constitution at the time the states were contemplating its adoption.

Question 17

anti-federalists

Answer 17

opponents of the american constitution at the time when the states were contemplating its adoption.

Question 18

federalists papers

Answer 18

a collection of 85 articles written under the name Publius to defend the constitution in detail.

Question 19

bill of rights

Answer 19

the first ten amendments to the u.s constitution drafted in response to some of the anti-federalist concerns.

Question 20

equal rights amendment

Answer 20

a constitutional amendment passed by congress in 1972 stating that equality of rights under the law shall’nt be denied or abridged by the United States.

Question 21

marbury v. madison

Answer 21

the 1803 case n which the supreme court asserted its right to determine the meaning of the U.S constitution.

Question 22

judical review

Answer 22

the power of the court to determine whether acts of congress and, by implication, the executive are in accord with the U.S constitution.