The Constitution Vocab

Question 1

those powers of the President of the United States and Congress that are not explicitly specified in the Constitution

Answer 1

inherent powers of the presidency

Question 2

the principle that the authority of a state and its government are created and sustained by the consent of its people, who are the source of all political power

Answer 2

popular sovereignty

Question 3

the division of a state’s government into branches, each with separate, independent powers and responsibilities, so that the powers of one branch are not in conflict with those of the other branches

Answer 3

separation of powers

Question 4

uprising in western Massachusetts in opposition to high taxes and stringent economic conditions

Answer 4

shay’s rebellion

Question 5

the process of altering or amending a law or document (such as a constitution)

Answer 5

amendment process

Question 6

a person who opposed the adoption of the U.S. Constitution

Answer 6

anti-federalists

Question 7

the original constitution of the US, ratified in 1781, which was replaced by the US Constitution in 1789

Answer 7

articles of confederation

Question 8

argued that federal power was bad and that the Constitution gives too much power to the federal government

Answer 8

brutus #1

Question 9

the first ten amendments to the US Constitution, ratified in 1791 and guaranteeing such rights as the freedoms of speech, assembly, and worship

Answer 9

bill of rights

Question 10

counterbalancing influences by which an organization or system is regulated, typically those ensuring that political power is not concentrated in the hands of individuals or groups

Answer 10

checks and balances

Question 11

the supreme law of the United States of America. it superseded the Articles of Confederation, the nation’s first constitution

Answer 11

constitution

Question 12

a document that officially records the proclamation that the United States is an independent country from Great Britain

Answer 12

declaration of independence

Question 13

a series of essays initiated by Alexander Hamilton arguing for the ratification of the United States Constitution

Answer 13

federalist #10

Question 14

addresses means by which appropriate checks and balances can be created in government and also advocates a separation of powers within the national government

Answer 14

federalist #51

Question 15

a person who advocates or supports a system of government in which several states unite under a central authority

Answer 15

federalists

Question 16

a collection of essays written by John Jay, James Madison, and Alexander Hamilton in 1788; the essays urged the ratification of the United States Constitution, which had been debated and drafted at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787

Answer 16

federalist papers

Question 17

an agreement reached during the Constitutional Convention of 1787 that in part defined the legislative structure and representation each state would have under the United States Constitution

Answer 17

great compromise

Question 18

a structure of government in which the powers of the government are separated into three branches: executive, legislative, and judicial

Answer 18

madisonian model of government

Question 19

a landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision that established for the first time that federal courts had the power to overturn an act of Congress on the ground that it violated the U.S. Constitution

Answer 19

marbury v. madison

Question 20

rights that people supposedly have under natural law

Answer 20

natural rights

Question 21

a state in which supreme power is held by the people and their elected representatives, and which has an elected or nominated president rather than a monarch

Answer 21

republic

Question 22

the political philosophy that all citizens and institutions within a country, state, or community are accountable to the same laws, including lawmakers and leaders

Answer 22

rule of law