The Development of Constitutional Democracy

Question 1

Natural Rights

Answer 1

The right to life, liberty, and property; believed to be given by God; no government may take away

Question 2

Locke’s view on human existence in an imagined “state of nature”?

Answer 2

one way to make things better would be to cooperate with others. by being a member of a group, we can improve out security and comfort. since this is something we all want to do, it mkaes sense for us to form a society.

Question 3

How does the Bill of Rights protect natural rights?

Answer 3

First amendment - “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

Question 4

Articles of Confederation

Answer 4

the first attempt at organizing the governement of the united states, consisting of a unicameral (one chamber) congress. Did not permit congress to tax, regulate foreign or interstate commerce, or enforce its laws.

Question 5

Virginia Plan

Answer 5

a plan proposed by the representatives of Virginia at the constitutional convention for a two house (that is bicameral) legislature, wherein the number of a state’s representatives in each chamber would be based on state’s population.

Question 6

New Jersey Plan

Answer 6

A plan proposed by the representatives of New Jersey at the constitutional convention that called for a on house national legislature in which each state would have one vote.

Question 7

Great Compromise (The Connecticut Compromise)

Answer 7

1787 agreement created a bicameral legislature in the united states, with representation based on population in the house of representatives and equal representation of states in the senate.

Question 8

Three-Fifths Compromise

Answer 8

an agreement made between northern and southern states that called for counting of all a state’s free population and 60 percent of its slave population for twin purposes of federal taxation and representation in congress.

Question 9

Separation of Powers

Answer 9

the division of a government’s powers among three separate branches of government, managed by different groups of people.

Question 10

Checks and Balances

Answer 10

constitutional powers that allow each branch of government to limit the exercise of power of the other two branches or approve actions. the system requires different parts of government to work together and find agreement in order to accomplish new official actions.

Question 11

Federalist Paper #10 argument

Answer 11

That there was no need to fear the power of factions because the diversity that existed in the country was so large that it would not allow for the development of large political interest groups.

Question 12

Faction

Answer 12

Also called an interest group, this is a group of people who gather to petition government for their special concern.

Question 13

Federalist Paper #51 argument

Answer 13

To ease these fears by explaining how the mechanisms of checks and balances and separation of powers would prevent the national government from abusing its increased power and authority.

Question 14

Why did the colonists oppose being taxed by great britain?

Answer 14

they did not have elected representatives in the house of commons

Question 15

What was a federalist argument in support of the ratification of the constitution?

Answer 15

a strong national government is better for national defense and economic growth

Question 16

What is a judicial check on the executive branch?

Answer 16

the supreme court can declare actions by the executive branch unconstitutional