AP Gov chapter 2 vocab: The Constitution

Constitution

Constitution

A nation’s basic law. It creates political institutions, assigns or divides powers in government, and often provides certain guarantees to citizens. Constitutions can be either written or unwritten.

Declaration of Independence

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

Natural rights

Rights inherent in human beings, not dependent on governments, which include life, liberty, and property. The concept of natural rights was central to English philosopher John Locke’s theories about government and was widely accepted among America’s Founders.

Consent of the governed

The idea that government derives its authority from the poeple

Limited government

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

Articles of Confederation

The first constitution of the United States, adopted by Congress in 1777 and ratified in 1781. The Articles established the Continental Congress as the national legislature, but left most authority with the state legislatures.

Shay’s Rebellion

A series of attacks on courthouses by a small band of farmers led by Revolutionary War captain Daniel Shay to block foreclosure proceedings.

U.S. Constitution

The document written in 1787 and ratified in 1788 that sets forth the institution structure of the U.S. government, the tasks these institutions perform, and the relationships among them. It replaced the Articles of Confederation.

Factions

Groups such as interest groups that, according to James Madison, arise from the unequal distribution of property or wealth and have the potential to cause instability in government.

New Jersey Plan

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

Virginia Plan

The proposal at the Constitutional Convention that called for representation of each state in Congress to be proportional to its population.

Connecticut Compromise

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 population; and the Senate, in which each state has two representatives.

Writ of Habeas Corpus

A court order requiring authorities to explain to a judge what lawful reason they have for holding a prisoner in custody.

Separation of powers

A feature of the Constitution that requires the three branches of government — executive, legislative, and judicial — to be relatively independent of each other so that one cannot control the others. Power is shared among these three institutions.

Checks and Balances

Features of the Constitution that require each branch of the federal government to obtain the consent of the others for its action; they limit the power of each branch.

Republic

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

Federalists

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

Anti-Federalists

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

Federalist Papers

A set of 85 essays that advocate ratification of the Constitution and provide insightful commentary on the nature of the new system of government.

Bill of Rights

The first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution, drafted in response to some of the Anti-Federalists’ concerns. These amendments define such basic liberties as freedom of religion, speech, and press, and the guarantee defendants’ rights.

Equal Rights Amendment (ERA)

A constitutional amendment passed by Congress in 1972 stating that “equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex.” The amendment failed to acquire the necessary support from three-fourths of the state legislatures.

Marbury v. Madison

The 1803 case in which the Supreme Court asserted its power to determine the meaning of the U.S. Constitution. The decision established the Court’s power of judicial review over acts of Congress.

Judicial review

The power of the courts to determine whether acts of Congress and those of the executive branch are in accord with the U.S. Constitution. Established by Marbury v. Madison.