Chapter 2 vocab (unit 1)

Constitution

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

Declaration of independence

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

Natural rights

Rights inherent in human beings, not a dependent on government, which include life, liberty, and property. The concept of natural rights with central to English philosopher John locke’s theory about government and was widely accepted among America’s founders

Limited government

The idea that certain restriction 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 a national legislator, but left most authority with the state legislators.

U.S. constitution

The document written in 1787 and ratified in 7088 that’s it for the institution structure of the US government, the tax institution perform, and the relationships among them. It replaced the articles of confederation.

Factions

Group 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 population.

Virgina Plan

The proposal at the constitutional convention that called for representation of each day and convince 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 state population; and Senate, in which each state has two representatives.

Writ of Habeas Corpus

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

Checks & balances

Features of the constitution that requires each branch of the federal government to obtain the consent of 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 US Constitution at the time of states were contemplating its adoption.

Anti-Federalists

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

Bill of Rights

The first 10 amendments to the US Constitution, which defined such basic liberties of freedom of religion, speech, and the press, and they guarantee defendants rights.

Marbury v. Madison

The 1803 case in which the Supreme Court asserted its power to determine the meaning of the US constitution. The decision established the court power of judicial review over acts of Congress.

Judicial review

The power of the court to determine whether acts of Congress and those of the executive branch are in accord with the US constitution. Judicial review was established by Marbury v. Madison.