AP GOPO

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Anti-Federalist

those who did not support ratification of the Constitution

Bill of Rights

the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution; most were designed to protect fundamental rights and liberties

bicameral

a legislature with two houses, such as the U.S. Congress

bill of attainder

law that declares someone guilty and punishes them without a trial.

checks and balances

a system that allows one branch of government to limit the exercise of power by another branch; requires the different parts of government to work together

confederation

a highly decentralized form of government; sovereign states form a union for purposes such as mutual defense

federalism

system in which power is shared between the national government and state governments

Federalist

those who supported ratification of the Constitution

judicial review

The power of federal courts to declare laws, executive actions, and state actions unconstitutional

natural rights

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

popular sovereignty

the idea that the people are the ultimate source of government power. Not a king, not a legislature, not the courts.

separation of powers

the sharing of powers among three separate branches of government

social contract

an agreement between people and government in which citizens consent to be governed so long as the government protects their natural rights

unicameral

a legislature with only one house, like the Confederation Congress or the legislature proposed by the New Jersey Plan