AP Gov Vocab 2

Constitution

A nation’s basic law, it creates political institutions, assigns or divide power and 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

Consent of the governed

The idea that government derives its authority from the people

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

Shay’s rebellion

A series of attacks on courthouses by a small band of farmers led by revolutionary war, captain Daniel Shays to block foreclosure proceedings

US Constitution

The document written in 1787 and ratified in 1788 that sets forth the institutional structure of the US government, the tasks these institutions perform, and the relationship 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 and Congress to be proportional to its population

Connecticut compromise

Reached at the constitutional convention that established two houses of Congress the House of Representatives in which representation is based on a state 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 a three branches of government executive legislative and judicial to be relatively independent of each other so that one cannot control the other

Checks and balances

Features of the constitution that require each branch of the federal government to obtain the consent of the others for its actions 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 the states were contemplating its adoption

Anti-federalists

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

Federalist papers

The federalist papers are 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 US Constitution drafted in response to some of the anti-federalist concerns. These amendments define such basic liberties as freedom of religion, speech and press, and the guaranteed defendant rates.

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 a bridge by the United States or by any state on account of sex

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 courts power of judicial review overacts 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 US Constitution judicial review established by Marbury versus Madison