US Chapter 1

Question 1

Constitutionalism

Answer 1

The belief in limiting government power by a written charter

Question 2

Colony

Answer 2

A territory under the direct control of a parent state

Question 3

John Locke

Answer 3

English political philosopher whose ides about political legitimacy influenced the American founders; father of Classical liberalism; freedom of an individual by limiting government power

Question 4

Articles of Confederation

Answer 4

The first plan of a national government for the 13 American states; replaced by Constitution; states retained most political power; Nov. 1777

Question 5

Confederation

Answer 5

A loose union of separate states

Question 6

Shay’s Rebellion

Answer 6

A revolt by farmers from Massachusetts in 1786-1787 over lack of economic relief; led to belief that stronger central government was necessary

Question 7

Annapolis Convention

Answer 7

The meeting of delegates from five states in Annapolis, Maryland in 1786 to consider a common policy for trade among the American states that resulted in a recommendation for a constitutional convention the following year

Question 8

Northwest Ordinance

Answer 8

A major statute, enacted by Congress in 1787 under the Articles of Confederation, that allowed the development and government of lands west of Pennsylvania

Question 9

Virginia Plan

Answer 9

The first plan of union proposed at the Constitutional Convention in 1787, called for a strong central government and numerical representation

Question 10

New Jersey Plan

Answer 10

plan introduced at the Constitutional Convention in opposition to the Virginia Plan, emphasized dominance of the states and against numerical representation

Question 11

Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise)

Answer 11

agreement at the Constitutional Convention in 1787 to accept representation by population in the House and by states in the Senate

Question 12

Three-fifths compromise

Answer 12

A temporary resolution to the controversy over slavery, allowing slave states to count each slave as three-fifths of a person for representation purposes

Question 13

Federalists

Answer 13

a term for persons who advocated ratification of the Constitution in 1787 and 1788 and generally favored a strong central government; also the name of the dominant political party during the administrations of Presidents George Washington and John Adams

Question 14

Antifederalists

Answer 14

persons who opposed ratification of the Constitution in 1787 and 1788 and opposed policies associated with a strong central government, such as a national bank

Question 15

The Federalist

Answer 15

a series of 85 essays written by Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison that were published in NY newspapers urging ratification of the Constitution

Question 16

Republican (or representative) government

Answer 16

people elect representatives to make decisions in their place

Question 17

Checks and balances

Answer 17

the system of separate institutions sharing some powers that the Constitution mandates for the national government, its purpose is to keep power divided between legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

Question 18

Commerce Clause

Answer 18

(Article 1 Section 8) Gives Congress the authority to regulate the country’s economic environment

Question 19

Necessary and proper clause

Answer 19

(Article 1 Section 8) (“elastic clause”) the source of “implied powers” for the national government

Question 20

Writ of mandamus

Answer 20

order by a court to a public official to perform a nondiscretionary or ministerial act

Question 21

Marbury v. Madison

Answer 21

1803, decision by the Supreme Court establishing the Supreme Court’s power of judicial review

Question 22

Original Jurisdiction

Answer 22

authority of a court over cases that begin in that court—courts of general jurisdiction have original jurisdiction over most criminal offenses. The original jurisdiction of the U.S. Supreme Court is very small

Question 23

Appellate Jurisdiction

Answer 23

includes cases a court receives from lower courts—congress defines the appellate jurisdiction of the U.S. Supreme Court

Question 24

Judicial Review

Answer 24

The authority of the courts to set aside a legislative act as being in violation of the Constitution

Question 25

Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions

Answer 25

A challenge to national supremacy, these state documents declared states to be the final authority on the meaning of the Constitution

Question 26

Thomas Hobbes

Answer 26

social contract theory, agreement among individuals by which society becomes organized and invested with the right to secure mutual protection and welfare

Question 27

Constitutional Functions

Answer 27

• Outlines the organization of government
• Grants power
• Mainstay of rights
• Symbol of the nation

Question 28

Traditional themes of the Declaration of Independence

Answer 28

• Humankind shares equality
• Government is the creation and servant of the people
• Promotes natural rights
• Governments are bound by their own laws

Question 29

Distinguishable features of the Articles of Confederation

Answer 29

• Preserved state autonomy
• Guaranteed equal representation for the states
• Granted the central government only a few important powers
• Provided for no separate executive branch and no national courts
• Made amendment almost impossible

Question 30

Problems with the Articles of Confederation

Answer 30

• Absence of sufficient power in the central government

- The presence of too much power in the hands of the state governments

Question 31

When was the Declaration signed?

Answer 31

July 4, 1776

Question 32

When was the Constitution signed

Answer 32

1787

Question 33

Popular election

Answer 33

voters directly elect the members of the House of Representatives

Question 34

Indirect popular election

Answer 34

states legislatures chose members of the Senate, while specially designated electors selected the president

Question 35

Appointment

Answer 35

President picked the national judiciary, with approval of Senate

Question 36

How Does the Constitution Fit the Needs of the 21st Century?

Answer 36

• Brevity
• Elasticity
• Procedure

Question 37

What’s the difference between government and politics?

Answer 37

• Politics is a process

- Government is the set of organizations where the process takes place