Chapter 2 Flashcards
(26 cards)
Articles of Confederation
The first constitution of the United States, adopted by Congress– established a national legislature
Constitution
Nation’s basic law.
Shays’s Rebellion
Series of attacks on courthouses by a small band of farmers led by Revolutionary War
New Jersey Plan
Proposal at the Constitutional Convention that called for equal representation of each state in Congress regardless of the states population
Virginia Plan
Proposal at the Constitutional Convention that called for representation of each state in Congress in proportion to that state’s share of the U.S population
Connecticut Compromise
two houses of Congress: HOuse of Representatives where it is based on the states share of the US population and the Senate in which each state has 2 representatives
Writ of habeas corpus
a court order requiring jailers to explain to a judge why they are holding a prisoner in custody
Separation of powers
feature of the constitution that requires each of the three branches of government- executive, legislative, and judicial to be independent of the others so that one cannot control the others
Checks and Balances
Features of the Constitution that limit government’s power by requiring that power be balanced among the different governmental institutions
Republic
Form of government in which the people select representatives to govern them and make laws
Federalist Papers
A collection of 85 articles written by Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison to defend the Constitution in detail
Bill of Rights
The first ten amendments to the U.S Constitution, drafted in response to the Anti-Federalist concerns.
Social Contract
where people give up their freedom in exchange for governments protection
State of Nature
describes before government
Lockes basic rights
life, liberty, and property
Jefferson’s basic rights
life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness
Three branches of government
Legislative
Executive
Judicial
Federal system
political concept which a group of members are bound together by covenant with governing.
Formal methods of amending the Constitution
Proposal and ratification, 2/3 vote in each house of Congress
Informal methods of amending the Constitution
Judicial Interpretation
Political Practice
Technology
Increasing Demands on policy makers
Electoral College
institution that officially elects the president of the US every 4 years. They pick who can run for president and Vice President
Democracy
form of government which all eligible citizens participate equally
Importance of James Madison
He wrote the Federal Papers which broke down the constitution to explain to people why it was a good thing.
First eight amendments
Religion, Speech, Assembly, Petition Right to Bear Arms Quartering of Soldiers Searches and Seizures Grand Juries, Double Jeopardy Criminal Court Procedures Trial by Jury in Common- law cases Bails, fines, and punishment
