Chapter 2

Question 0

Declaration of Independence

Answer 0

The document approved by representatives of the American colonies in 1776 that started their grievances against the British monarch and declared their independence.

Question 1

Constitution

Answer 1

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

Question 2

Natural rights

Answer 2

Rights inherent in human beings, not dependent on governments, which include life, liberty, and property. The concept of natural rights was central to English philosopher John Locke’s theories about government, and was widely accepted among America’s founding fathers.

Question 3

Consent of government

Answer 3

The idea that government derives its authority by sanction of the people.

Question 4

Limited government

Answer 4

The idea that certain restrictions should be placed on government to protect the natural rights of citizens.

Question 5

Articles of Confederation

Answer 5

The first constitution of the US, adopted by Congress in 1777 and enacted in 1781. The articles established a national legislature, the Continental Congress, but most authority rested with the state legislatures.

Question 6

Shays’ Rebellion

Answer 6

A series of attacks on courthouses by a small band of farmers led by Revolutionary War Captain Daniel Shays to block foreclosure proceedings.

Question 7

US Constitution

Answer 7

The document written in 1787 and ratified in 1788 that sets forth the institutional structure of US government and the tasks these institutions perform. It replaced the Articles of Confederation.

Question 8

Factions

Answer 8

Interest groups arising from the unequal distribution of property or wealth that James Madison attacked in Federalist Paper #10. Today’s parties or interest groups are what Madison had I mind when he warned of the instability in government caused by factions.

Question 9

New Jersey Plan

Answer 9

The proposal at the Constitutional Convention that called for equal representation of each state in Congress regardless of the state’s population.

Question 10

Virginia Plan

Answer 10

The proposal at the Constitutional Convention that called for representation of each state in Congress in proportion to the state’s share of the US population.

Question 11

Connecticut Compromise

Answer 11

The compromise reached at the Constitutional Convention that established two houses of Congress: the House of Representatives, in which representation is based on a state’s share of the US population, and the Senate, in which each state had two representatives.

Question 12

Writ of habeas corpus

Answer 12

A court order requiring jailers to explain to a judge why they are holding a prisoner in custody.

Question 13

Separation of powers

Answer 13

A feature of the Constitution that requires each of the three branches of government— executive, legislative, and judicial—to be relatively independent of the others so that one cannot control the others. Power is shared among these three institutions.

Question 14

Checks and balances

Answer 14

Features of the Constitution that limit government’s power by requiring that power be balanced among the different governmental institutions. These institutions continually check one another’s activities.

Question 15

Republic

Answer 15

A form of government in which the people select representatives to govern them and make laws.

Question 16

Federalists

Answer 16

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

Question 17

Anti-Federalists

Answer 17

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

Question 18

Federalist Papers

Answer 18

A collection of 85 articles written by Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison under the name “Publius” to defend the Constitution in detail.

Question 19

Bill of Rights

Answer 19

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 guarantee defendants’ rights.

Question 20

Equal Rights Amendment (ERA)

Answer 20

A constitutional amendment passed by congress in 1972 stating that “equality of rights under these shall not be denied or abridged by the US or by any state on account if sex.” The amendment failed to acquire the necessary support from three-fourths of the state legislatures.

Question 21

Marbury v. Madison

Answer 21

The 1803 case in which Chief Justice John Marshall and his associates first asserted the right of the Supreme Court to determine the meaning of the US Constitution. The decision established the Court’s power of judicial review over acts of Congress, in the case the Judiciary Act of 1789.

Question 22

Judicial review

Answer 22

The power of the courts to determine whether acts of Congress, and by implication the executive, are in accord with the US Constitution. Judicial review was established by John Marshall and his associates in Marbury v. Madison.