Topic 4 Vocab

Question 1

constitution

Answer 1

a document that sets out the laws, principles, organization, and processes of the government

Question 2

bill of rights

Answer 2

a list of key individual rights and freedoms

Question 3

Articles of Confederation

Answer 3

the first American constitution, passed in 1777, which created a loose alliance of 13 independent states

Question 4

cede

Answer 4

to give up

Question 5

currency

Answer 5

money

Question 6

Northwest Oridance

387

Answer 6

a 1787 law that set up a government for the Northwest Territory

Question 7

Shay’s Rebellion

Answer 7

a 1786 revolt in Massachusetts led by farmers in reaction to high taxes

Question 8

Constitutional Convention

Answer 8

the gathering of state representatives on May 25, 1787 to revise the Articles of Confederation

Question 9

Virginia Plan

Answer 9

the plan at the Constitutional Convention that called for a strong national government with three branches and a two-chamber legislature

Question 10

New Jersey Plan

Answer 10

the plan at the Constitutional Convention, favored by smaller states

Question 11

compromise

Answer 11

a settlement or peaceful solution in which each side gives up some of its demands in order to reach an agreement

Question 12

Great Compromise

Answer 12

a plan at the Constitutional Convention that settled the differences between large and small states

Question 13

Three-Fifths Compromise

Answer 13

an agreement at the Constitutional Convention that three-fifths of the enslaved residents in any state be counted in its population

Question 14

republic

Answer 14

a system of government in which citizens choose representatives to govern them

Question 15

dictatorship

Answer 15

a government in which one person or a small group holds complete authority

Question 16

Magna Carta

Answer 16

a British document signed in 1215 that contained two basic ideas: monarchs themselves have to obey the laws, and citizens have basic rights

Question 17

English Bill of Rights

Answer 17

a 1689 document that guaranteed the rights of English citizens

Question 18

separation of powers

Answer 18

a principle by which the powers of government are divided among separate branches

Question 19

ratify

Answer 19

to approve

Question 20

Federalists

Answer 20

supporters of the Constitution

Question 21

Anti-Federalists

Answer 21

opposed to the Constitution without bill of rights

Question 22

Federalist Papers

Answer 22

a series of essays by Federalists; James Madison, John James, and Alexander Hamilton

Question 23

amend

Answer 23

to change

Question 24

popular sovereignty

Answer 24

government by consent of the governed

Question 25

bill

Answer 25

a proposed law

Question 26

veto

Answer 26

to reject, as when the President rejects a law passed by Congress

Question 27

override

Answer 27

to overrule, as when Congress overrules a presidential veto

Question 28

impeach

Answer 28

to bring charges of serious wrongdoing against a public official

Question 29

Bill of Rights

Answer 29

the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution

Question 30

civil

Answer 30

related to lawsuits involving the private rights of individual

Question 31

constitutional initative

Answer 31

the power of citizens to call for votes to change state constitutions

Question 32

infrastructure

Answer 32

a system of transit lines, highways, bridges, and tunnels

Question 33

local government

Answer 33

a government on the country, parish, city, town, village, or district laws

Question 34

citizen

Answer 34

a person who owes loyalty to a particular nation and is entitled to all its rights and protections

Question 35

naturalization

Answer 35

to grant citizenship to a person who has met official requirements for becoming a citizen

Question 36

immigrant

Answer 36

a person who enters another country where he or she is not a citizen

Question 37

resident alien

Answer 37

a person living in a country where he or she is not a citizen

Question 38

civic virtue

Answer 38

the willingness to work for the good of the nation or community even at great sacrifice

Question 39

patriotism

Answer 39

a feeling of love and devotion to one's country

Question 40

jury duty

Answer 40

the responsibility of every citizen to serve on jury when called