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34 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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Constitution
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A nation's basic law. It creates political institution, assigns or divides powers in government, and often provides certain guarantees to citizens. Written or unwritten. US 1787 written, 1788 ratified.
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Declaration of Independence
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The document approved by representatives of the American colonies in 1776 that stated their grievances against the British monarch and declared their independence.
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Natural rights
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Right inherent in human beings, not dependent on governments, which include life, liberty, and property. The concept of natural rights was central to John Lock's theories of government accepted by America's Founders.
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Consent of the Gov'd.
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The idea that government derives its authority by sanction of the people.
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Limited Government
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The idea that certain restrictions should be placed on government to protect the natural rights of citizens.
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Articles of Confederation
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The first constitution of the United States, adopted 1777 and enacted 1781. The Articles established a national legislature, Continental Congress, but most power was with the state.
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Factions
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Interest groups arising from the unequal distribution of property or wealth that James Madison attacked in Federalist Paper No. 10. JM warned instability in government by factions
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New Jersey Plan
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Constitutional Convention that called for equal representation of each state in Congress regardless of state's population.
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Virginia Plan
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Constitutional Convention that called for representation of each state in Congress in proportion to that state's share of the U.S. population.
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Connecticut Compromise
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Constitutional Convention compromise that established the House of Representatives which representation was based on population and the Senate which each states has two representatives.
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Shay's Rebellion
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A series of attacks on courthouses by a small band of farmers led by Revolutionary Way Captain Daniel Shays to black foreclosure proceedings.
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3/5 Compromise
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Representation and taxation were to be based on plus three-fifths of the number of "other persons".
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Writ of Habeas Corpus
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A court order requiring jailers to explain to a judge why they are holding a prisoner in custody.
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Separation of Powers
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Constitutional feature that requires the executive, legislative, and judicial branches to be independent so that one cannot control the others.
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Checks and Balances
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Constitutional feature that limit government's power by requiring that power be balanced among the different government institutions, continually constaining one another's activities.
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Republic
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A form of government in which the people select representatives to govern them and make laws.
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Federalists
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Supporters of the U.S. Constitution at the time the states were contemplating its adoption.
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Anti- Federalist
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Opponents of the U.S. Constitution at the time the states were contemplating its adoption.
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Federalist Papers
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A collection of 85 articles written by Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison under the name "Publius" to defend the Constitution in detail.
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Bill of Rights
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The furst 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution, drafted to respond to the Anti-Federalist concerns. Basic liberties as freedom of religion, speech, press, and rights.
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Auxiliary precautions
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the internal checks and balances. Elections are the primary check, but the structure of government, Madison believes should also be aimed towards protections from tyranny.
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Bicameral
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Two houses. The U.S. Congress and every state except Nebraska are bicameral.
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Bill of Attainder
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A bill where Congress punishes people without a judicial trial.
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Continental Congress
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A convention of delegates from the Thirteen Colonies that became the governing body of the United States during the American Revolution.
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Electoral College
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A unique American institution in the Constitution for the selction of the president by electors chosen by states parties. Winner-Take all.
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Ex post facto laws
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Laws that punish people or increase the penalties for acts that were not illegal or not as punishable when the act was committed.
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Informal amendment
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a change to the meaning or interpretation of the Constitution of the United States. There is no real informal way to change the Constitution, and it's not an actual change to the wording of the Constitution; rather, it's the way we perceive the Constitution that changes.
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John Locke
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One of the most influential philosophers. The Second Treatise of Civil Government. Natural Rights. Standing Laws, Protect Property.
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Judicial review
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The power of the courts to determine whether acts of Congress, and by implication the executive, are in accord with the U.S. Constitution.
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Line item veto
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The power possessed by 42 state governors to veto only certain parts of a bill while allowing the rest of it to pass into law.
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Marbury v. Madison
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In 1803, Chief Justice John Marshall and his associates first asserted the right of the Supreme Court to determine the meaning of the U.S. Constitution establishing judical review in the Judiciary Act of 1789.
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Pocket veto
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A veto taking place when Congress adjourns within ten days of having submitted a bill to the president, who simply lets it die by neither signing nor vetoing it.
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Popular sovereignty
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the doctrine that sovereign power is vested in the people and that those chosen to govern, as trustees of such power, must exercise it in conformity with the general will.
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Speaker of the House
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An office mandated by the Constitution. The Speaker is chosen in practice by the majority party, has both formal and informal powers, and is second in line to succeed to the presidency should that office become vacant.
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