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Edwards Chapter 2 AP Flashcards

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5075325431ConstitutionA nation's basic law. It creates political institutions, assigns or divides powers in government, and often provides certain guarantees to citizens.0
5075325432Declaration of IndependenceThe document approved by representatives of the American colonies in 1776 that stated their grievances against the British monarch and declared their independence.1
5075325433Natural RightsRights inherent in human beings, not dependent in governments, which include life, liberty, and property. Central to John Locke.2
5075325434Consent of the GovernedThe idea that government derives its authority by sanction of the people.3
5075325435Limited GovernmentThe idea that certain restrictions should be placed on government to protect the natural rights of citizens.4
5075325436Articles of ConfederationThe first constitution of the U.S., adopted by congress in 1777 and enacted in 1781. Established a firm league of friendship among the states, a unicameral national legislature, and did not have an executive or judiciary5
5075325437Shays RebellionA series of attacks on courthouses by a small band of farmers led by revolutionary war captain Daniel Shays to block foreclosure proceedings.6
5075325438FactionsParties or interest groups that James Madison saw as arising from unequal distribution of property or wealth and attacked as having the potential to cause instability in government.7
5075325439New Jersey PlanThe proposal at the constitution convention that called for a unicameral congress with equal representation of each state regardless of the state's population.8
5075325440Virginia PlanThe proposal at the constitutional convention that called for a bicameral congress with representation in proportion to that state's share of the U.S. population.9
5075325441Connecticut CompromiseThe compromise reached at the constitutional convention that established two houses of congress: House of Representatives (in which representation is based on a state's population), and Senate (in which each state has two representatives)10
5075325442Writ of Habeas CorpusA court order requiring jailers to explain to a judge why they are holding a prisoner in custody.11
5075325443Separation of PowersA feature of the constitution that requires each of the three branches of government, executive, legislative, judicial, to be relatively independent of the others so that one can't control the others. Power is shared among the three.12
5075325444Checks and BalancesFeatures of the constitution that limit government's power by requiring that power be balanced among the different governmental institutions. They continually constrain each other.13
5075325445RepublicA form of government in which the people select representatives to govern them and make laws.14
5075325446FederalistsSupporters of the U.S. Constitution at the time the states were contemplating its adoption.15
5075325447Anti-FederalistsOpponents of the American Constitution at the time when the states were contemplating its adoption.16
5075325448Federalist PapersA collection of 85 articles written by Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison under the name "Publius" to defend the constitution in detail.17
5075325449Bill of RightsThe first ten amendments to the U.S. constitution, drafted in response to some of the anti-federalist concerns.18
5075325450Marbury vs. MadisonThe 1803 case in which the Supreme Court asserted its right to determine the meaning of the U.S. Constitution. The decision established the court's power of judicial review over acts of congress.19
5075325451Judicial ReviewThe power of the courts to determine whether acts of congress and, by implication, the executive are in accord with the U.S. Constitution. This was established by Marbury v. Madison.20
5075325452unequal division of propertyaccording to Madison this is the "most common and durable source of factions"21
5075325453Congresswas given chief economic policymaking power22
50753254543/5ths Compromisesaid slaves would be counted as 3/5ths of a person for congressional representation and taxation23
5075325455John Lockeauthor of Two Treatises of Civil Government24

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