| Term | Definition |
|---|
| Constitution | a nation's basic law. It creates political institutions, allocates power within government, and often provides guaranteed to citizens. |
| Declaration of Independence | Written by Jefferson. The document approve by representatives of the American colonies in 1176 declaring their independence |
| Natural rights | John Locke's philosophy. Rights inherent in human beings, not dependent on governments. |
| Consent of the governed | people must agree on who their ruler will be |
| Limited government | the idea of clear restrictions on what rulers can do |
| Articles of Confederation | The first constitution of the U.S. adopted by congress in 1777 and enacted in 1781 and established a national legislature |
| Shay's Rebellion | a series of armed attacks on courthouses to prevent judges from foreclosing on farms |
| U.S. Constitution | document written in 1787 and approved in 1788 that sets forth the institutional structure of U.S. government and tasks. Replaced the Articles of Confederation |
| Factions | interest groups arising form the undistribution of property or wealth that James Madison attacked in Federalist Paper #10 |
| N.J. Plan | proposed by William Peterson of N.Y. called for equality amongst states in representation |
| Virginia Plan | It called for giving each state representation in Congress based on the state's share of the American population |
| Connecticut Compromise | was to create two houses in Congress. Each state shall have two 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 | was a Madison scheme. Power is shared amongst branches of government, executive, legislative, and judicial but not where they can control each other |
| Checks and balances | power is balanced among the different governmental institutions. These institutions continually check on another's activities |
| Republic | a form of government in which the people select representatives to govern them and make laws |
| Federalist | supporters of the U.S. constitution at the time the states were contemplating its adoption |
| Anti-federalist | Opponents of the American Constitution at the time when the states were contemplating its adoption |
| Federalist Papers | A collection of 85 articles written by Alexander Hamilton, John Jay under name "Pubius" to defend the Constitution in detail |
| Bill of Rights | The first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution. These amendments define such basic liberties as freedom of religion, speech, and press and guarantee defendants' rights |
| Judicial Review | The power of the courts to determine whethers acts of Congress are in accord with the US Constitution. Established in Marbury v. Madison. |
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