Quizlet AP Gov - Chapter 2

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  1. Anti-federalist: Opponents of the American Constitution at the time when the states were contemplating its adoption
  2. Articles of Confederation: The first constitution of the U.S. adopted by congress in 1777 and enacted in 1781 and established a national legislature
  3. 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
  4. Checks and balances: power is balanced among the different governmental institutions. These institutions continually check on another's activities
  5. Connecticut Compromise: was to create two houses in Congress. Each state shall have two representatives
  6. Consent of the governed: people must agree on who their ruler will be
  7. Constitution: a nation's basic law. It creates political institutions, allocates power within government, and often provides guaranteed to citizens.
  8. Declaration of Independence: Written by Jefferson. The document approve by representatives of the American colonies in 1176 declaring their independence
  9. Factions: interest groups arising form the undistribution of property or wealth that James Madison attacked in Federalist Paper #10
  10. Federalist: supporters of the U.S. constitution at the time the states were contemplating its adoption
  11. Federalist Papers: A collection of 85 articles written by Alexander Hamilton, John Jay under name "Pubius" to defend the Constitution in detail
  12. 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.
  13. Limited government: the idea of clear restrictions on what rulers can do
  14. N.J. Plan: proposed by William Peterson of N.Y. called for equality amongst states in representation
  15. Natural rights: John Locke's philosophy. Rights inherent in human beings, not dependent on governments.
  16. Republic: a form of government in which the people select representatives to govern them and make laws
  17. 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
  18. Shay's Rebellion: a series of armed attacks on courthouses to prevent judges from foreclosing on farms
  19. 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
  20. Virginia Plan: It called for giving each state representation in Congress based on the state's share of the American population
  21. Writ of habeas corpus: A court order requiring jailers to explain to a judge why they are holding a prisoner in custody