American Politics and the US
Constitution - C963 WGU
natrual rights Ans- Life, Liberty, and Property
John Locke Ans- 17th century English philosopher who opposed the Divine Right of Kings and who
asserted that people have a natural right to life, liberty, and property.
State of Nature Ans- Hypothetical condition assumed to exist in the absence of government where
human beings live in "complete" freedom and general equality.
Due Process Ans- involves the government's obligation to treat all citizens fairly. Such a requirement
lessens the extent to which government power can be exercised over the individual, making the power
differential between the two more fair, and ensuring a general sense of political equality
Social Contract Ans- A voluntary agreement among individuals to secure their rights and welfare by
creating a government and abiding by its rules.
Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679) Ans- One of the first individuals to contribute to the idea of the social
contract was a pre-Enlightenment English philosopher
Leviathan (1651): Thomas Hobbes Ans- Hobbes argues that society is not something natural and
immutable, but rather it is something created by us.
Labor Movement Ans- the formation of labor unions, during the 1880's, for the workers to receive
better treatment by
Constitution Ans- A document which spells out the principles by which a government runs and the
fundamental laws that govern a society
Bill of Rights Ans- The first ten amendments to the Constitution
,Declaration of Independence Ans- the document recording the proclamation of the second Continental
Congress (4 July 1776) asserting the independence of the colonies from Great Britain
Thomas Jefferson Ans- Wrote the Declaration of Independence
Shays's Rebellion (1786-1787) Ans- which almost resulted in potential mob rule, suggested there might
be too much democracy at play, and that maybe individual liberty was going too far
Articles of Confederation Ans- A weak constitution that governed America during the Revolutionary
War.
Federalist no. 51 Ans- Argues that separation of powers within the national government is the best way
to prevent the concentration of power in the hands of one person or a single group.
First Amendment Ans- Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or
prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of
the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
Second Amendment Ans- Right to keep and bear arms
Third Amendment Ans- The government may not house soldiers in private homes without consent of
the owner
Forth Amendment Ans- It protects people against unfair searches of their homes; search and seizure.
Fifth Amendment Ans- A constitutional amendment designed to protect the rights of persons accused of
crimes, including protection against double jeopardy, self-incrimination, and punishment without due
process of law.
Sixth Amendment Ans- Right to a speedy and public trial
Seventh Amendment Ans- Right to a trial by jury in civil cases
,Eighth Amendment Ans- No cruel and unusual punishment
Nineth Amendment Ans- peoples rights are not just limited to those listed in the Constitution and Bill of
Rights
Tenth Amendment Ans- Amendment stating that the powers not delegated to the federal gov. are
reserved to the states
bicameral legislature Ans- A law making body made of two houses (bi means 2). Example: Congress (our
legislature) is made of two house - The House of Representatives and The Senate.
House of Representatives Ans- the lower house of Congress, consisting of a different number of
representatives from each state, depending on population
New Jersey Plan Ans- Proposal to create a weak national government
Virginia Plan Ans- Proposal to create a strong national government
Constitutional Convention Ans- Meeting in 1787 of the elected representatives of the thirteen original
states to write the Constitution of the United States.
unicameral legislature Ans- One-house legislature
Three-Fifths Compromise Ans- Agreement that each slave counted as three-fifths of a person in
determining representation in the House for representation and taxation purposes (negated by the 13th
amendment)
Checks and Balances Ans- A system that allows each branch of government to limit the powers of the
other branches in order to prevent abuse of power
, Separation of Powers Ans- Constitutional division of powers among the legislative, executive, and
judicial branches, with the legislative branch making law, the executive applying and enforcing the law,
and the judiciary interpreting the law
federal system Ans- A government that divides the powers of government between the national
government and state or provincial governments
enumerated powers Ans- The powers explicitly given to Congress in the Constitution.
reserved powers Ans- Powers given to the state government alone
Federalists Ans- Supporters of the Constitution that were led by Alexander Hamilton and John Adams.
They firmly believed the national government should be strong. They didn't want the Bill of Rights
because they felt citizens' rights were already well protected by the Constitution.
Anti-Federalists Ans- Opponents of the American Constitution at the time when the states were
contemplating its adoption.
Ratification Ans- Formal approval, final consent to the effectiveness of a constitution, constitutional
amendment, or treaty
Republic Ans- A form of government in which citizens choose their leaders by voting
Habeas Corpus Ans- Constitutional protection against unlawful imprisonment
Federalist Papers Ans- A collection of 85 articles written by Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James
Madison under the name "Publius" to defend the Constitution in detail.
Federalist No. 10 Ans- An essay composed by James Madison which argues that liberty is safest in a large
republic because many interests (factions) exist. Such diversity makes tyranny by the majority more
difficult since ruling coalitions will always be unstable.
Constitution - C963 WGU
natrual rights Ans- Life, Liberty, and Property
John Locke Ans- 17th century English philosopher who opposed the Divine Right of Kings and who
asserted that people have a natural right to life, liberty, and property.
State of Nature Ans- Hypothetical condition assumed to exist in the absence of government where
human beings live in "complete" freedom and general equality.
Due Process Ans- involves the government's obligation to treat all citizens fairly. Such a requirement
lessens the extent to which government power can be exercised over the individual, making the power
differential between the two more fair, and ensuring a general sense of political equality
Social Contract Ans- A voluntary agreement among individuals to secure their rights and welfare by
creating a government and abiding by its rules.
Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679) Ans- One of the first individuals to contribute to the idea of the social
contract was a pre-Enlightenment English philosopher
Leviathan (1651): Thomas Hobbes Ans- Hobbes argues that society is not something natural and
immutable, but rather it is something created by us.
Labor Movement Ans- the formation of labor unions, during the 1880's, for the workers to receive
better treatment by
Constitution Ans- A document which spells out the principles by which a government runs and the
fundamental laws that govern a society
Bill of Rights Ans- The first ten amendments to the Constitution
,Declaration of Independence Ans- the document recording the proclamation of the second Continental
Congress (4 July 1776) asserting the independence of the colonies from Great Britain
Thomas Jefferson Ans- Wrote the Declaration of Independence
Shays's Rebellion (1786-1787) Ans- which almost resulted in potential mob rule, suggested there might
be too much democracy at play, and that maybe individual liberty was going too far
Articles of Confederation Ans- A weak constitution that governed America during the Revolutionary
War.
Federalist no. 51 Ans- Argues that separation of powers within the national government is the best way
to prevent the concentration of power in the hands of one person or a single group.
First Amendment Ans- Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or
prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of
the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
Second Amendment Ans- Right to keep and bear arms
Third Amendment Ans- The government may not house soldiers in private homes without consent of
the owner
Forth Amendment Ans- It protects people against unfair searches of their homes; search and seizure.
Fifth Amendment Ans- A constitutional amendment designed to protect the rights of persons accused of
crimes, including protection against double jeopardy, self-incrimination, and punishment without due
process of law.
Sixth Amendment Ans- Right to a speedy and public trial
Seventh Amendment Ans- Right to a trial by jury in civil cases
,Eighth Amendment Ans- No cruel and unusual punishment
Nineth Amendment Ans- peoples rights are not just limited to those listed in the Constitution and Bill of
Rights
Tenth Amendment Ans- Amendment stating that the powers not delegated to the federal gov. are
reserved to the states
bicameral legislature Ans- A law making body made of two houses (bi means 2). Example: Congress (our
legislature) is made of two house - The House of Representatives and The Senate.
House of Representatives Ans- the lower house of Congress, consisting of a different number of
representatives from each state, depending on population
New Jersey Plan Ans- Proposal to create a weak national government
Virginia Plan Ans- Proposal to create a strong national government
Constitutional Convention Ans- Meeting in 1787 of the elected representatives of the thirteen original
states to write the Constitution of the United States.
unicameral legislature Ans- One-house legislature
Three-Fifths Compromise Ans- Agreement that each slave counted as three-fifths of a person in
determining representation in the House for representation and taxation purposes (negated by the 13th
amendment)
Checks and Balances Ans- A system that allows each branch of government to limit the powers of the
other branches in order to prevent abuse of power
, Separation of Powers Ans- Constitutional division of powers among the legislative, executive, and
judicial branches, with the legislative branch making law, the executive applying and enforcing the law,
and the judiciary interpreting the law
federal system Ans- A government that divides the powers of government between the national
government and state or provincial governments
enumerated powers Ans- The powers explicitly given to Congress in the Constitution.
reserved powers Ans- Powers given to the state government alone
Federalists Ans- Supporters of the Constitution that were led by Alexander Hamilton and John Adams.
They firmly believed the national government should be strong. They didn't want the Bill of Rights
because they felt citizens' rights were already well protected by the Constitution.
Anti-Federalists Ans- Opponents of the American Constitution at the time when the states were
contemplating its adoption.
Ratification Ans- Formal approval, final consent to the effectiveness of a constitution, constitutional
amendment, or treaty
Republic Ans- A form of government in which citizens choose their leaders by voting
Habeas Corpus Ans- Constitutional protection against unlawful imprisonment
Federalist Papers Ans- A collection of 85 articles written by Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James
Madison under the name "Publius" to defend the Constitution in detail.
Federalist No. 10 Ans- An essay composed by James Madison which argues that liberty is safest in a large
republic because many interests (factions) exist. Such diversity makes tyranny by the majority more
difficult since ruling coalitions will always be unstable.
