American Politics and the US Constitution - C963 WGU
summer 2023 with complete solution
natrual rights
Life, Liberty, and Property
John Locke
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
Hypothetical condition assumed to exist in the absence of government where human
beings live in "complete" freedom and general equality.
Due Process
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
A voluntary agreement among individuals to secure their rights and welfare by creating
a government and abiding by its rules.
Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679)
One of the first individuals to contribute to the idea of the social contract was a pre-
Enlightenment English philosopher
Leviathan (1651): Thomas Hobbes
Hobbes argues that society is not something natural and immutable, but rather it is
something created by us.
Labor Movement
the formation of labor unions, during the 1880's, for the workers to receive better
treatment by
Constitution
A document which spells out the principles by which a government runs and the
fundamental laws that govern a society
Bill of Rights
The first ten amendments to the Constitution
Declaration of Independence
the document recording the proclamation of the second Continental Congress (4 July
1776) asserting the independence of the colonies from Great Britain
Thomas Jefferson
Wrote the Declaration of Independence
Shays's Rebellion (1786-1787)
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
A weak constitution that governed America during the Revolutionary War.
Federalist no. 51
,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
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
Right to keep and bear arms
Third Amendment
The government may not house soldiers in private homes without consent of the owner
Forth Amendment
It protects people against unfair searches of their homes; search and seizure.
Fifth Amendment
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
Right to a speedy and public trial
Seventh Amendment
Right to a trial by jury in civil cases
Eighth Amendment
No cruel and unusual punishment
Nineth Amendment
peoples rights are not just limited to those listed in the Constitution and Bill of Rights
Tenth Amendment
Amendment stating that the powers not delegated to the federal gov. are reserved to
the states
bicameral legislature
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
the lower house of Congress, consisting of a different number of representatives from
each state, depending on population
New Jersey Plan
Proposal to create a weak national government
Virginia Plan
Proposal to create a strong national government
Constitutional Convention
Meeting in 1787 of the elected representatives of the thirteen original states to write the
Constitution of the United States.
unicameral legislature
One-house legislature
Three-Fifths Compromise
,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
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
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
A government that divides the powers of government between the national government
and state or provincial governments
enumerated powers
The powers explicitly given to Congress in the Constitution.
reserved powers
Powers given to the state government alone
Federalists
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
Opponents of the American Constitution at the time when the states were contemplating
its adoption.
Ratification
Formal approval, final consent to the effectiveness of a constitution, constitutional
amendment, or treaty
Republic
A form of government in which citizens choose their leaders by voting
Habeas Corpus
Constitutional protection against unlawful imprisonment
Federalist Papers
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
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.
Legislative Branch (Congress)
makes laws, imposes taxes, and declares war
Judicial Branch (Supreme Court)
interprets the constitution and other laws, reviews lower-court decisions
Executive Branch (President)
has the power to enforce the law
Executive Orders
, Formal orders issued by the president to direct action by the federal bureaucracy.
checks on the executive branch
By Congress
Can override a presidential veto by a two-thirds vote in both chambers
Must approve treaties by a two-thirds vote in the Senate
Control of funding activities of the executive branch
Presidential nominees must be approved by the Senate
Only Congress can declare war
House can impeach the president or vice president and the Senate can remove them by
a two-thirds vote
By Judiciary
Can overturn actions of the president with judicial review if the actions violate the
Constitution
Serve during good behavior to maintain independence of judiciary
Checks on Congress
By President
Can veto legislation
Can use executive agreements
Can use executive orders
Negotiates treaties (not Congress)
By Judiciary
Can overturn acts of Congress as unconstitutional if they violate the law
Can influence laws by interpretation
Serve during good behavior to maintain independence of judiciary
Checks on Judiciary
By President
Nominates judges
Power of pardon
By Congress
Senate must approve judges and justices
Controls jurisdiction of the courts
Determines size of Supreme Court
House can impeach judges and Senate can remove them by two-thirds vote
federalist system
political powers are divided between national and state levels in an effort to avoid
concentrating control in the hands of one person
Equal Rights Amendment (ERA)
Proposed the 27th Amendment, calling for equal rights for both sexes. Defeated in the
House in 1972.
Fifteenth Amendment
summer 2023 with complete solution
natrual rights
Life, Liberty, and Property
John Locke
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
Hypothetical condition assumed to exist in the absence of government where human
beings live in "complete" freedom and general equality.
Due Process
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
A voluntary agreement among individuals to secure their rights and welfare by creating
a government and abiding by its rules.
Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679)
One of the first individuals to contribute to the idea of the social contract was a pre-
Enlightenment English philosopher
Leviathan (1651): Thomas Hobbes
Hobbes argues that society is not something natural and immutable, but rather it is
something created by us.
Labor Movement
the formation of labor unions, during the 1880's, for the workers to receive better
treatment by
Constitution
A document which spells out the principles by which a government runs and the
fundamental laws that govern a society
Bill of Rights
The first ten amendments to the Constitution
Declaration of Independence
the document recording the proclamation of the second Continental Congress (4 July
1776) asserting the independence of the colonies from Great Britain
Thomas Jefferson
Wrote the Declaration of Independence
Shays's Rebellion (1786-1787)
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
A weak constitution that governed America during the Revolutionary War.
Federalist no. 51
,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
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
Right to keep and bear arms
Third Amendment
The government may not house soldiers in private homes without consent of the owner
Forth Amendment
It protects people against unfair searches of their homes; search and seizure.
Fifth Amendment
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
Right to a speedy and public trial
Seventh Amendment
Right to a trial by jury in civil cases
Eighth Amendment
No cruel and unusual punishment
Nineth Amendment
peoples rights are not just limited to those listed in the Constitution and Bill of Rights
Tenth Amendment
Amendment stating that the powers not delegated to the federal gov. are reserved to
the states
bicameral legislature
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
the lower house of Congress, consisting of a different number of representatives from
each state, depending on population
New Jersey Plan
Proposal to create a weak national government
Virginia Plan
Proposal to create a strong national government
Constitutional Convention
Meeting in 1787 of the elected representatives of the thirteen original states to write the
Constitution of the United States.
unicameral legislature
One-house legislature
Three-Fifths Compromise
,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
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
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
A government that divides the powers of government between the national government
and state or provincial governments
enumerated powers
The powers explicitly given to Congress in the Constitution.
reserved powers
Powers given to the state government alone
Federalists
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
Opponents of the American Constitution at the time when the states were contemplating
its adoption.
Ratification
Formal approval, final consent to the effectiveness of a constitution, constitutional
amendment, or treaty
Republic
A form of government in which citizens choose their leaders by voting
Habeas Corpus
Constitutional protection against unlawful imprisonment
Federalist Papers
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
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.
Legislative Branch (Congress)
makes laws, imposes taxes, and declares war
Judicial Branch (Supreme Court)
interprets the constitution and other laws, reviews lower-court decisions
Executive Branch (President)
has the power to enforce the law
Executive Orders
, Formal orders issued by the president to direct action by the federal bureaucracy.
checks on the executive branch
By Congress
Can override a presidential veto by a two-thirds vote in both chambers
Must approve treaties by a two-thirds vote in the Senate
Control of funding activities of the executive branch
Presidential nominees must be approved by the Senate
Only Congress can declare war
House can impeach the president or vice president and the Senate can remove them by
a two-thirds vote
By Judiciary
Can overturn actions of the president with judicial review if the actions violate the
Constitution
Serve during good behavior to maintain independence of judiciary
Checks on Congress
By President
Can veto legislation
Can use executive agreements
Can use executive orders
Negotiates treaties (not Congress)
By Judiciary
Can overturn acts of Congress as unconstitutional if they violate the law
Can influence laws by interpretation
Serve during good behavior to maintain independence of judiciary
Checks on Judiciary
By President
Nominates judges
Power of pardon
By Congress
Senate must approve judges and justices
Controls jurisdiction of the courts
Determines size of Supreme Court
House can impeach judges and Senate can remove them by two-thirds vote
federalist system
political powers are divided between national and state levels in an effort to avoid
concentrating control in the hands of one person
Equal Rights Amendment (ERA)
Proposed the 27th Amendment, calling for equal rights for both sexes. Defeated in the
House in 1972.
Fifteenth Amendment
