Constitution
A nation's basic law. It creates political institutions, assigns or divides powers in government, and often provides certain guarantees to citizens.
Declaration of Independence
The document approved by representatives of the American colonies in 1776 that stated their grievances against the British monarch and declared their independence.
Natural Rights
Rights inherent in human beings, not dependent on governments, which include life, liberty, and property.
Consent of the Governed
The idea that government derives its authority by sanction of the people.
Limited Government
The idea that certain restrictions should be placed on government to protect the natural rights of citizens.
Articles of Confederation
The first constitution of the United States, adopted by Congress in 1777 and enacted in 1781. Established a national legislature, the Continental Congress, but most authority rested with the state legislatures.
Shay's Rebellion
A series of attacks on courthouses by a small band of farmers to block foreclosure proceedings.
U.S. Constitution
The document written in 1787 and ratified in 1788 that sets forth the institutional structure of U.U. government and the tasks these institutions perform.
Factions
Interest groups arising from the unequal distribution of property or wealth that James Madison attacked in Federalist Paper No. 10.
New Jersey Plan
The proposal at the Constitutional Convention that called for equal representation of each state in Congress regardless of the state's population.
Virginia Plan
The proposal at the Constitutional Convention that called for representation of each state in Congress in proportion to that state's share of the U.S. population.
Connecticut Compromise
Established two houses of Congress: House of Representatives and the Senate.
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
A feature of the Constitution that requires each of the three branches of government to be relatively independent of the others so that one cannot control the others. Power is shared.
Checks and Balances
Features of the Constitution that limit government's power by requiring that power be balanced among the different governmental institutions. These institutions continually constrain one another's activities.
Republic
A form of government in which the people select representatives to govern them and make laws.
Federalists
Supporters of the U.S. Constitution at the time the states were contemplating its adoption
Anti-Federalists
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, and James Madison under the name "Publius" to defend the Constitution in detail.
Bill of Rights
The first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution drafted in response to some of the Anti-Federalist concerns. They define such basic liberties as freedom of religion, speech, and press and guarantee defendant's rights.
Equal Rights Amendment
Passed in 1972 stating that rights should not be denied based on sex. It failed to acquire the necessary support from three-fourths of the state legislatures.
Marbury v. Madison
1803 case in which Chief Justice John Marshall first asserted the right of the Supreme Court to determine the meaning of the U.S. Constitution. It established judicial review over acts of congress.
Judicial Review
The power of the courts to determine whether acts of Congress, and by implication the executive, are in accord with the U.S. Constitution.