AP USGoPO Chapter 2 Vocab

a nations basic law. can be written or unwritten

the document approved by representatives that stated their grievances against King George III

right inherent on human beings, not dependent on governments (life, liberty, property)

the idea that government derives its authority from the people

the idea that certain restrictions should be placed on government to protect the natural rights of citizens

the first constitution of the U.S., adopted by Congress in 1777 and ratified in 1781

a series of attacks on courthouses by a small band of farmers led by Daniel Shays to block foreclosure proceedings

the document written in 1787 and ratified in 1788 that sets forth the institutional structures of the U.S. government, the tasks they perform, and the relationships among them

groups that arise from the unequal distribution of property or wealth and have the potential to cause instability to the government

called for equal representation of each state in Congress despite the states population

called for representation for each state to be proportional to it’s population

established two houses of Congress; Senate (equal representation), and House of Reps (based on population)

court order requiring authorities to explain to a judge what lawful reason they have for holding a prisoner in custody

the three branches of government are relatively independent so that one cannot have control over another; power is shared among these branches

feature of the Constitution that requires each branch to obtain the consent of the others for its actions; they limit the power of each branch

a form of government in which the people select representatives to govern them and make laws

the first 10 amendments, drafted in response to some of the anti-federalists concerns (freedom of religion, speech, and press)

85 essays that advocate ratification of the Constitution and provide commentary on the nature of the new system of government

would guarantee equal legal rights for all U.S. citizens, regardless of their sex. it failed to acquire the necessary support from 3/4 of the state legislatures

the case in which the Supreme Court asserted its power to determine the meaning of the U.S. Constitution

the power of the courts to determine whether acts of Congress and those of the executive branch are in accord with the Constitution