AMERICAN POLITICS AND THE US
CONSTITUTION - WGU C963 EXAM
STUDY GUIDE 2026 | GRADED A+ |
GUARANTEED SUCCESS
Updated 2026 Questions and Answers | 100% Verified
Exam Prep and Comprehensive Rationales Included
,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.
CONSTITUTION - WGU C963 EXAM
STUDY GUIDE 2026 | GRADED A+ |
GUARANTEED SUCCESS
Updated 2026 Questions and Answers | 100% Verified
Exam Prep and Comprehensive Rationales Included
,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.
