WGU C963
WGU C963 American Politics and the
US Constitution (ANSWERED)
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
WGU C963 NGURE
, WGU C963
way to prevent the concentration of power in the hands of one person or a
single group.
WGU C963 NGURE
, WGU C963
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
WGU C963 NGURE
, WGU C963
representation in the House for representation and taxation purposes
(negated by the 13th amendment)
Checks and Balances
WGU C963 NGURE
WGU C963 American Politics and the
US Constitution (ANSWERED)
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
WGU C963 NGURE
, WGU C963
way to prevent the concentration of power in the hands of one person or a
single group.
WGU C963 NGURE
, WGU C963
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
WGU C963 NGURE
, WGU C963
representation in the House for representation and taxation purposes
(negated by the 13th amendment)
Checks and Balances
WGU C963 NGURE
