AMERICAN POLITICS AND THE US CONSTITUTION - C963 WGU|UPDATED&VERIFIED|100% SOLVED|GUARANTEED SUCCESS

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 () 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 () 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