Chapter 2

God-given rights that cannot be taken away, including the rights to life, liberty, and property.

A 17th-century English philosopher whose ideas greatly influenced American political thought, particularly on natural rights and the relationship between government and individuals.

A historic document signed by King John in 1215, which established limits on the monarch's power and protected the rights of English citizens, including life, liberty, and property.

A fundamental principle of due process that ensures a fair and legal trial before a jury of one's peers.

The idea that governments derive their legitimacy and power from the consent of the governed, and that citizens have the right to participate in the political decision-making process.

An agreement between a people and their government where citizens give up some of their freedom in exchange for protection of their natural rights. This agreement is implicitly made by consent.

A set of rights and freedoms guaranteed by law and protected from the arbitrary power of government. These rights are specifically enumerated and granted to citizens by a government.

The belief that power should be limited and distributed among different branches of government to prevent any one person or group from gaining too much control. It emphasizes the importance of checks and balances and separation of powers.

The idea that governments should be formed by and accountable to the people they govern, with citizens having the power to participate in political decision-making, through elections and representation.

The Proclamation of 1763 was a law passed by Parliament that forbade the colonists from settling west of the Appalachian Mountains.

Direct taxes are imposed on individuals, while indirect taxes are imposed on transactions. The colonists were upset because they believed they were being taxed without their consent.

Virtual representation was the idea that members of Parliament represented all British subjects, even those who did not vote for them. Colonists argued this was unfair and violated their rights.

The Boston Massacre was an incident where British soldiers fired on unarmed civilians in Boston. It heightened tensions and fueled resistance against British rule.

The Boston Tea Party was a demonstration where colonists dumped tea owned by the British East India Company into the harbor, showing their strong opposition to British policies.

A system where independent states work together for common goals, like defense, but retain their own governing power.

A system where citizens elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf, with power resting with the people, not a monarch.

A set of rules and agreements that establish the framework for a new government, defining its powers and responsibilities.

The states' reluctance to create a strong central government, fearing a repeat of tyranny like that experienced under British rule.

The central government had limited powers under the Articles of Confederation, mainly focused on defense and foreign affairs.

The central government under the Articles of Confederation lacked the power to levy taxes, relying on requests for funds from states, which were often ignored, leading to an underfunded government unable to pay debts or effectively conduct foreign affairs.

The Articles of Confederation provided the national government with the ability to declare war and make peace, but it lacked the authority to raise an army, leaving defense largely to the states, which could choose to ignore requests for troops, leaving the nation vulnerable.

The Articles of Confederation failed to establish a national judicial system, leaving the enforcement of national laws and the interpretation of the Constitution to the states, which resulted in inconsistencies and a weakened national system.

The Articles of Confederation prohibited the central government from imposing tariffs on imports or regulating interstate commerce, leading to economic chaos, as British goods flooded the market and states created trade barriers among themselves.

Shays' Rebellion, an uprising by Massachusetts farmers protesting high taxes and debt, highlighted the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation, as the central government was powerless to raise an army to quell the unrest, leading many to call for a stronger national government.

A rebellion by farmers in western Massachusetts in 1786, protesting high taxes and debt burden, and highlighting the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.

The proposal by delegates from Virginia that called for a bicameral legislature with representation based on population in each house.

The proposal from delegates of smaller states, advocating for a unicameral legislature where each state would have one vote, regardless of its size.

The disagreement over how to represent states with different populations in the national legislature, leading to debates between the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan.

The complex and contentious issue of slavery that divided the Constitutional Convention, with delegates from Southern states advocating for protecting their interests in maintaining slavery, while delegates from other states sought to abolish it.

A mechanism where each branch of government can limit the power of the other two branches, preventing any one branch from becoming too powerful.

The division of government into three separate branches: legislative, executive, and judicial, each with specific powers and responsibilities.

The agreement reached during the Constitutional Convention that counted enslaved people as three-fifths of a person for purposes of representation in the House of Representatives.

The process by which the Supreme Court determines the constitutionality of laws passed by Congress or by state legislatures.

The power of the president to reject a bill passed by Congress, preventing it from becoming law.

The belief that the king and Parliament had deprived colonists of their liberties led to the Revolution, and many feared the US government might try to do the same. They wanted guarantees for the rights of life, liberty, and property.

A compromise that established a bicameral legislature: the Senate with equal representation for each state, and the House of Representatives based on population. This addressed concerns of both small and large states.

The Constitution allows Congress to regulate commerce between states and with foreign countries, ensuring a cohesive national economy.

The Constitution empowers the federal government to override state laws when they conflict with the Constitution, ensuring national supremacy.