Founding Documents
Signed in 1215, this document established that even the king had to follow the law
Magna Carta
The Articles of Confederation created America's first national government, but most of the power remained with these governments.
State Governments
Delegates at the Constitutional Convention originally gathered to revise this document because it had created a national government that was too weak.
Articles of Confederation
Federalists
The Preamble to the Constitution begins with these three famous words.
We the People
The first ten amendments to the Constitution are collectively known as this.
Bill of Rights
This 1689 document limited the power of the English monarchy and protected certain rights.
English Bill of rights
One major weakness of the Articles was that Congress could request money from the states but could not require payment because it lacked this power.
Power to Tax
Philadelphia
This group feared that the new Constitution gave too much power to the national government.
Anti-Federalists
The Constitution is known as the supreme ______ of the land.
Law
This amendment protects freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly, and petition.
First Amendment
This document formally announced the colonies' separation from Great Britain in 1776.
Declaration of Independence
A major weakness of the Articles was the national government's inability to enforce laws because it lacked this branch of government.
Executive Branch
Virginia Plan
These essays, written by Hamilton, Madison, and Jay, encouraged Americans to support the ratification of the Constitution.
Federalist Papers
The first three articles of the Constitution establish these three branches of government.
Legislative, Executive, and Judicial
Police generally cannot search your home without a warrant or another legal justification because of this amendment.
Fourth Amendment
The Declaration of Independence includes a list of grievances against this British monarch.
King George III
This rebellion of Massachusetts farmers exposed the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and increased demands for a stronger national government.
Shays' Rebellion
This plan favored smaller states by proposing equal representation for each state.
New Jersey Plan
Anti-Federalists demanded the addition of this to the Constitution to protect individual freedoms.
Bill of Rights
This constitutional principle divides the powers of government among three branches to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful.
Separation of Powers
A person accused of a crime refuses to testify against themselves. This amendment protects against self-incrimination.
Fifth Amendment
According to the Declaration of Independence, when a government repeatedly violates the people's rights, citizens have the right to do this.
Alter or abolish the government
One major weakness of the Articles was that changing the government required approval from all 13 states. What is this requirement called?
Unanimous Approval
This compromise resolved the disagreement between large and small states by creating a two-house legislature with population-based and equal representation.
Great Compromise
A delegate argues, 'Without a list of protected rights, the national government could take away our freedoms!' This delegate would most likely belong to this group.
Anti-Federalists
The president can veto a bill passed by Congress, but Congress can override that veto. This illustrates which constitutional principle?
Checks and Balances
This amendment reserves powers not delegated to the national government go to the states.
Tenth Amendment