Constitution
This part of the Constitution explains who the government is for and by.
Preamble
This important concept is where people elect other people to vote on their behalf.
Representative democracy.
This Amendment has freedom of the press, which gives a person the right to publish information critical of the government.
1st Amendment
John Adams believed that government leaders should follow rules as well. He states in his letter to John Penn that society should be an Empire of this and not of men.
Laws
There are only this many amendments in the Constitution even though thousands have been proposed.
27
The first three of these define the structure and powers of each of the branches of government.
Articles
Baron de Montesquieu came up with this concept where each branch of government has separate responsibilities.
Separation of powers.
This Amendment is the one that mentions due process.
5th Amendment
In John Adams' letter to John Penn, he mentions this constitutional principle when he talks about a Delegation of Power
Representative democracy.
The 21st amendment was the only one to repeal a previous amendment, the 18th, which started this era of banning alcohol sales.
Prohibition
Article IV guarantees this form of government in each state.
Republican
This concept is when each branch of government has measures to stop the other branches from becoming too powerful.
Checks and balances.
This Amendment guarantees the right to a fair trial.
This man wrote to the Danbury Baptist Association using the 1st amendment to calm their fears about religious freedom.
Thomas Jefferson
The idea that the Constitution is "the supreme law of the land" is known as this. Don't overthink this!
Supremacy Clause
Article V establishes that the Constitution is a living document and changes through the addition of these.
Amendments
This is the concept of the national government sharing power with the states.
Federalism.
This Amendment deals with the right to bear arms.
2nd Amendment
Humans cannot be fully depended on to govern themselves or each other. In trying to make this point, James Madison in Federalist 51 compares men to these.
Angels
Out of the original 13 states, this many needed to ratify the Constitution for it to go into effect.
9
You might remember a political cartoon about pillars and ratifying the Constitution. This state's pillar was crumbling, meaning they needed convincing to ratify.
Rhode Island
The power to veto a bill is a check held by this branch of government.
Executive
Despite being a member of the Federalist party, this man was the one who drafted what became the Bill of Rights.
James Madison
"Experience has taught mankind the necessity of precautions." This statement in Federalist 51 manifests itself in this constitutional pillar.
Checks and balances.
The Preamble mentions this, which is simply defined as the right of the people to govern themselves.
Popular sovereignty.