The Constitution
These are the three branches of the U.S. government.
Legislative, Executive, Judicial.
This principle means the people are the main source of government power.
Popular sovereignty.
These protect the right of citizens to protest.
The Bill of Rights—especially the First Amendment rights to speech, assembly, and petition.
This plan favored large states by calling for representation based on population.
The Virginia Plan.
It’s important to do this because it allows citizens to choose leaders and influence government decisions.
Vote.
These are the first 10 amendments to the Constitution.
The Bill of Rights; they protect individual rights and freedoms.
This principle makes checks and balances possible.
Separation of powers.
This civic duty is important because it ensures fair trials.
Serving on a jury.
This plan favored small states by giving equal representation to each state.
The New Jersey Plan.
When Americans vote for president, they are really voting for these people in the Electoral College.
Electors.
These articles of the Constitution outline the three branches of government.
Articles I–III; demonstrating separation of powers.
This principle divides power between the national and state governments.
Federalism.
This phrase in the Preamble is connected to due process in the Fifth Amendment.
“Establish justice”; the Constitution ensures fairness under the law.
This compromise created a two-house legislature.
The Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise).
This grievance in the Declaration of Independence was fixed by the Bill of Rights.
Examples: protection against unreasonable searches, fair trials, no quartering of soldiers, etc.
This opening section of the Constitution lists the goals of the new government.
The Preamble; goals include forming a more perfect union, establishing justice, ensuring domestic tranquility, providing for defense, promoting welfare, and securing liberty.
Federalist #51 says the government must guard against oppression by doing this.
Dividing power so no branch becomes too strong (checks and balances).
U.S. citizens must pay these as a major civic responsibility.
Taxes.
This compromise increased southern states’ representation in Congress.
The Three-Fifths Compromise.
This responsibility helps keep peace and order within the country.
Ensuring domestic tranquility.
This power allows the Supreme Court to declare laws unconstitutional.
Judicial Review.
The Founders believed democracy works best when citizens think of society, not just this.
Their own self-interest.
This is a right enjoyed by all U.S. citizens even though it is not listed in the Constitution.
The right to privacy.
Article I, Section 9 affected slavery by doing this.
Banning Congress from ending the slave trade until 1808.
This major problem convinced the Founders to revise the Articles of Confederation.
The federal government was too weak—could not tax, enforce laws, or respond to crises like Shays’ Rebellion.