This early U.S. governing document created a very weak national government with most power given to the states.
Articles of Confederation
This author wrote or co-wrote many Federalist Papers defending the Constitution
James Madison
Or Alexander Hamilton
This document established the framework for the United States government.
United States Constitution
This 1776 document declared the American colonies independent from Britain.
Declaration of Independence
This Anti-Federalist essay warned that the Constitution created a national government that was too powerful
Brutus 1
Under this system, Congress had no power to do this with citizens or states, which caused major financial problems.
Taxing
Federalist 10 focuses mainly on controlling this danger in government
The first ten amendments to the Constitution are collectively known as this.
Bill of Rights
Which author drafted most of the Declaration?
Thomas Jefferson
The author of Brutus 1 argued that a large republic would weaken this political value
Individual liberty
This rebellion exposed the weaknesses of the Articles and helped lead to the Constitutional Convention.
Shays Rebellion
Federalist 51 explains this important principle used to limit government power
Checks and Balances
This amendment guarantees freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly, and petition.
First Amendment
The Declaration states that governments derive their power from this.
Consent of the Governed
This civil rights leader wrote Letter from Birmingham Jail while imprisoned in 1963
Martin Luther King Jr
This rule required every state to agree before the Articles could be amended.
Unanimous consent
Federalist 70 argues that this branch should be led by a single strong leader
Executive Branch
This amendment abolished slavery in the United States.
13th Amendment
What was the purpose of the Declaration of Independence
Justifying the colonies' decision to break away from Britain and explain their grievances to the world.
In Letter from Birmingham Jail, King defends this form of protest against unjust laws
Civil Disobedience
This branch of government did NOT exist under the Articles of Confederation.
Executive Branch
A National Judiciary
Federalist 78 describes the role of this branch and its power of judicial review
Judicial Branch
This principle means power is shared between national and state governments.
Federalism
This Enlightenment thinker influenced the idea of natural rights in the Declaration.
John Locke
King argues that people have a moral responsibility to break these types of laws
Unjust laws