Key Documents
This document, written by Thomas Jefferson, listed grievances against King George III.
What is the Declaration of Independence?
This principle divides government powers among legislative, executive, and judicial branches.
What is separation of powers?
This compromise created a bicameral legislature with the Senate and House.
What is the Great Compromise?
This clause gives Congress the power to make all laws “necessary and proper.”
What is the Elastic Clause?
This rebellion exposed the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.
What is Shays’ Rebellion?
This document established the first government of the U.S. but created a weak central authority.
What are the Articles of Confederation?
This principle gives each branch of government the power to limit the others.
What are checks and balances?
This agreement counted enslaved individuals as part of the population for representation.
What is the Three-Fifths Compromise?
This clause gives national laws precedence over state laws.
What is the Supremacy Clause?
This amendment reserves powers not given to the federal government to the states.
What is the 10th Amendment?
James Madison wrote this essay arguing for a large republic to control factions.
What is Federalist No. 10?
Power shared between national and state governments.
What is federalism?
This compromise delayed congressional action on the slave trade.
What is the Commerce and Slave Trade Compromise?
The power to regulate commerce between states belongs to this level of government.
What is the national/federal government?
Type of federalism where state and national governments are clearly separated.
What is dual federalism?
This essay by Brutus warned against a powerful central government.
What is Brutus No. 1?
The idea that government authority comes from the people.
What is popular sovereignty?
The conflict over this issue led to the need for the Bill of Rights.
What is the power of the central government?
These powers are specifically listed in the Constitution for Congress.
What are enumerated powers?
Type of federalism where governments work together and share responsibilities.
What is cooperative federalism?
This foundational document set up a system of checks and balances and separation of powers.
What is the U.S. Constitution?
This principle limits the power of government to prevent tyranny.
What is limited government?
The group that favored the Constitution as written.
Who were the Federalists?
Powers not written in the Constitution but used to carry out expressed powers.
What are implied powers?
A grant with specific instructions on how it should be used.
What is a categorical grant?