Fundamental Principles (CE.1a)
This principle states that the government is not all-powerful and may do only those things the people have given it the power to do.
What is Limited Government?
Written by Thomas Jefferson in 1776, this document declared the 13 colonies free from Great Britain and affirmed unalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
What is the Declaration of Independence?
This first form of national government for the independent states gave major power to individual states, created a weak central government, and ultimately failed.
What are the Articles of Confederation?
This opening paragraph of the U.S. Constitution states the six primary goals and purposes of the American government.
What is the Preamble?
This term refers to a formal, written change or addition made to a constitution
What is an Amendment?
According to this fundamental principle, citizens elect public officeholders to make laws and conduct government on their behalf.
What is Representative Government (or Republicanism)?
Signed in England in 1215, this historic document established for the first time that the power of the King was limited and introduced the idea of trial by jury.
What is the Magna Carta?
During the Constitutional Convention, this proposed plan favored larger states by basing congressional representation strictly on state population.
What is the Virginia Plan?
The Preamble goal "to provide for the common defense" means the government has the responsibility to maintain these forces to protect citizens from external threats.
What is the military (or armed forces / national defense.
To propose an amendment to the U.S. Constitution, this fraction of both the Senate and the House of Representatives must vote to approve it.
What is two-thirds ($2/3$)?
Under this constitutional rule, everyone—including government officials, lawmakers, and police officers—must obey the law.
What is the Rule of Law?
These documents granted by King James I guaranteed that English colonists in Jamestown retained all the rights and liberties of native-born Englishmen.
What are the Charters of the Virginia Company of London?
This major agreement solved the dispute between large and small states by creating a bicameral Congress with equal representation in the Senate and population-based representation in the House.
What is the Great Compromise (or Connecticut Compromise)?
Found in the 5th and 14th Amendments, this legal concept guarantees that the government must act fairly and follow established procedures when enforcing laws.
What is Due Process?
After an amendment to the U.S. Constitution is proposed by Congress, it must be ratified by this fraction of all state legislatures.
What is three-fourths ($3/4$)?
The phrase "We the People" in the Constitution directly reflects this principle, meaning people are the ultimate source of any and all governmental power.
What is Consent of the Governed (or Popular Sovereignty)
Written by George Mason, this 1776 state document served as a model and inspiration for the U.S. Bill of Rights.
What is the Virginia Declaration of Rights?
This group supported the ratification of the new U.S. Constitution because they favored a strong central government.
Who are the Federalists?
Article VI of the U.S. Constitution contains this clause, which declares that federal law and the U.S. Constitution are higher than state laws when conflict arises.
What is the Supremacy Clause?
Unlike the federal amendment process, an amendment to the Virginia Constitution must ultimately be approved by this group of people during an election.
Who are the voters of Virginia?
While Separation of Powers divides government authority into three distinct branches, this principle gives each branch ways to limit the powers of the other two branches.
What are Checks and Balances?
Authored by Thomas Jefferson, this document stated that freedom of religious beliefs and opinions is an inherent right and formed the basis of the First Amendment's freedom of religion clause.
What is the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom?
Anti-Federalists opposed ratifying the Constitution without this addition, which was promised to protect individual liberties from national government overreach.
What is the Bill of Rights?
Which specific phrase from the Preamble means establishing peace, order, and safety within our own country's borders?
What is "Insure domestic Tranquility"?
How many total amendments have been successfully added to the United States Constitution throughout American history?
What is 27?