Vocabulary
What is a confederation?
A loose alliance of countries, states, and other political units in which each unit maintains most or all power over itself
The delegates to the Constitutional Convention are known as the.....
Framers of the Constitution.
What are the two steps of the amendment process?
1. The Proposal Step
2. The Ratification Step
What was the delegates 3 beliefs that was displayed in the Bill of Rights?
freedom, justice, and fairness
What is a representative democracy?
A government where people vote for (elect) a smaller group of citizens to make the laws for everyone
In May 1787, how many states met up to the Constitutional Convention to revise the Articles of Confederation
12 states
The first step in the amendment process is..
Two-thirds of Congress votes to propose an amendment.
Explain this 5th Amendment statement:
“...nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb”
A person can't be taken to court twice for the same crime.
What are amendments?
Amendments are changes or additions to a written document.
What was the problem about the U.S. Constitution?
The Articles of Confederation created a weak national government.
The second step in the amendment process is..
Legislatures in three-fourths of the U.S states ratify the amendment.
True or False:
The goal of due process is to treat people fairly.
True
What are rights?
Freedoms that are protected by law
What was the solution for the U.S. Constitution?
The U.S Constitution was written to create a stronger government.
The third step in the amendment process is..
The amendment is officially added to the Constitution.
Explain the 5th amendment statement:
“nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself…”
The government can't force someone to incriminate themselves
A legal process established to make sure people are not punished without first being proven guilty in a fair trial
The U.S. government is classified as a republic or representative democracy because of what two characteristics?
1. Citizens elect people to represent them in government.
2. Citizens are the source of the government’s power.
Why did the framers only want amendments to pass if they were important to most Americans?
Because any change to the Constitution is a change to the fundamental structure of the United States.
In your own words, explain how the Constitution and the amendment process protect citizens’ rights by due process.
Answers may vary but may include:
The Bill of Rights lists the rights that the government could not take away from citizens. Many of these amendments describe due process and the rights of people who are accused of crimes. These amendments require that the government give people due process and protect their rights. The judicial branch makes sure that the government follows the Constitution.