Becoming a Country
What's in that Constitution?
Consequences!
US Government
Miscellaneous Vocab
100
This document, the nation's first constitution, was adopted by the Second Continental Congress in 1781 during the Revolution. The document was limited because states held most of the power, and Congress lacked the power to tax, regulate trade, or control coinage.
What are the Articles of Confederation?
100
The first ten amendments of the Constitution. The first nine limited Congress' power; the 10th game states the power to make laws not included in the Constitution.
What are the Bill of Rights?
100
The Principle that the law applies to everyone, even those who govern.
What is the rule of law?
100

The division of power among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government.

What is separation of powers?

100

One of several compromises enacted by the Constitutional Convention of 1787. It declared that for purposes of representation in Congress, enslaved blacks in a state would be counted as three-fifths of the number of white inhabitants of that state.

What is the Three-Fifths Compromise or Clause?
200
The meeting of state delegates in 1787 in Philadelphia called to revise the Articles of Confederation. It, instead, designed a new plan of government, the U.S. Constitution.
What is the Constitutional Convention?
200
The introductory paragraph to the U.S. Constitution that establishes justice, insures domestic tranquility, provides for the common defense, promotes the general welfare, and secures the blessings of liberty, etc.
What is the Preamble?
200
A court order allowing police to search property and seize evidence.
What is a warrant?
200
A system that allows each branch of government to limit the powers of the other branches in order to prevent abuse of power.
What are checks and balances?
200
The freedom to think and act without government interference or fear of unfair legal treatment.
What are civil liberties?
300
Supports of the Constitution that were led by Alexander Hamilton and John Adams. They firmly believed the national government should be strong.
What are Federalists?
300
The seven main divisions of the body of the Constitution
What are the Articles?
300
A formal charge by a grand jury.
What is an indictment?
300
The upper house of the United States Congress, containing two members for each state.
What is the Senate?
300
A formal request to someone in authority, usually written, and signed by a group of people.
What is a petition?
400
Opponents of a strong central government who campaigned against the ratification of the Constitution in favor of a confederation of independent states.
What are the Anti-federalists?
400
The right to say our opinions, in public or in private, without fear of being stopped or punished by the government for those ideas.
What is free speech?
400
A selected group of 16 to 23 people, convening for from a month up to a year in private, acting independently of attorneys and judges, to assess whether there is adequate basis for bringing a criminal charge against a suspect. 
What is a Grand Jury?
400
The lower house of Congress, containing members for each state based on state population.
What is the House of Representatives?
400
Being tried twice for the same crime, prohibited by the Fifth Amendment.
What is double jeopardy?
500
A series of 85 essays written by Hamilton, Madison, and Jay, but published using the pen name "Publius," in New York newspapers and used to convince readers to adopt the new Constitution. 
What are the Federalist papers?
500
The situation occurring when an individual accused of a crime is compelled to be a witness against him/herself in court. The Fifth Amendment forbids it.
What is self-incrimination?
500
A reasonable basis to believe a person or premises is linked to a crime.
What is probable cause?
500
The people members of Congress have been elected to represent.
Who are the constituents?
500

A request for the production of documents, or a request to appear in court or other legal proceeding. It is court-ordered command that essentially requires you to do something, such as testify or present information that may help support the facts that are at issue in a pending case. 

What is a subpoena?
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