THE CONSTITUTION
How many branches of government does the Constitution create?
Three
What are the first ten amendments to the Constitution called?
The Bill of Rights
Who is generally considered the main writer of the U.S. Constitution?
James Madison
What group supported ratification of the Constitution?
Federalists
What was the Virginia Plan?
A proposal that called for a strong central government with three branches and representation in Congress based on state population
What does popular sovereignty mean?
Power to the People
Which amendment protects freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly, and petition?
First Amendment
Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?
Thomas Jefferson
What group opposed or had concerns about ratifying the Constitution?
Anti-Federalists
What was the New Jersey Plan?
A plan calling for equal representation for each state.
What does separation of powers mean?
Dividing government power among different branches.
Which amendment protects people from being forced to testify against themselves?
Fifth Amendment
Who was the Declaration of Independence written to?
The King of Great Britain / British government
What was added to help convince Anti-Federalists to support the Constitution?
The Bill of Rights
What was the Great Compromise?
An agreement during the drafting of the U.S. Constitution that resolved a dispute between large and small states by creating a two-part congress (the House of Representatives and the Senate)
What does bicameral mean?
A legislature with two houses/chambers.
Which amendment abolished slavery?
Thirteenth Amendment
Which Enlightenment thinker influenced the Founders with ideas about natural rights and government by consent?
John Locke
Even though citizens vote for president, what actually elects the president?
The Electoral College
What did the Three-Fifths Compromise address?
How enslaved people would be counted for purposes of representation and taxation.
What is the process by which the Constitution can be changed called?
The amendment process.
Which amendment granted women the right to vote?
Nineteenth Amendment
Which Enlightenment thinker influenced the Founders' idea of separation of powers?
Montesquieu
Which branch of government has the power to declare war?
The Legislative Branch (Congress)
Why were separation of powers and checks and balances included in the Constitution?
To prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful and to prevent tyranny/monarchy.