Unconventional Times
This 1786-87 armed insurrection in Massachusetts led many in the newly established American republic to wonder if a stronger national government would be necessary for maintaining "domestic tranquility."
What is Shays' Rebellion?
The executive Power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America.
What is Article 2? (Section 1: Vesting clause)
"a well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State..."
What is the 2nd Amendment?
This was the number of votes granted to each state in the Confederation Congress.
What is one?
The Declaration of Independence speaks of governments as "deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed," invoking this key idea that is a staple of political liberalism.
What is popular sovereignty?
The "Great" or "Connecticut" Compromise reconciled two "plans" associated with these two states.
What are Virginia and New Jersey?
"All Bills for raising Revenue shall originate..."
What is Article 1? (Section 7: "Origination clause")
"Excessive bail shall not be required"
What is the 8th Amendment?
Under the Articles of Confederation, unanimous consent was required to do this.
What is amend the Articles of Confederation?
Thirteenth century document that included language granting rights to free men, although this referred primarily to property owners and excluded the majority of adults in Britain at the time.
What is the Magna Carta?
This "ism" word, from the Latin for "two chambers," refers to the Constitution's approach to disagreements between those who wanted proportional representation in the legislature and those who wanted each state to have an equal number of votes.
What is bicameralism?
"The Privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in Cases of Rebellion or Invasion the public Safety may require it."
What is Article 1? (Section 9: "Suspension Clause")
The 1st Amendment states that Congress "shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof" and also enumerates these four rights and freedoms.
What are freedom of speech, freedom of the press, the right to peaceably assemble, and the right to petition the government for redress of grievances.
This was the length of each delegate's term under the Articles of Confederation.
What is one year?
This document is widely considered the first written blueprint for American self-government, even though it was likely prompted less by democratic ideals than by a shipboard power struggle.
What is the Mayflower Compact?
Rather than prescribing a nation-wide popular vote, the Constitutional Convention created this institution to elect the American president.
What is the Electoral College?
"shall hold their Offices during good Behaviour, and shall, at stated Times, receive for their Services, a Compensation, which shall not be diminished during their Continuance in Office"
What is Article 3? (Section 1: "Good Behavior Clause")
"The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed..."
What is the 9th Amendment?
Under the Articles of Confederation, Congress had no power to tax. Instead, it could do this.
What is spend money and then requisition funds from the states?
One of the most memorable phrases in the Declaration of Independence is a slight alteration of one of John Locke's most memorable phrases, composed of these three abstract nouns.
What are life, liberty, and property?
The dates (months and year) during which the Constitutional Convention convened.
May through September, 1787.
"when ratified by the Legislatures of three fourths of the several States, or by Conventions in three fourths thereof..."
What is Article 5?
"In Suits at common law..."
What is the 7th Amendment?
According to the exact language of the Articles of Confederation, the 13 states entered into a "firm league" of this.
What is friendship?
Philosopher famous for his bleak view of humanity’s capacity to live peacefully in the absence of authority.
Who is Thomas Hobbes?