Articles of Weakness
This was the first plan of government for the United States, established after the Declaration of Independence.
What are the Articles of Confederation?
The city where the Constitutional Convention took place in May 1787.
What is Philadelphia?
The branch of the new government that is responsible for making the laws.
What is the Legislative Branch?
This group of people demanded that a list of basic rights be added to the Constitution before they would support its ratification.
Who are the Anti-Federalists?
The central government under the Articles was considered this—a problem dramatically exposed by Shay's Rebellion.
What is too weak?
This delegate is known as the "Father of the Constitution" due to his preparation and detailed notes.
Who is James Madison?
The idea that the government's authority comes from the people, often summarized as "We the People."
What is Popular Sovereignty?
This Amendment protects the five freedoms of Religion, Assembly, Press, Petition, and Speech (R.A.P.P.S.).
What is the First Amendment?
This was the only branch of government that existed under the Articles of Confederation.
What is the Legislative Branch (or Congress)?
This plan favored large states by proposing that representation in Congress be based on a state's population.
What is the Virginia Plan?
This principle involves the sharing of power between the national (federal) government and the state governments.
What is Federalism?
This Amendment guarantees the right to a speedy and public trial and the right to a lawyer.
What is the Sixth Amendment?
This weakness of the national government under the Articles meant it couldn't raise enough money to pay debts or maintain order.
What is the power to tax?
This agreement resolved the debate over representation by creating a bicameral Congress with the House based on population and the Senate based on equal representation.
What is the Great Compromise?
The system where each branch of government can limit the power of the other two branches, ensuring no single branch becomes too powerful.
What is Checks and Balances?
This Amendment protects citizens from unreasonable search and seizure and requires a warrant based on probable cause.
What is the Fourth Amendment?
This uprising of Massachusetts farmers, who closed down courthouses, finally convinced leaders that the Articles needed replacing.
What is Shay's Rebellion?
This compromise determined that each enslaved person would count as this fraction of a person for purposes of taxation and representation.
What is three-fifths (3/5)?
The process that allows the Judicial Branch to declare a law or presidential action unconstitutional.
What is Judicial Review?
This Amendment states that any powers not specifically given to the federal government belong to the states or to the people.
What is the Tenth Amendment?