"We Hold These Truths"
This philosopher’s ideas of "life, liberty, and property" inspired Jefferson’s writing of the Declaration of Independence.
Who is John Locke?
This Enlightenment thinker’s idea of separation of powers influenced the structure of the U.S. Constitution.
Who is Montesquieu?
The Articles of Confederation established this branch as the only branch of government.
What is the legislative branch?
These essays were written to convince states to ratify the U.S. Constitution.
What are The Federalist Papers?
This 1215 document limited the power of the English monarchy and introduced the idea of due process.
What is the Magna Carta?
The Declaration of Independence was written primarily to justify this action.
What is separating from Great Britain?
The Bill of Rights was added to the Constitution primarily to address concerns from this group.
Who were the Anti-Federalists?
One major weakness of the Articles of Confederation was that Congress lacked this key economic power.
What is the power to tax?
Anti-Federalists opposed the Constitution mainly because it lacked this.
What is a Bill of Rights?
This English document influenced the U.S. Constitution by protecting individual freedoms.
What is the English Bill of Rights?
This section of the Declaration lists grievances against King George III.
What is the List of Grievances?
This state’s constitution, written in 1780, heavily influenced the structure of the U.S. Constitution.
What is the Constitution of Massachusetts?
This 1787 law provided a method for territories to become states and banned slavery in new territories.
What is the Northwest Ordinance of 1787?
In Brutus 1, the author warns that this clause of the national government could lead to tyranny.
What is the Necessary and Proper Clause?
This 1776 pamphlet by Thomas Paine argued for immediate independence from Britain.
What is Common Sense?
This phrase in the Declaration of Independence asserts that all people are inherently entitled to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."
What is 'unalienable Rights'?
This constitutional principle, found in Article VI, states that the Constitution and federal laws are the supreme law of the land.
What is the Supremacy Clause?
Under the Articles of Confederation, the federal government lacked the ability to regulate this, leading to economic issues
What is interstate commerce?
Federalists believed this system, dividing power between state and national governments, would prevent tyranny."
What is federalism?
This colonial document, written by George Mason, heavily influenced the Bill of Rights
What is the Virginia Declaration of Rights?
Jefferson’s declaration asserts that governments derive their power from this source.
What is the consent of the governed?
he U.S. Constitution borrowed the idea of a written legal agreement from this early colonial document.
What is the Mayflower Compact?
This event in 1786-87 exposed the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and led to calls for a stronger central government.
What is Shays’ Rebellion?
Federalist Paper No. 10 argued that a large republic would be the best safeguard against this.
What are factions?
This early document was the first governing agreement among the Pilgrims and helped establish self-rule in the colonies.
What is the Mayflower Compact?