The Constitutional Convention
This city hosted the Constitutional Convention in 1787.
What is Philadelphia?
This branch of government is responsible for making laws.
What is the Legislative Branch?
This amendment guarantees freedom of speech, press, religion, assembly, and petition.
What is the First Amendment?
The series of essays written to support the ratification of the Constitution.
What are the Federalist Papers?
He served as the presiding officer of the Constitutional Convention.
Who is George Washington?
he principle that divides power among three branches of government.
What is separation of powers?
This man is known as the "Father of the Constitution" for his key role in drafting and promoting the document.
Who is James Madison?
The system of dividing power between a central government and state governments.
What is federalism?
The amendment that protects citizens from unreasonable searches and seizures.
What is the Fourth Amendment?
This group opposed the ratification of the Constitution, fearing a strong central government.
Who are the Anti-Federalists?
This delegate from Virginia wrote the Virginia Declaration of Rights, which influenced the Bill of Rights.
Who is George Mason?
The opening line of the Constitution that begins with these three famous words.
What is "We the People?"
The delegates met to revise this document but ended up creating a new Constitution instead.
What is the Articles of Confederation?
The part of government that interprets laws and can declare them unconstitutional.
What is the Judicial Branch?
This amendment gives the right to a fair and speedy trial.
What is the Sixth Amendment?
The first state to ratify the Constitution.
What is Delaware?
This delegate is credited with writing the Preamble to the Constitution.
Who is Gouverneur Morris?
The principle that states the government derives its power from the consent of the governed.
What is popular sovereignty?
The plan that proposed a bicameral legislature with representation based on state population.
What is the Virginia Plan?
The highest court in the United States, established by the Constitution.
What is the Supreme Court?
The amendment that reserves powers not delegated to the federal government for the states or the people.
What is the Tenth Amendment?
This group’s support of the Bill of Rights helped secure the ratification of the Constitution.
Who are the Federalists?
This delegate’s notes from the Constitutional Convention provide the most detailed record of its proceedings.
Who is James Madison?
This principle allows courts to review and invalidate government actions that violate the Constitution.
What is judicial review?
This agreement at the Convention settled the dispute over how enslaved people would be counted for representation.
What is the Three-Fifths Compromise?
This system prevents any one branch of government from becoming too powerful.
What are checks and balances?
This amendment prohibits excessive bail and cruel and unusual punishment.
What is the Eighth Amendment?
The Constitutional Convention required this number of states to ratify the Constitution.
What is nine?
This prominent statesman initially opposed the Constitution but later helped draft the Bill of Rights.
Who is Thomas Jefferson?
The process by which the Constitution can be changed or updated.