Fundamental Principles
This principle states that the people are the source of any and all governmental power.
What is consent of the governed OR Popular Sovereignty?
This 1215 English document established for the first time that the king was not above the law.
What is the Magna Carta?
The Articles of Confederation established the first national government for which newly indpendent nation.
What is the United States of America?
The Preamble opens with these famous three words, showing that the power of government comes from the citizens.
What is "We the People"?
An action that changes or adds to the Constitution is known by this term.
What is an amendment?
In this form of government, the people elect public officials to make laws and conduct government on their behalf.
What is representative government?
Drafted by Thomas Jefferson, this document stated that colonies were declaring independence from Great Britain and affirmed "unalienable rights" - like life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
What is the Declaration of Independence?
Because Americans feared tyranny, the Articles created a national government that was intentionally this way.
What is a weak central/national government?
This goal listed in the Preamble means establishing fairness, equality, and a system of laws for all citizens.
What is "establish justice"?
This body of national government proposes amendment to the U.S. Constitution with a 2/3 vote.
What is Congress?
This principle means that government is not all-powerful and may only do those things the people have given it the power to do.
What is limited government?
Written by George Mason, this Virginia document served as a model for the Bill of Rights added to the U.S. Constitution.
What is the Virginia Declaration of Rights?
Under the Articles, the national government lacked the power to collect these, making it difficult to raise money.
What are taxes?
When the government protects the nation from foreign enemies, it is fulfilling this purpose stated in the Preamble.
What is "provide for the common defense"?
To ratify a proposed U.S. Constitutional amendment, this fraction of the states must approve it.
What is three-fourths? (3/4)
According to this fundamental principle, everyone - including government officials - must follow the law.
What is rule of law?
This 1607 document guaranteed that English colonists in North America would enjoy the rights of Englishmen.
What is the Charters of the Virginia Company of London?
The Articles of Confederation had only one branch of government, which was this law-making body.
What is a legislature (or Congress)?
Keeping peace within the nation's borders aligns with this Preamble phrase.
What is "insure domestic tranquility"?
Amendments to the Virginia State Constitution are proposed by this legislative body in Richmond.
What is the General Assembly?
In a system based on this principle, the majority rules, but the rights of the minority are protected.
What is democracy?
Thomas Jefferson wrote this document which guaranteed freedom of religious beliefs and opinions in Virginia.
What is the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom?
Weaknesses in the Articles of Confederation directly led to the writing of this supreme law of the land in 1787.
What is the U.S. Constitution?
Promoting the well-being of all citizens (such as supporting education or public health) matches this purpose in the Preamble.
What is "promote the general welfare"?
Unlike the federal process, a proposed amendment to Virginia's Constitution must be ratified by these people in an election.
Who are the voters of Virginia?