Birth of America
This 1776 document lists grievances against King George III and asserts the colonies' right to self-government.
Declaration of Independence
Under the Articles, which body held most of the authority?
The States
Which constitutional principle divides government into legislative, executive, and judicial branches to prevent concentration of power?
Separation of Powers
Supporters of the new Constitution who favored a stronger national government and wrote essays promoting ratification.
Federalists
Powers granted specifically to the national government in the Constitution; examples include coining money and declaring war.
Enumerated Powers
This series of punitive laws passed by Parliament in 1774 closed Boston Harbor and increased royal control over Massachusetts
Intolerable Acts
Under the Articles, this branch of government was effectively the only national institution with representation from each state
Continental Congress
Identify the compromise that settled disputes between large and small states by creating a bicameral legislature.
Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise)
The compromise between Federalists and Anti-Federalists that secured ratification by promising this set of protections.
Bill of Rights
Powers assigned to the states alone, per the Constitution and later amendment practice.
Reserved Powers
Whose ideas about natural rights and social contract strongly influenced the Declaration of Independence.
John Locke
How did the Articles handled issues of Congress taxing the states?
The national government could request funds but not levy taxes.
Which clause establishes that federal law takes precedence over conflicting state laws?
Supremacy Clause
Who wanted to be sure that protection of individual rights and liberties were established in the Constitution?
Anti-Federalists
Powers held by both state and federal governments, such as taxation and law enforcement.
Concurrent Powers
The phrase that sums up authority coming from the people, used in revolutionary rhetoric and later embedded in the Constitution’s opening words
Popular sovereignty
How many states were required to amend the the Articles of Confederation?
The clause allowing Congress to pass laws necessary to carry out its expressed powers.
Necessary and Proper Clause (Elastic Clause)
A collection of essays written to defend the Constitution, including contributions by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay.
Federalist Papers
Powers not explicitly written in the Constitution but inferred as necessary for carrying out enumerated powers; often justified by the Necessary and Proper Clause.
Implied Powers
Which event in 1773 protested the Tea Act and escalated tensions leading to punitive British measures?
Boston Tea Party
The economic and political unrest of the 1780s culminated in this 1786–1787 armed uprising by indebted Massachusetts farmers
Shays' Rebellion
The agreement that determined how enslaved people would be counted for representation and taxation purposes during the Constitutional Convention.
Three-Fifths Compromise
Federalist paper that explained how the separation of powers between the branches would prevent any of them from becoming too powerful.
Federalist 51
This clause gives the federal government authority to regulate interstate trade and was a major source of expanded federal power.
Commerce Clause