Principles of Democracy
The people elect officials to make laws and represent their views and concerns in government.
What is a representative democracy or republicanism?
First 10 amendments to the US Constitution
What is the Bill of Rights?
the people hold the power, either directly or through elected representatives
What is a democracy?
the year our current constitution was adopted
What is 1789?
Minimum age to become an elected representative in the lower house of Congress
What is 25 years old?
Each branch of government has powers to limit, the actions of the other two, preventing any one branch from becoming too dominant
What are checks and balances?
Announced the separation of the 13 colonies from Great Britain
What is the Declaration of Independence?
firm "league of friendship" between the 13 sovereign states
What is a confederacy?
Article I outlines the powers given to this branch of government
What is the legislative branch?
a two-house system of government that consists of a lower house and an upper house to ensure deliberation, checks and balances, and a separation of powers
What is a bicameral legislature?
American democracy holds that ALL people are created with certain "unalienable rights" like life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
What is equality?
A series of essays written to promote the ratification of the Constitution. Key authors include Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay.
What are the Federalist Papers?
One person with unlimited political power
What is autocracy, authoritarian gov't, or dictatorship?
also known as the Great Compromise, created a two-house legislature with different representation for each house
What is the Connecticut Compromise?
6 years
What is the term of a US Senator?
Everyone, including leaders and the government itself, must obey the law. The U.S. Constitution is the supreme law of the land, and no person or group is above it.
What is the Rule of Law?
the first constitution of the United States, establishing a weak central government and a loose confederation of sovereign states
What are the Articles of Confederation?
a small group holds all political power
What is an oligarchy?
Held in Philadelphia 1787 to address the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation; ultimately led to the creation of a stronger federal government.
What is the Constitutional Convention?
votes needed by Congress to override a President's veto
What is 2/3 vote of each House of Congress?
The government's power comes from the people, as articulated in the Constitution's opening words, "We the People". Citizens shape the government and its policies through participation and elections.
What is popular sovereignty?
Written by George Mason in Virginia 1776 it established inherent rights such as life, liberty, and property. It served as a model for the U.S. Bill of Rights and the Declaration of Independence
What is the Virginia Declaration of Rights?
powers divided between a central government and local governments
What is a federalism or federal gov't?
an agreement where three out of every five enslaved people were counted for purposes of determining a state's total population
What is the Three Fifths Compromise?
next step after Introduction of bill in Congress
What is assigned to Standing Committee?