Influencers of Early Government
“This English philosopher’s ideas on natural rights helped inspire the Declaration of Independence.”
Who is John Locke
“Ratified in 1781, this document served as America’s first constitution.”
What are The Articles of Confederation
“This group supported ratifying the Constitution, favoring a strong central government.”
Who are the Federalists?
“This 1787 gathering in Philadelphia was convened to address the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.”
What is the Constitutional Convention?
“These first ten amendments to the Constitution are collectively known by this name.”
What is the Bill of Rights?
“This French political thinker’s work, The Spirit of the Laws, introduced the idea of separation of powers.”
Who is Montesquieu
“Under the Articles, the federal government had no power to impose this, leaving it dependent on state contributions.”
What is taxation
“Opponents of the Constitution argued it gave too much power to the central government and lacked safeguards for individual rights. They are known as these.”
Who are the Anti-Federalists?
“Proposed by James Madison, this plan called for representation in Congress based on state population.”
What is the Virginia Plan?
“Citizens are protected from unreasonable searches and seizures by this amendment.”
What is the Fourth Amendment?
This individual declared that "All Men Are Created Equal," even though it did not apply to people of color or women.
Who is Jean-Jacques Rousseau
“This 1786-87 uprising in Massachusetts underscored the federal government’s inability to maintain public order under the Articles.”
What is Shays’ Rebellion?
“Authored by Hamilton, Madison, and Jay, this series of essays defended the new Constitution.”
What are the Federalist Papers
“This compromise resulted in a bicameral legislature, with proportional representation in one house and equal representation in the other.”
What is the Great Compromise?
“Prohibiting self-incrimination and double jeopardy while ensuring due process, this amendment is central to criminal justice protections.”
What is the Fifth Amendment?
“This polymath and statesman, famous for his wit and diplomacy, provided key guidance during the founding era.”
Who is Benjamin Franklin
“The inability to regulate _____ —both interstate and international—was a major weakness of the Articles of Confederation.”
what is commerce?
“During ratification debates, Anti-Federalists insisted on adding these first ten amendments to protect individual liberties.”
What is the Bill of Rights?
“This controversial compromise determined that slaves would be counted as three-fifths of a person for representation purposes.”
What is the Three-Fifths Compromise?
“These three amendments—thirteenth, fourteenth, and fifteenth—are collectively known by this name, as they were enacted after a major national conflict.”
What are the Reconstruction Amendments?
“Known as the father of modern economics, his concept of the ‘invisible hand’ influenced American ideas about free enterprise and limited government.”
Who is Adam Smith
“Doing this to the Articles of Confederation was nearly impossible because it required unanimous consent from all the states.”
What is Amending
“Writing under a pseudonym, this Anti-Federalist warned that the Constitution could create an aristocratic government.”
Who is Brutus?
“The structure established at the Convention, featuring three branches with checks and balances, prevents any one branch from dominating.”
What is the system of checks and balances (or separation of powers)?
Enshrined in the Fourteenth Amendment, this clause has served as the basis for many landmark civil rights cases in U.S. history.”
What is the Equal Protection Clause?