Principles
Each branch of government can limit the powers of the other branches.
Checks & Balances
Addition to the Constitution that would spell out and protect basic rights.
Bill of Rights
No cruel or unusual punishment or excessive bail or fines.
8th Amendment
Changes to the Constitution
The Amendments
DAILY DOUBLE: Term for a person who wanted to end slavery.
Abolitionist
DAILY DOUBLE: A system in which power is divided between the national and state governments.
Federalism
Group of people that opposed the Constitution and a strong national government.
Federalists
- Right to know the charges against you.
- Right to a speedy and public trial.
- Right to a fair and impartial jury.
- You have a right to question a witness against you or make a witness testify that may help your case.
- You have a right to a lawyer even if you can't afford one.
6th Amendment
Explain at least two weaknesses of the Articles of the Constitution.
No executive, no judicial, no power to tax, no power to regulate trade.
Anti-Slavery Republican elected to the presidency in 1860.
Abraham Lincoln
Powers of the government are defined and limited by the Constitution.
Limited Government
DAILY DOUBLE: Law that governed how territories could become states
Northwest Ordinance
Due Process
- Government cannot take your life, liberty or property without a fair legal proceeding.
- You cannot be forced to testify against yourself.
5th Amendment
Introduction of the Constitution. Outlines the objectives of the document.
The Preamble
DAILY DOUBLE: Supreme Court Case that declared slaves were not viewed as citizens but as property, so they had no rights.
Dred Scott Decision
A government in which the people rule by their own consent.
Popular Sovereignty
Agreement that each slave counted as three-fifths of a person in determining representation in the House and for taxation purposes.
Three-Fifths Compromise
DAILY DOUBLE: Individual rights
9th Amendment
Who is considered the "father of the Constitution"?
James Madison
DAILY DOUBLE: The term for allowing citizens to decide whether or not to allow slavery.
Popular Sovereignty
People elect representatives that serve at the will of the people.
Popular Sovereignty, Limited Government, Republicanism, Federalism, Checks and Balances
Republicanism
Created a two-house legislature where states would have equal representation in the Senate, and representation by population in the House.
The Great Compromise
States rights
10th Amendment
DAILY DOUBLE: What is the purpose of the 1st 3 Articles of the Constitution?
Define the powers of each branch of government.
DAILY DOUBLE: Term used when there is a formal withdrawal of states or regions from a nation.
Secession