Vocab
An addition or change to a constitution
What is an amendment?
This is the total number of amendments to the U.S. Constitution
What is 27?
This famous Virginian worked on the Virginia and U.S. Constitutions. He is regarded as the "father of the Constitution"
Who is James Madison?
The people are the source of any and all governmental power
What is the consent of the governed?
This early document guaranteed the rights of Englishmen to the colonists.
To approve or sanction formally
What is to ratify?
This is the name given to the first ten (10) amendments to the U.S. Constitution
What is the Bill of Rights?
The first Virginia Constitution was enacted this year (the same year the Declaration of Independence was signed)
What is 1776?
Government is not all-powerful and may do only those things the people have given it the power to do.
What is limited government?
This document served as a model for the Bill of Rights of the Constitution of the United States of America.
What is the Virginia Declaration of Rights?
To put forward for consideration or discussion by others
What is a proposal (or to propose)?
They are responsible for proposing amendments to the U.S. Constitution
What is the Congress?
They are responsible for proposing amendments to the Virginia Constitution
What is the General Assembly?
The government and those who govern are bound by the law, as are those who are governed. No one is above the law.
What is the rule of law?
This document stated freedom of religious beliefs and opinions; also stated the idea that church and state should be separate.
What is the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom?
A statement of the basic principles and laws of a nation that determine the powers and duties of the government
What is a (the) constitution?
They are responsible for ratifying the amendments to the U.S. Constitution
What are the states?
They are responsible for ratifying the amendment to the Virginia Constitution
Who are the voters of Virginia?
In this system of government, the people rule.
What is a democracy?
This document affirmed “certain unalienable rights” (life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness) established the idea that all people are equal under the law.
What is the Declaration of Independence?
The amendment process is known to be purposefully difficult and complicated. Another word for this is...
What is complex?
Ratification must happen by this margin (what %?)in order for a proposed amendment to be added to the U.S. Constitution
What is 75%?
Ratification must happen by this margin (what %?)in order for a proposed amendment to be added to the Virginia Constitution
What is 51%?
In this system of government, the people elect public officeholders to make laws and conduct government on the people’s behalf.
What is a representative government?
This document created weak central government (e.g., no power to tax or enforce laws); led to the writing of the Constitution of the United States of America.
What are the Articles of the Confederation?