Foundational Documents
What was the main purpose of the Declaration of Independence?
To establish the 13 colonies as an independent nation from England
What compromise created a bicameral legislature in the U.S. Constitution?
The "Great" Connecticut Compromise
What is the principal of limited government?
A government is limited in its power (not absolute)
What is the power sharing of the state and federal governments called?
Federalism
Which document outlines the structure of the U.S. government?
U.S. Constituion
How did the Three-Fifths Compromise affect representation in Congress?
It made southern states with high black/slave populations count them as 3/5ths of a person, affecting how many representatives they recieved.
What are natural rights?
Rights people are born with that no person or government can take away.
Explain the difference between enumerated and implies powers.
Enumerated: Written directly in the Constitution
Implied: Not directly written in the constitution
Federalist #10 argues that strong central government is best equipped to deal with what?
Factions
Who wanted the Constitution to be passed as is, arguing the country needed a strong central government after witnissing the failures of the Articles fo Confederation?
Federalists
What is a social contract?
An agreement among people in a society to give up freedoms to maintain order
What Amendment supports state powers?
10th Amendment
How does Federalist #51 argue government should be structured?
With a seperation of powers (3 branches), that can check and balance each other.
Who did not want the constition to be passed, arguing it gave the central government too much power?
Anti-Federalists
Define "Popular Soveriengty"
The governemnt's power comes from the people
What is the Supreme Clause?
A clause that states federal law is the supreme law of the land.
What does Brutus #1 warn of?
A strong central govenrmnet having too much power, eventually leading to tryanny.
What compromise did the Federalists and Anti-Federalists come to?
A Bill of Rights would be added to the Constitution, to ensure the government was never able to take away people's rights.
What is Republicanism?
Citizens need to particpate in their democracy in order to sustain it
What is the Necessary and Proper Clause?
A clause of the Constitution that states congress can make any law that is Necessary and Proper in carrying out their enumerated duties