Bill of Rights
Principles of Constitution
Theoretical Perspectives
Constitutional Convention
Amendments
100
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
What is the first amendment
100
a political system in which branches of government have some authority over the actions of the others.
What is checks and balances
100
a form of government that places ultimate political authority in the hands of the people. Democratic theory has two basic models:
What is democracy
the 81-year-old delegate from Pennsylvania, a strong proponent of liberty and equality - proposed that all white males have the right to vote, but most delegates believed that only property owners should have the franchise100
the process which gives the courts the power to declare statutes unconstitutional and interpret the Constitution when disputes arise, without formally making an amendment
What is judicial review
200
No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation
What is the fifth amendment
200
the division of governmental powers between a central government and the states.
What is federalism
200
the argument that representative democracies are based on group interests that protect the individuals interests by representing him or her to the government.
What is the pularlist theory
200
called for a strong central government, proposed by James Randolph and was the work of James Madison; called for a a bicameral legislature
What is the Virginia plan
200
Amendments may be proposed by a 2/3 vote of each house of Congress and ratified by at least this fraction of the state legislatures
What is 3/4
300
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
What is the eight amendment
300
the division of governmentâs powers into three separate branches: executive, legislative, and judicial
What is seperation of powers
300
holds that a representative democracy is not really based on the will of the people, but that there is a relatively small, cohesive elite class that makes almost all the important decisions for the nation
What is the elitist theory
300
presented by William Paterson, did not argue with the need for a stronger central government, giving Congress the right to tax, regulate, and coerce states. The legislature would be unicameral, and each state would have the same vote. The delegates from small states were determined that the new legislature would not be dominated by the large states, and the debate between large and small states deadlocked the Convention. Finally, a committee was elected to devise a compromise, which they presented on July 5.
What is the New Jersey Plan
300
the two forms of constitutional amendments
What are formal and informal
400
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.
What is the tenth amendment
400
the basic principle that government is not all-powerful, and that it does only those things that citizens allow it to do
What is limited government
400
In this form of democracy, citizens debate and vote directly on all laws; requires a high level of participation, and is based on a high degree of confidence in the judgment of ordinary people
What is direct democracy
400
called for one house in which each state would have an equal vote (The Senate) and a second house (The House of Representatives) in which representation would be based on population
What is the Connecticut Compromise/Great Compromise
400
amendments may be proposed by a national constitutional convention requested by at least this fraction of state legislatures and ratified by at least 3/4 of the state legislatures.
What is 2/3
500
No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.
What is the third amendment
500
the basic principle that the power to govern belongs to the people and that government must be based on the consent of the governed.
What is popular sovereignty
500
people hold the ultimate power through the election process, but all policy decisions are made by elected officials or those that they appoint; also known as a a republic
What is indirect democracy
500
The number of states that attended the convention
What is thirteen
500
this amendment repealed prohibition; congress believed the state legislatures wouldn't vote for it
What is the 21st amendment