Influential Ideas
This ancient civilization gave us the idea of a Republic and representative government.
What is Rome?
This was the first document to limit the power of a king.
What is the Magna Carta?
The country the American colonists declared independence from.
What is Great Britain?
This was the first constitution of the United States.
What are the Articles of Confederation (AOC)?
This branch of government is responsible for making laws.
What is the Legislative Branch?
The idea that all people are born with rights like life, liberty, and property.
What are natural rights?
The Pilgrims created this document to establish their own form of self-government.
What is the Mayflower Compact?
Many colonists were upset about being taxed without this.
What is representation? (or a voice in government)
A major weakness of the AOC was that it created this kind of central government.
What is a weak central government?
The President of the United States is the head of this branch.
What is the Executive Branch?
This Enlightenment thinker argued for a separation of powers to keep government from becoming too powerful.
Who is Montesquieu?
This document guaranteed protections like the right to a trial by jury and freedom from cruel and unusual punishment.
What is the English Bill of Rights?
The Declaration of Independence argued that when a government abuses its power, the people have the right to do this.
What is alter (Change) or abolish (Get rid of) it?
Supporters of the new Constitution, like Alexander Hamilton and James Madison, were known by this name.
Who are the Federalists?
The system that allows each branch to limit the powers of the other two branches.
What are checks and balances?
An agreement among people to set up a government and obey its laws.
What is a social contract?
Thomas Paine wrote this pamphlet to convince colonists to break away from Great Britain.
What is Common Sense?
This grievance, listed in the Declaration of Independence, protested against the British policy of forcing colonists to provide lodging and supplies for soldiers.
What is the Quartering of troops?
This group was against the new Constitution because they feared a strong central government and wanted a Bill of Rights.
Who are the Anti-Federalists?
This article of the Constitution describes the process for making changes or additions to it.
What is Article V?
Justice, Individual worth, ethics, and personal responsibility
What are Judeo-Christian traditions?
The Mayflower Compact and Common Sense both promoted this core concept of American government.
What is self-government?
This official document listed the colonists' grievances, such as "imposing Taxes on us without our Consent."
What is the Declaration of Independence?
Document created to replace the AOC.
What is the U.S Constitution?
The process of formally approving the Constitution, which required the support of 9 out of 13 states.
What is ratification?