The Constitution
The first ten amendments collectively known as this.
Bill of Rights
This amendment granted women the right to vote in the United States.
19th
The number of U.S. Senators each state receives.
Two
The first written government of the United States before the Constitution.
Articles of Confederation
The idea that government receives its power from the people.
Popular Sovereignty
The introduction to the Constitution that outlines its goals.
Preamble
This amendment protects citizens from unreasonable searches and seizures.
4th
The Legislative Branch of the U.S. government is commonly called this.
Congress
The group that favored the Constitution and wanted a strong national government.
Federalist
The principle that prevents any one branch from becoming too powerful by allowing each branch to limit the others.
Checks and Balances
The Constitutional principle that divides power between national and state governments.
Federalism
This amendment states that powers not delegated to the national government are reserved to the states or the people.
10th
This power allows Congress to override a presidential veto.
Two-thirds vote in both chambers
The compromise that created a bicameral legislature with one house based on population and the other with equal representation.
The Great Compromise
This term describes powers shared by both federal and state governments.
Concurrent Powers
This clause in Article VI declares that federal law is above state law.
Supremacy Clause
This amendment reorganized the electoral process by requiring separate ballots for President and Vice President.
12th
This type of committee works out differences between House and Senate versions of a bill.
Conference Committee
This event showed the weaknesses of the Articles and convinced leaders a stronger government was needed.
Shays' Rebellion
Father of the Constitution
James Madison
This plan proposed at the Constitutional Convention favored large states with representation based on population.
Virginia Plan
This amendment prevents members of Congress from giving themselves a pay raise that takes effect before the next election.
27th
This clause gives Congress the power to make laws “necessary and proper” to carrying out its expressed powers
Elastic (Necessary and Proper) Clause
This compromise counted enslaved individuals as part of the population for representation and taxation.
Three / Fifths Compromise
This procedure, outlined in Article V, allows constitutional changes either through congressional proposal or a national convention, followed by ratification from the states.
Amendment Process