History
Basic Principles
Changes to the Constitution
100

The people who wrote the Constitution are known as this.

Who are the Framers?

100

This principle states that government can govern only with the consent of the governed.

What is Popular Sovereignty?

100

These are the amendments which guarantee basic freedoms for the American people.

What are the Bill of Rights?

200

These compromises had the effect of uniting the Northern and Southern states politically and economically while also avoiding the question of slavery.

The 3/5ths Compromise and the Commerce and Slave Trade Compromise

200

This principles states that government only has what powers are expressly given to it by the Constitution and laws.

What are limited government or constitutionality?

200

The participation of both the Federal Government and State governments in the amendment process is evidence of this constitutional principle?

What is federalism?
300

This document, signed in 1215, was the first written document limiting the powers of the English government by imposing due process, trial by jury, and the right to private property.

What is the Magna Carta?

300

The presidential veto and Senatorial review of appointees are examples of this constitutional principle.

What is Check and Balances?

300

The fact that much of the U.S. government is based in political parties is a result of what type of constitutional change?

What is informal change?
400

In an attempt to form a less powerful government, the Articles of Confederation did not give its Congress this important economic power.

What is the power to regulate foreign and interstate commerce?

400

The division of powers of government into three distinct branches.

What is separation of powers?

400

George Washington created this unofficial custom which influenced presidents until after World War 2

What is the two term presidential limit?

500

The agreement that, in Congress, States would be represented equally in the Senate and by population in the House.

What is the Connecticut Compromise?

500

The process by which the court system investigates governmental action and decides whether it is constitutional or unconstitutional.

What is judicial review?

500

This is the process most commonly used to amend the Constitution.

Proposed by 2/3 vote of Congress then ratified by 3/4 of the State legislatures