7 Principles of the Constitution
This principle divides power between the Federal (National) government and the State governments.
What is Federalism?
This amendment protects five freedoms: Religion, Assembly, Press, Petition, and Speech.
What is the 1st Amendment?
This plan favored large states by proposing that representation be based on a state's population.
What is the Virginia Plan?
This group supported a strong national government and the ratification of the Constitution.
Who were the Federalists?
To propose a new amendment, this fraction of both houses of Congress must vote "Yes."
What is two-thirds (2/3)?
This principle ensures that we elect representatives to make laws and govern.
What is Republicanism?
This amendment protects citizens from "unreasonable searches and seizures."
What is the 4th Amendment?
This plan favored small states by proposing that each state get an equal number of votes.
What is the New Jersey Plan?
This group feared a strong central government and refused to sign the Constitution without a Bill of Rights.
Who were the Anti-Federalists?
The 3rd Amendment, which forbids quartering soldiers, was a direct response to this grievance in the Declaration of Independence.
What is the Quartering Act?
This principle allows each branch of government to limit the power of the other two so no one becomes too powerful.
What are Checks and Balances?
This amendment protects you from "cruel and unusual punishment" and excessive bail.
What is the 8th Amendment?
This agreement created a two-house (bicameral) legislature with a Senate (equal) and a House (population).
What is the Great Compromise?
These two men were the leading voices of the Anti-Federalists (one from Virginia, one from the Revolution).
Who were George Mason and Patrick Henry?
Before an amendment becomes law, it must be ratified by this fraction of the State legislatures.
What is three-fourths (3/4)?
This principle states that the government only has the powers granted to it by the Constitution.
What is Limited Government?
This amendment ensures the right to a speedy public trial by a jury in criminal cases.
What is the 6th Amendment?
This agreement settled the dispute over how enslaved people would be counted for representation and taxation.
What is the Three-Fifths Compromise?
These essays were written by Madison, Hamilton, and Jay to convince Americans to support the new Constitution.
What are the Federalist Papers?
This weak document was the "first" constitution that lacked the power to tax or draft an army.
What were the Articles of Confederation?
This principle, famously supported by Baron de Montesquieu, divides the government into Legislative, Executive, and Judicial branches.
What is Separation of Powers?
This amendment states that any powers not given to the Federal government belong to the States or the People.
What is the 10th Amendment?
This year is when the U.S. Constitution was written in Philadelphia.
What is 1787?
Anti-Federalists argued that this specific "necessary and proper" clause gave the government too much power.
What is the Elastic Clause?
This 1786 uprising of Massachusetts farmers proved that the Articles of Confederation were too weak to keep order.
What was Shays' Rebellion?