Before the Constitution
Federalism
Constitutional Principles
Ratification of the Constitution and Beyond
Theories and Compromises
100

Group that opposed the ratification of the constitution

Who are the anti-federalists

100

This amendment to the United States Constitution reserves powers not delegated to the federal government to the states.

What is the Tenth Amendment?

100

This principle means power is divided among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

What is separation of powers?

100

Federalists argued that a strong national government was necessary primarily to solve the weaknesses of this earlier governing system.

What are the Articles of Confederation?

100
This theory suggests that the wealthiest individuals control policy.
What is the Elite Theory
200

Document that stated the colonists rationale to protect their natural rights by instituting a new government

What is the Declaration of Independence

200

These powers are shared by both the federal and state governments, such as taxing and law enforcement.

What are concurrent powers?

200

This principle allows each branch of government to limit the power of the other branches.

What are checks and balances?

200

Anti-Federalists supported adding a Bill of Rights mainly because they feared this outcome under the new Constitution. a series of essays written in support of ratifying the constitution

What is government abuse of individual liberties / tyranny?

200
resolved the issue of counting slaves into the population for apportionment of seats in the House of Representatives
What is the 3/5 Compromise
300

Document that created strong states governments and a weak, ineffective central government

What is the Articles of Confederation

300

This model of federalism compares the relationship between state and national governments to a “layer cake,” with clear separation of powers.

What is dual federalism? 

300

This principle is shown when the Constitution divides power in a way that prevents any one branch from becoming too powerful.

What is limited government?

300

This weakness of the Articles of Confederation made it difficult for the national government to raise money.

What is the lack of power to tax?

300
A resolution of the New Jersey and Virginia Plans creating a bicameral congress with equal representation in the Senate and apportionment based on population in the House of Representatives
What is the Connecticut "Great" Compromise
400

Exposed the division between rural poor and urban elite, and highlighted the need for a national military

What is Shays' Rebellion

400

This shift in federalism, especially during the New Deal era, expanded national government involvement in areas traditionally controlled by states, blending federal and state responsibilities more closely.  

What is the expansion of cooperative federalism? 

400

This principle limits government power by making it subject to law, not arbitrary authority.

What is rule of law?

400

Compared to the Articles of Confederation, the Constitution’s ratification represented a shift toward this type of government power structure.

What is a stronger national government (federal supremacy over states)?

400

This theory argues that multiple groups compete for influence in government, and policy outcomes reflect bargaining among them.

What is pluralism?

500

This principle, reflected in colonial governments, holds that a government’s authority comes from the consent of the governed.

What is popular sovereignty?

500

This constitutional principle allows the federal government to expand its influence over state policy not through direct regulation, but by attaching conditions to the receipt of federal funds, often leading states to comply with national priorities.

What is fiscal federalism

500

This principle suggests that the Constitution should be interpreted based on its original meaning at the time it was written.

What is originalism or constructionist?

500

Anti-Federalist objections to ratification most directly influenced which long-term constitutional development?

What is the addition of the Bill of Rights (first 10 amendments)?

500
Theory suggests that citizens give consent to be governed
Social Contract Theory