Pre-Constitution
This 1776 document argues that governments derive their power from the consent of the governed and that people may overthrow a tyrannical government.
What is the Declaration of Independence?
This article establishes the powers and structure of the legislative branch, including the House and Senate.
What is Article I?
This clause in Article VI establishes that federal law takes precedence over state laws.
What is the Supremacy Clause?
This foundational document, drafted in 1787, begins with the words, "we the people."
What is the US Constitution?
This democratic principle holds that government gets its authority from the people it governs.
What is popular sovereignty?
This early governing framework created a weak national government that lacked the power to tax, regulate commerce, or enforce laws.
What are the Articles of Confederation?
This branch of government, created by Article III, interprets the laws.
What is the Judicial Branch?
These federal grants give states money for broad policy areas with fewer restrictions, increasing state flexibility.
What are Block Grants?
In this Federalist Paper, Madison argues that a large republic is the best defense against the dangers of factions.
What is Federalist 10?
This principle ensures that no single branch of government becomes too powerful by giving each branch tools to limit the others.
What is Checks and Balances?
This man wrote the largest share of the Federalist Papers, authoring 51 of the 85 essays.
Who is Alexander Hamilton?
This set of the first ten amendments guarantees individual liberties such as free speech and due process
This landmark Supreme Court case established the principles of implied powers and national supremacy.
What is McCulloch v. Maryland?
This Anti‑Federalist writing warns that a strong central government could become tyrannical without adequate protections for individual rights.
Who is Brutus?
This model of democracy emphasizes broad, direct participation in politics by regular citizens.
What is participatory democracy?
This group opposed the new Constitution, fearing centralized power and demanding stronger protections for individual rights.
Who were the Anti-Federalists?
This clause of the Constitution describes how states must respect each other's' laws.
What is the Full Faith and Credit Clause?
This constitutional clause gives Congress the authority to regulate interstate economic activity, expanding federal power.
What is the Commerce Clause?
In this Federalist Paper, Madison explains how the separation of powers and checks and balances prevent any branch from dominating the others.
What is Federalist 51?
This foundational idea, drawn from Enlightenment thinkers, states that individuals are born with inherent rights that governments must protect.
What are Natural Rights?
This event, a 1786–87 uprising of Massachusetts farmers, exposed the inability of the Articles‑era government to maintain order.
What was Shays' Rebellion?
This compromise created a bicameral legislature with proportional representation in one chamber and equal representation in the other.
What is the Great (or Connecticut) Compromise?
This type of federalism, often compared to a layer cake, describes a clear division of powers between national and state governments.
What is Dual Federalism?
Federalist No. 78 focuses on the importance of this branch of government, describing it as the "least dangerous branch."
What is the judicial branch?
This democratic principle argues that government power should be restricted, usually through a written constitution, to protect individual freedoms.
What is Limited Government?