Articles & Convention
This nation's first governing document gave most governing power to the states.
What are the Articles of Confederation?
This 1215 English document influenced the American principle of due process.
What is the Magna Carta?
This branch of the federal government makes laws and declares war.
What is the legislative branch (Congress)?
This group supported ratifying the Constitution and a stronger national government.
Who are the Federalists?
These first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution protect individual liberties.
What is the Bill of Rights?
Under the Articles of Confederation, Congress lacked the power to collect this directly from citizens.
What are taxes?
This 1620 agreement established a form of self-government based on the consent of the governed.
What is the Mayflower Compact?
This branch enforces laws, and its leader serves as commander in chief.
What is the executive branch?
This group opposed ratification without stronger protections for individual liberties.
ho are the Anti-Federalists?
This amendment protects freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition.
What is the First Amendment?
This compromise created a two-house Congress to settle disagreements between large and small states.
What is the Great Compromise?
This founding document lists colonial grievances against King George III.
What is the Declaration of Independence?
This constitutional principle divides authority between national and state governments.
What is federalism?
These essays defended the proposed Constitution and argued for its ratification.
What are the Federalist Papers?
This amendment prohibits cruel and unusual punishment and excessive bail or fines.
What is the Eighth Amendment?
This compromise counted three-fifths of the enslaved population for representation and direct taxation.
What is the Three-Fifths Compromise?
This English document influenced protections against cruel punishments and abuses of government power.
What is the English Bill of Rights?
The president vetoes a bill passed by Congress. This illustrates which constitutional principle?
What are checks and balances?
Patrick Henry and George Mason feared that the proposed Constitution gave too much power to this level of government.
What is the national (central or federal) government?
This amendment prohibits cruel and unusual punishment and excessive bail or fines.
What is the Eighth Amendment?
A large state wants representation based on population, but a small state wants equal representation. Explain how both interests were addressed.
What is the Great Compromise, creating a House based on population and a Senate with equal representation for each state?
Colonists complained that the king denied them jury trials. Identify a constitutional amendment that addressed this grievance.
What is the Sixth Amendment, which guarantees an impartial jury in criminal prosecutions?
The Supreme Court determines that a law violates the Constitution. Identify the power being exercised and the branch responsible.
What is judicial review, exercised by the judicial branch?
During the ratification debate, one group wants a stronger central government and another demands explicit protections for individual freedoms. What addition helped resolve this disagreement?
What is the Bill of Rights?
A person accused of a crime demands a speedy, public trial and an impartial jury. This amendment protects those rights.
What is the Sixth Amendment?