Test: We the People - Units 1, 2, & 3

130 terms all about the constitution.

Great Compromise

An agreement reached during the Constitutional Convention that established a two-house legislature, balancing the interests of both large and small states by creating the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Senate

The upper house of the U.S. Congress, consisting of two representatives from each state.

House of Representatives

The lower house of the U.S. Congress, consisting of representatives based on state population.

Abolish

To formally put an end to something.

Slave Trade

The buying and selling of humans for forced labor, primarily associated with the buying of people in Africa and selling them to landowners in the American South.

Three-fifths Clause

A constitutional provision that counted each enslaved person as three-fifths of a person for representation and taxation purposes.

The American Civil War

A conflict between Northern states and Southern states from 1861 to 1865, primarily over issues of slavery and states' rights. It resulted in the preservation of the Union between North and South as well as the abolition of slavery.

Fair

Impartial and just, without favoritism or discrimination.

Equal

Being the same in quantity, size, degree, or value.

Constitutional Convention

Another name for the Philadelphia Convention given by modern-day historians. It was the gathering of delegates in 1787 to draft the Constitution of the United States.

Interests

A specified common concern of a person or group of people.

Federal

In the United States, relating to the national government.

Preamble

The introductory statement of the Constitution that outlines its purposes and guiding principles.

Articles of the Constitution

The sections of the Constitution that detail the framework of government, including the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

Constitutional Amendments

Changes or additions to the U.S. Constitution that modify its original text or laws.

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution, which guarantee individual liberties and protect citizens from tyranny.

Roger Sherman

Founder and architect of the Great Compromise, which helped shape the legislative branch of the U.S. government.

George Washington

1st President of the United States and commander-in-chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolution.

Taxes

Required payments to a government.

Tyranny

Cruel and oppressive government rule.

Slave

A person who is the legal property of another person and is forced to obey them against their will.

Natural Rights

The idea that all humans are born with rights, which include the right to life, liberty, and property.

Consent to be Governed

The idea that government derives its authority from the people it governs.

Social Contract

An agreement between the people and their government signifying their consent to be governed.

Direct Democracy

A form of government in which citizens rule directly and participate in all aspects of government.

Representative Democracy

A system of government in which citizens elect representatives to make decisions and laws for all people.

Constitution

A set of rules and laws that explain how a government is organized and how it will run.

Limit

A point beyond which something cannot go.

Shay’s Rebellion

An armed protest in November 1786 by more than 1000 angry farmers against the state of Massachusetts. It showed the weakness of the Articles of Confederation.

Northwest Ordinance of 1787

A plan for adding new states to the United States. Allowed people in the Northwest Territories to organize their own governments.

Philadelphia Convention

A meeting in 1787 where delegates from twelve U.S. states convened to address the problems of the Articles of Confederation, ultimately leading to the drafting of the U.S. Constitution.

James Madison

A key Framer and the fourth President of the United States, known as the "Father of the Constitution" for his role in drafting the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

Benjamin Franklin

An influential Founder, Framer, inventor, and diplomat. Key in securing French support during the American Revolutionary War and a signer of the Declaration of Independence.

Articles of Confederation

The first plan for government in the United States. Set up a loose union of states with equal powers and a weak national government.

Confederation

A union of sovereign statesthat work together for common goals while maintaining their independence.

Delegate

An individual chosen or elected to represent a group at a convention or conference.

Framer

A delegate involved in drafting the Constitution of the United States at the Philadelphia Convention.

Inalienable

Something, like a person’s natural rights, that cannot be taken away or removed.

Congress

The legislative body of the United States government, consisting of two chambers: the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Revolutionary War

A conflict from 1775 to 1783 in which the Thirteen Colonies fought for independence from British rule.

Blessings of Liberty

Gifts of freedom provided by the Constitution.

Common Defense

The protection of a whole country against foreign attack.

Domestic Tranquility

Maintaining peace within a nation.

Establish

To set up or create something.

General Welfare

The common good or what is good for all people in a nation.

Justice

The enforcement of laws and rules in a country.

Ordain

To establish by law.

Preamble

The introduction to the Constitution.

Balancing Powers

No one branch of government is given so much power that it can completely control the other branches

Three Branches of Government

Legislative, Executive, and Judicial; created to prevent one person from gaining complete control of the government.

Checking Powers

Each branch can stop the other branches from making final decisions or from taking certain actions.

Executive Powers

Powers given to the Executive Branch to carry out and enforce the laws made by Congress

Judicial Powers

Powers given to the courts to settle disagreements about what the laws mean.

Legislative Powers

Powers given to Congress to make the laws for the whole nation.

United States Supreme Court

The highest court in the United States.

Article 1 of the Constitution

The first article of the Constitution. It lists the powers of Congress.

Bill

A proposed law.

Unconstitutional

Not allowed under the constitution.

Veto

Executive power to reject a bill passed by Congress.

Appoint

To choose for an office or position.

Article II of the Constitution

Second article of the Constitution that establishes the executive branch and lists the duties and powers of the president.

Budget

A plan for making and spending money.

Commander in Chief

A term for the president as commander of the nation's armed. forces

Impeach

To formally charge a public official with misconduct in office.

Treaty

A formal agreement between two or more nations.

Appeal

Apply to a higher court for a reversal of the decision of a lower court.

Article III of the Constitution

Third article of the Constitution. It describes the responsibilities and powers of the judicial branch.

Associate

To join with others as a partner, member, or friend.

Federal Courts

The courts that deal with problems between states; they also handle cases that deal with the Constitution and the laws made by Congress.

Judicial Review

Judicial power that allows the court to determine the constitutionality of laws.

Sugar Act of 1764

An act that raised tax revenue in the colonies for the British monarchy. It also increased the tax on foreign sugar imported to the Americas.

Colonies

Lands that are controlled by another nation

Patriot

An American colonist who favored American independence.

George Washington

1st President of the United States and commander-in-chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolution.

Marquis de Lafayette

French aristocrat and soldier who served under George Washington in the American Revolution.

Mutiny

Open rebellion against authority.

Loyalist

American colonists who remained loyal to Britain and opposed the war for independence.

Aristocrat

A member of a rich and powerful family.

Treaties

Formal agreements between nations.

Treaty of Paris

Agreement signed by British and American leaders that stated the United States of America was a free and independent country.

Charles Cornwallis

British general who surrendered at Yorktown ending the American Revolution.

King George III

King of England during the American Revolution.

Taxes

Required payments to a government.

Tyranny

Cruel and oppressive government rule.

Boycott

A refusal to buy or use goods and services.

Boston Massacre

An incident in 1770 in which British troops fired on and killed American colonists.

Patrick Henry

An American leader from Virginia who spoke out against British rule of the American colonies; coined the phrase "Give me liberty or give me death."

Thomas Jefferson

An American Patriot from Virginia and the author of the Declaration of Independence.

Colony

A group of people in one place who are ruled by a parent country elsewhere.

Diverse

Anything that has a great deal of variety, like ideas or people.

Founders

The people who were involved in establishing the United States via the Declaration of Independence.

Indentured Servants

Colonists who received free passage to North America in exchange for working without pay for a specific number of years.

Plantation

A large estate farmed by many workers, typically in the American south.

Self-sufficient

Being able to produce enough for one's own needs.

Subject

Someone who owes allegiance to a government or ruler.

Slave

A person who is the legal property of another person and is forced to obey them against their will.

Natural Rights

The idea that all humans are born with rights, which include the right to life, liberty, and property.

Consent to be Governed

The idea that government derives its authority from the people it governs.

Social Contract

An agreement between the people and their government signifying their consent to be governed.

Civic Virtue

Willingness on the part of citizens to sacrifice their self-interests for the public good.