Untitled Flashcards Set

Establish Justice

Creating fair laws and courts to ensure equality.

Ensure Domestic Tranquility

Keeping peace within the country.

Provide for the Common Defense

Protecting the nation from external threats.

Promote the General Welfare

Supporting citizens’ well-being through policies and programs.

Secure the Blessings of Liberty

Protecting individual rights and freedoms for current and future generations.

John Locke

Enlightenment philosopher who believed in natural rights (life, liberty, property).

English Bill of Rights

A document limiting the power of the monarchy and expanding Parliament's authority.

Thomas Hobbes

Believed people needed a strong government to prevent chaos.

Montesquieu

Believed in separation of powers to prevent tyranny.

Declaration of Independence

A document declaring America’s independence from Britain, emphasizing natural rights.

Articles of Confederation

America’s first constitution, creating a weak national government.

Federalist

Supported a strong central government and the ratification of the Constitution.

Anti-Federalist

Opposed a strong national government; wanted a Bill of Rights.

Constitution

The supreme law of the U.S., establishing the structure and powers of government.

Federalism

The division of power between national and state governments.

Necessary and Proper Clause

Allows Congress to make laws needed to carry out its powers.

Judicial Review

The Supreme Court’s power to declare laws unconstitutional.

Checks and Balances

A system that allows each branch of government to limit the powers of the others.

Popular Sovereignty

The idea that government power comes from the people.

Separation of Powers

The division of government responsibilities into three branches.

Limited Government

The idea that government power is restricted by the Constitution.

Amendment Process

The process of changing the Constitution by proposal and ratification.

1st Amendment

Protects freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly, and petition.

Establishment Clause

Prevents the government from establishing an official religion.

Free Exercise Clause

Protects people’s right to practice their religion freely.

2nd Amendment

Protects the right to bear arms.

4th Amendment

Protects against unreasonable searches and seizures.

5th Amendment

Protects against self-incrimination, double jeopardy, and ensures due process.

Eminent Domain

The government’s power to take private property for public use with compensation.

6th Amendment

Guarantees a fair and speedy trial.

8th Amendment

Prohibits cruel and unusual punishment.

10th Amendment

Reserves powers to the states that are not given to the federal government.

14th Amendment

Defines citizenship and guarantees equal protection under the law.

Equal Protection Clause

Requires states to treat all people equally under the law.

Social Contract

An implicit agreement among individuals to form a society and abide by its rules.

Natural Rights

Rights that individuals are born with, such as life, liberty, and property.

Checks & Balances Example

The President can veto laws, and Congress can override the veto.

Judicial Review Example

Marbury v. Madison established judicial review.

Federalism Example

States control education policies while the federal government handles foreign policy.

Articles of Confederation Weakness

No executive branch, lack of national taxing power, and requiring unanimous consent for amendments.

Federalist Papers

Essays arguing to support the ratification of the Constitution.

Bill of Rights Purpose

To protect individual freedoms from government infringement.

Influence of Magna Carta

Limited the king's power and established the principle of rule of law.

Influence of English Bill of Rights

Expanded liberties and influenced the U.S. Bill of Rights.

Brutus No. 1

An Anti-Federalist paper arguing against a strong central government.

Federalist No. 10

An essay by James Madison arguing for a large republic to control factions.