U.S. Constitution and Democratic Principles: Key Concepts and Cases

Respect for the fundamental worth of every person

A principle that emphasizes the intrinsic value of each individual.

Respect for the equality of all people

The principle that all individuals are entitled to equal rights and opportunities.

Majority rule, but respect for minority rights

A democratic principle where the majority's decision is respected while safeguarding the rights of minorities.

Compromise

The process of making concessions to reach an agreement.

Widest interpretation of individual freedom/individualism

The belief in maximizing personal freedoms and individual rights.

Popular Sovereignty/Consent

The principle that government derives its authority from the consent of the governed.

Articles of Confederation

The first written constitution of the independent U.S. that established a weak central government.

Confederate

A form of government where power is concentrated in state or regional governments with limited authority of a central government.

State Obligations to Central Government

The responsibilities of states to obey the Articles, provide funds/troops, and ensure open travel and trade.

Responsibilities of Central Government to States

The duties of the central government to protect states, respect boundaries, and admit new states.

Unicameral Congress

A legislative body with one chamber where each state has one vote.

Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation

The limitations of the Articles, including no power to tax, regulate commerce, or create a standing army.

No power to tax

The inability of the central government to generate revenue, leading to financial instability.

Army Dependent on State Militias

The reliance on state militias for defense, which limited the government's ability to respond to crises.

No Coherent Foreign Policy

The lack of a unified approach to international relations, resulting in diminished respect from foreign powers.

Western Lands

Territories claimed by multiple states, leading to disputes and demands for federal control.

Land Ordinance of 1785

Laws established to survey and organize western lands into 6-mile square grids.

Northwest Ordinance of 1787

A plan outlining the process for territories to become states, including governance and legislative requirements.

Shays Rebellion

An armed uprising led by Daniel Shays in 1786-1787 in response to economic injustices and the inability of farmers to pay debts.

Annapolis Meeting

A meeting held in January 1786 to discuss regulating commerce, which only five states attended.

Constitutional Convention

A gathering from May 14 to September 17, 1787, aimed at revising the Articles of Confederation due to weaknesses exposed by Shays Rebellion.

Connecticut/Great Compromise

An agreement that created a bicameral Congress with representation based on state population in the House and equal representation in the Senate.

3/5 Compromise

A compromise that determined each slave would count as three-fifths of a person for representation purposes.

Preamble

The introductory statement of the Constitution outlining the philosophy on the role of government, including forming a perfect union and securing liberty.

Article I

The section of the Constitution that establishes the legislative branch, known as Congress.

Article II

The section of the Constitution that establishes the executive branch, headed by the President.

Article III

The section of the Constitution that establishes the judicial branch, including the Supreme Court.

Article IV

The section of the Constitution that addresses relations among states.

Necessary & Proper Clause

A clause in Article IV that grants Congress the power to pass all laws necessary and proper for carrying out its enumerated powers.

Supremacy Clause

A clause in Article VI stating that the Constitution and federal laws take precedence over state laws.

6 Principles of Democracy

The foundational principles including Popular Sovereignty, Limited Government, Separation of Powers, Checks & Balances, Judicial Review, and Federalism.

Popular Sovereignty

The principle that government power is derived from the consent of the governed, encapsulated in the phrase 'We the People.'

Limited Government

The principle that government powers are restricted by law to protect individual rights.

Separation of Powers

The division of government responsibilities into distinct branches to limit any one branch from exercising the core functions of another.

Checks & Balances

A system that ensures that no one branch of government becomes too powerful by providing each branch with the means to limit the actions of the others.

Judicial Review

The power of courts to assess whether a law is in compliance with the Constitution.

Federalism

A system of government in which power is divided between a central authority and constituent political units.

House of Representatives

The lower chamber of Congress, with representatives elected for two-year terms based on state population.

Senate

The upper chamber of Congress, with each state represented by two senators elected for six-year terms.

President

The head of the executive branch, elected for four-year terms by the electoral college.

Supreme Court

The highest court in the United States, whose justices are nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate to serve for life.

Marbury v. Madison

A landmark case that established the principle of judicial review.

Brown v. Board of Education

A landmark case that declared racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional.

10th Amendment

Any power not given to the federal government, nor denied to the states, is 'reserved' for the states.

Commerce Clause

Congress' power to regulate 'interstate commerce'.

Full Faith & Credit Clause

Each State has to honor the civil rulings and laws from other states; doesn't apply to criminal matters.

Ratification

Requires 9 out of 13 States to ratify the Constitution, but really needed all 13.

Federalists

Supported ratification; favored government by elite.

Anti-Federalists

Wanted strong state powers; feared big government and loss of civil liberties.

Bill of Rights

The first 10 Amendments added to the Constitution to protect political rights.

1st Amendment

Protects free speech, press, petition, assembly, and religion.

Amending: Formal Amendments

Changing wording of the document; requires 2/3 in each House or National Convention and ratification by 3/4 State Legislatures.

Informal Amendments

Changes in the Constitution that do not involve a formal amendment process, including legislative, presidential, and judicial actions.

Legislative Action

One of the methods of informal amendment through laws passed by Congress.

Presidential Action

One of the methods of informal amendment through actions taken by the President.

Judicial Action

One of the methods of informal amendment through Supreme Court decisions.

Tradition

One of the methods of informal amendment based on established practices.

Precedent

One of the methods of informal amendment based on previous court decisions that influence future cases.