U.S. Constitution, Government Structure, and Historical Foundations

Declaration of Independence

What document broke American colonial ties with Britain?

Legislative Branch

Which branch makes laws?

Executive Branch

Which branch enforces laws?

Judicial Branch

Which branch interprets laws?

Flag Protocol

What is the official thing to do if a flag becomes torn & tattered?

Virginia Plan

The Virginia Plan favored larger states because it based representation on population.

New Jersey Plan

The New Jersey Plan favored smaller states because it was based on equal representation.

Great Compromise

The Great Compromise settled the issue of representation.

Articles of Confederation

It was a confederation so power was strongest at the state level.

Veto Override

Congress needs a 2/3 majority to override a veto.

Amendment Proposal

Congress needs a 2/3 majority to propose an amendment.

Senate's Role

The Senate approves treaties arranged by the president.

Constitution Amendments

There are 27 amendments to the Constitution.

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the Constitution are known as the Bill of Rights.

22nd Amendment

The president may only serve two terms according to the 22nd Amendment.

Bill of Rights Application

The Bill of Rights applies to federal, state, & local levels of American government.

19th Amendment

The 19th Amendment gave women the right to vote.

Treason

Giving aid and comfort to an enemy of the United States is called treason.

Habeas Corpus

Habeas corpus prevents people from being jailed indefinitely by the government.

Federalism

Dividing power between the states and the national government is called federalism.

Checks & Balances

Giving each branch some degree of oversight of the other branches is called checks & balances.

Due Process Rights

Due Process rights include the right to an indictment by grand jury, freedom from self-incrimination, right to a fair trial, prohibition on double jeopardy, and guarantee that government cannot seize private property without due compensation.

Framers of the Constitution

The Framers originally met in Philadelphia in 1787 in order to amend or 'fix' the Articles of Confederation.

Preamble of the Constitution

The Preamble states the purposes of the Constitution.

Commander in Chief

The president is the commander in chief, can call Congress into special sessions, and can pardon individuals for their crimes, but he cannot declare war.

Full Faith and Credit Clause

According to the Full faith and credit clause, states must recognize the legal documents of other states.

Supremacy of National Law

When state and national law conflict, national law is supreme.

Congressional Powers

Congress has many powers. It can grant patents & copyrights, declare war and run the US Post Office, but it cannot conduct judicial review or judge the Constitutionality of laws.

Three-fifths Compromise

In the Three-fifths Compromise, it was agreed that three-fifths of the slave population would be counted for determining direct taxation and representation in Congress.

Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence.

James Madison

James Madison is called the father of the Constitution for his contributions to it.

John Jay

John Jay wrote convincing essays that argued for a separation of powers and against the concentration of powers.

George Washington

George Washington was the president of the Constitutional Convention.

John Hancock

John Hancock was a moderate Antifederalist who was convinced to switch sides by the promise of a bill of rights.