Articles of Confederation, the United States Constitution, and the Bill of Rights Exam Review

US History

Amend

modify a legal document

Amendment

an article added to the US Constitution

Anti-Federalist

someone who opposed the creation of a strong central government

Article

a section that establishes rules and describes how the government operates.

Bill of Rights

the first ten amendments of the US Constitution

Brutus

pen name of Anti-Federalist who wrote a series of essays opposing the ratification if the U.S Constitution

Checks and Balances

a system that prevents any one branch of government from having too much power

Confederation

an organization which consists of a number of parties or groups united in an alliance or league.

Congress

legislative branch of the government responsible for making laws, made up of the Senate and the House of Representatives

Constitution

a set of fundamental laws that define how a country is governed

Democratic Republic

A democratic republic, as defined by the United States Constitution, is a government system where citizens self-govern and the government's power is derived from its citizens.

Establishment Clause

prevents the US government from establishing an official religion or favoring one religion over another

Executive Branch

the part of the government that enforces laws, manages the country, and proposes new laws. This includes the president, vice president, and their advisors

Federalism

a system of government that divides power between a national government and state governments

Federalist Papers

a collection of essays written by John Jay, James Madison, and Alexander Hamilton in 1788 that urged the ratification of the US Constitution

House of Representatives

Makes and passes laws, apart of the legislative branch, made up of 435 members

Impeach

bringing charges against a government official for wrongdoing. A trial may be held, and the official may be removed from office

Judicial Branch

the part of the U.S. government that interprets laws, settles disputes, and punishes lawbreakers. It includes the Supreme Court, federal courts, and state courts

Legislate

make laws

Legislative Branch

made up of the Senate and the House of Representatives, which together form Congress. They create laws

Natural Rights

Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness

Naturalize

the process of becoming a United States citizen if you were born outside the country

Necessary and Proper Clause

Clause in the Constitution that gives Congress the power to make laws that are “necessary and Proper” to carry out the other powers in the government

President

the head of state and chief executive of the country that is elected by the citizens of the country

Ratify

to officially approve or enact a law, agreement, or other binding document.

Senate

Every state has two senators that make up the 100 members in the Senate. They serve 6 year terms.

Separation of Power

Division of power between the legislative, executive, and judicial branches to prevent a single branch from becoming too powerful

Supremacy Clause

In article 4 of the US Constitution it says that when a state law conflicts with a federal law, the federal law takes precedence

Supreme Court

the highest court in the country, and it's responsible for interpreting the Constitution and ensuring equal justice under the law. Apart of the judicial branch

Unalienable

impossible to take away or give up

Veto

the power to reject or block a decision or proposal.

Brutus

Anti-Federalist who wrote a series of essays opposing the ratification of the US Constitution

Declaration of Independence

Document sent to Great Britain declaring the 13 colonies separation. It's purpose was to justify why they wanted to be independent

Federalist

Advocated for a strong central government, supported the ratification of the Constitution

Anti-Federalist

Supported States’ Rights, opposed the Constitution, wanted the inclusion of a Bill of Rights

How might historians consider the Constitution a compromise between the Federalist and Anti-Federalist?

The Constitution included a stronger central government, but it also included check and balances and the promise of a Bill of Rights.

What were the Articles of Confederation?

The first constitution of the United States,adopted in the Revolutionary War. Made up of 13 articles.

What power did the Articles of Confederation give to Congress?

Conduct Foreign Affairs, Declare War, Settle Disputes between States, Admit new States, and Pass laws.

Limitations Congress faced because of the power given to them by the Articles of Confederation.

No Power to Tax, No Power to Regulate Commerce,No executive branch to enforce the laws passed by Congress, and no Judiciary to interpret or settle disputes between States.

How many Articles of the Constitution are there?

7

Article 1 of the Constitution

Establishes the Legislative Branch(Congress), consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives.They have the power to make laws, to tax and regulate commerce.

Article 2 of the Constitution

Establishes the Executive Branch (The President). They have the power to make treaties with Senate approval and to appoint federal officers and judges. They enforce the law.

Article 3 of the Constitution

Establishes the Judicial Branch (The Supreme Court). Interpret and apply the law. Protects individual rights.

Article 4 of the Constitution

Addresses the relationship between States and the federal government. Includes the Full Faith and Credit Clause that requires states to respect each other’s laws and court judgement.

Article 5 of the Constitution

Outlines the process of amending the Constitution. Require two-thirds vote in both houses of Congress. Requires ratification by three-fourths of the state legislatures.

Article 6 of the Constitution

Establishes the Supremacy Clause that makes federal laws take precedence over state laws. All federal and state officers must take an oath to support the Constitution. No Religious Test Clause that prohibits the government from establishing a national religion.

Article 7 of the Constitution

Outlines the process for ratification of the Constitution. Nine states are needed to ratify the Constitution before it can take effect.

How is each state’s representation in the Senate determined?

It is determined by the Constitution, which provides equal representation for all the states. Each state is represented by two Senators.

How is each state’s representation in the House of Representatives determined?

It is based on population size. It is calculated every 10 years based on the national census, a process called apportionment. After this is calculated the 435 house seats are divided among the states.

How old does one have to be to be elected to the House of Representatives?How long is one’s term in the House of represent?

At least 25 years old. One term is two years.

How old does one have to be to be elected to the Senate?How long is one’s term in the Senate?

At least 30 years old. One term is 6 years.

How old does one have to be to be elected to the Presidency? How long is one’s term as President?

At least 35 years old. One term is 4 years.

How long can a president serve for?

A maximum of 10 years

How old does one have to be to be elected to the Supreme Court?How long is one’s term in the Supreme Court?

No age requirement. They serve for life.

Checks and Balances the Legislative(Congress) have over the Executive(The President)

Impeachment Power, Override vetoes,Confirm the approval of appointments, Treaty Ratification, Budget control, and Legislative Oversight.

Checks and Balances the Legislative (Congress) Has over the Judicial (The Supreme Court)

Approval of Judges nominated by the President, Impeachment of Judges, Amend the Constitution,Legislation; Congress can pass new laws or amend laws that counteract judicial decisions

Checks and Balances the Executive (The President) has over the Legislative (Congress)

Veto bills passed by congress, Executive orders, Special session to address urgent issues with Congress, The vice president can serve as president of the Senate and can cast tie breaking votes in the Senate

Checks and Balances the Executive (The President) has over the Judicial (The Supreme Court)

The president can nominate federal judges, including the Supreme court justices.The president has the power to Pardon, Enforce court decisions

Checks and Balances the Judicial (The Supreme Court) has over the Legislative (Congress)

Can declare laws as unconstitutional, nullifying them. Has the power to interpret the meaning of laws passed by Congress, which can shape how those laws are implemented.

What is the Bill of Rights and Why were they created?

The first 10 Amendments of the Constitution. They were created to protect individual liberties and limit the power of the federal government.

1st Amendment

Freedom of Religion, Freedom of Speech, Freedom of the Press, Freedom of Assembly, and the Right to Petition

2nd Amendment

Protects the right to keep and bear arms

3rd Amendment

Prohibits soldiers from living in citizens homes without their consent

4th Amendment

Protects against unreasonable searched and seizures

5th Amendment

Provides for the right to due process, protects citizens from self-incrimination and double jeopardy. Protections extend to any situation if a citizen is threatened. Also protects against the government from taking private property without just compensation

6th Amendment

Guarantees the right to a fair and speedy public trial by jury, representation by an attorney, and the right to confront witnesses

7th Amendment

Provides the right to trial by jury in certain civil cases

8th Amendment

Prohibits excessive bail, fines, and cruel and unusual punishment

9th Amendment

Rights not stated in the Constitution doesn’t deny other rights that people have

10th Amendment

powers not given to the federal government are reserved for the states and the people

11th Amendment

States are immune from lawsuits from people that aren't from that state of if they are foreign

12th Amendment

modifies the procedure for electing the President and Vice President of the United States. Electors in the Electoral College cast separate ballots for President and Vice President.

13th Amendment

Abolishes slavery

14th Amendment

Grants citizenship to people born here or naturalized in the U.S and guarantees equal rights

15th Amendment

Men of all race can vote

16th Amendment

Congress is able to tax its citizens

17th Amendment

Senators are elected by popular vote from the citizen of the U.S

18th Amendment

Prohibits alcohol

19th Amendment

Grants women the right to vote

20th Amendment

sets the inauguration date for the President and Vice President to January 20, and for Congress to January 3

21st Amendment

Ends prohibition

22nd Amendment

Limits the president to two terms in office

23rd Amendment

grants residents of Washington, D.C. the right to vote in presidential elections and to have the same number of electors as the least populous state

24th Amendment

prohibits the federal and state governments from denying the right to vote based on failure to pay taxes.

25th Amendment

ensures a clear line of succession and addresses situations where a President dies, resign, or is removed by office

26th Amendment

Lowers the voting age from 21 to 18

27th Amendment

any change in salary for members of Congress will not take effect until after the next election

Article 1 of the Confederation

 Created the name of the combined 13 states as The United States of America.

Article 2 of the Confederation

State governments still had their own powers that were not listed in the Articles of Confederation.

Article 3 of the Confederation

The combined states were responsible for helping to protect each other from attacks.

Article 4 of the Confederation

People can travel freely from state to state; however, criminals who left the state where they committed the crime would be sent back for trial.

Article 5 of the Confederation

Created the Congress of the Confederation. Each state got one vote in the congress and could send between 2 and 7 people to participate in the congress.

Article 6 of the Confederation

The new central government is responsible for working with other countries, including trade agreements and declaring war. States were required to have trained soldiers who could be ready to fight

Article 7 of the Confederation

States could choose their own military leaders. 

Article 8 of the Confederation

Each state government had to raise money to give to the new central government.

Article 9 of the Confederation

Only the new central government had the power to make/declare war, and make peace with foreign countries. The central government was also responsible for assigning Ambassadors to represent the United States in other countries.

Article 10 of the Confederation

Created a group called the Committee of States who could act for the Congress of Confederation when the Congress was not working.

Article 11 of the Confederation

Stated that Canada could join the new nation if it wanted. 

Article 12 of the Confederation

Stated that the new nation agreed to pay for earlier war debts.

Article 13 of the Confederation

Declared that the Articles of Confederation were forever and could only be changed by the Congress of Confederation and if all the states agreed.