Studied by 10 people
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.
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