Constitution & Foundations Test

John Locke

An English philosopher whose ideas on natural rights and the social contract greatly influenced the founding principles of the United States, particularly the Declaration of Independence.

Baron de Montequieu

A French political philosopher known for his theory of the separation of powers, which impacted the structure of the US government.

Adam Smith

A Scottish economist and philosopher, widely recognized as the father of modern economics, best known for his work "The Wealth of Nations" which laid the foundations for classical economics and free market theory.

“Natural Rights”

Fundamental rights inherent to all individuals, including life, liberty, and property, which John Locke argued should be protected by government.

“State of Nature”

A philosophical concept describing a condition before the establishment of political authority, where individuals exist without government and social structures.

“Invisible Hand”

The unseen force that guides free markets and leads individuals to unintentionally benefit society through their self-interested actions, as proposed by Adam Smith.

French & Indian War

a.k.a The Seven Year war was fought between the nations of Great Britain and France, with Great Britain eventually winning.

Stamp Act Congress

a meeting of representatives from nine of the American Colonies in 1765. They issued the declaration of rights and grievances saying colonist were Englishmen to the King. They were rejected and declared a rebellion.

2nd Continental Congress

A crucial assembly in Philadelphia that served as the de facto national government during the American Revolution. It authorized the Continental Army, appointed George Washington as Commander-in-Chief, approved the Declaration of Independence (1776), and drafted the Articles of Confederation.

Articles of Confederation

Written & adopted in 1777 but not officially ratified by the states until 1781, the _________ was the United States’ 1st attempt at a Constitution to establish a national government.

Shays’ Rebellion

A rebellion by a war veteran against high taxes, debt, and foreclosures it exposed the weakness of the Articles of Confederation.

Virginia Plan “Big State Plan”

Two Houses (bicameral legislature), representation based on population or money given to the national government (more people = more votes). Congress could make laws, regulate trade, tax, and veto state laws. Executivesss chosen by congress, National Courts with judges chosen by congress.

New Jersey Plan “small state plan”

One house(unicameral legislature), Equal representation. Congress can raise money through taxes, regulate trade, but states keep independence. Executivessss chosen by congress. National courts but weaker.

Great Compromise

it created a bicameral legislature: the Senate with equal state representation, and the House with proportional representation.

3/5 Compromise

each slave counted as 3/5 a person in the census for tax purposes.

Separation of Powers

A fundamental constitutional doctrine dividing government responsibilities into distinct legislative, executive, and judicial branches to prevent the concentration of power and protect liberty

Checks and Balances

prevent any one branch (legislative, executive, judicial) from becoming too powerful by granting each the authority to limit or check the others

“Necessary & Proper” clause

Article 1, section 8. The constitution states that the congress shall have the power to make all laws which shall be ________ for carry into execution the powers of Congress. It gives congress the power to do whatever it wants to enforce laws.

Federalist Papers

The Federalist Papers is a collection of 85 essays written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay between 1787 and 1788 to persuade New York voters to ratify the newly proposed U.S. Constitution

Anti Federalist

American leaders who opposed the ratification of the 1787 U.S. Constitution, fearing a strong central government would threaten state sovereignty and individual liberties. They championed states' rights, demanded a Bill of Rights

Bill of Rights

Demanded by the Anti Federalist it is the first 10 Amendments to the constitution. A list of rights for all people.

Marbury v. Madison

Marbury v. Madison (1803) was significant because it established judicial review, the power of the U.S. Supreme Court to declare a law passed by Congress unconstitutional

Article 1 Let's

Legislative Branch

Article 2 eat

Executive Branch

Article 3 jelly

Judicial Branch

Article 4 sandwiches

State Rights

Article 5 and

Amended

Article 6 sushi

Supremecy

Article 7 rolls

Ratify

Article I, Sections 2-3

House & Senate

Article I, Sections 7-8

How a Bill Becomes a Law, Powers of Congress

Article II, Sections 1-2

President

Article III, Section 1

Judges’ Life Terms

Article IV, Section 1

Full Faith & Credit

Article IV, Section 3

New States