Constitution - Gray Word Wall

Due Process

legal principle that ensures fairness and protects the rights of individuals in legal proceedings. It guarantees that individuals are treated fairly. (Innocent until proven guilty)

Electoral College

body of electors established by the United States Constitution, responsible for electing the President and Vice President of the United States.

probable cause

the belief that a crime occurred, or evidence exists. It allows law enforcement to search, seize, or arrest. It requires facts or circumstances convincing a reasonable person that a crime happened or will happen. It is more than suspicion but less than beyond a reasonable doubt.

bicameral

a legislative body that is divided into two separate chambers or houses.

warrant

legal document issued by a judge or magistrate that authorizes law enforcement officials to take a specific action, such as conducting a search or making an arrest. It is based on probable cause.

Bill of Rights

the first ten amendments to the United States Constitution. It was ratified in 1791 and guarantees certain fundamental rights and freedoms to the American people.

emancipate

to set free or liberate, particularly in the context of freeing someone from slavery or oppression.

depression

severe and prolonged downturn in economic activity characterized by a significant decline in GDP, high unemployment rates, and a decrease in business investment.

Shays's Rebellion

uprising in Massachusetts from 1786 to 1787. It was led by a former Revolutionary War captain and was fueled by economic hardships faced by farmers and veterans. Had a significant impact on the formation of the United States Constitution, highlighting the need for a stronger central government.

Virginia Plan

proposal for the structure of the United States government presented at the Constitutional Convention in 1787. It called for a bicameral legislature, with representation in both houses based on population.

Judicial

one of the three branches of government in the United States. Its main function is to interpret and apply the law. Supreme Court.

Interstate commerce

refers to the trade and transportation of goods, services, and information between different states within a country.

Northwest Ordinance

a law passed by the U.S. Congress in 1787. It established a process for admitting new states to the Union and outlined a system for governing the new territory gained after the revolution. It also prohibited slavery in the territory and provided for public education.

Constitution

supreme law of the United States. It establishes the framework for the government and outlines the powers and limitations of each branch.

checks & balances

system in government where each branch has the ability to limit the powers of the other branches. This ensures that no single branch becomes too powerful and helps maintain a balance of power.

Judicial Review

power of the courts to review and determine the constitutionality of laws or government actions. It allows the judiciary to interpret and apply the law, ensuring that it is consistent with the constitution. This principle originated in the United States with the landmark case Marbury v. Madison in 1803.

impeach

political process used to remove a government official, such as a president or a high-ranking official, from office. It involves charging the official with misconduct or abuse of power and conducting a trial to determine their guilt or innocence.

Articles of Confederation

the first constitution of the United States; established a weak central government with limited powers, as the states retained most of the authority.

Great Compromise

also known as the Connecticut Compromise, was an agreement reached during the Constitutional Convention of 1787 in the United States. It resolved the debate between the large and small states over representation in the legislative branch.

federalism

system of government where power is divided between a central authority and regional or state governments. It allows for shared governance and autonomy of both levels of government.

New Jersey Plan

proposal presented at the Constitutional Convention in 1787. It advocated for equal representation of states in the legislative branch, regardless of their population size.

republicanism

voting, or participating in a republic.

constitutional republic

form of government where the powers of the government are limited by a constitution, and the head of state is an elected or appointed individual.

popular sovereignty

the principle that the authority of a government is derived from the consent of the people. It is the idea that the power to govern resides with the citizens.

amend

to make changes to a document.

Ratification

the formal approval or acceptance of a decision, agreement, or document.

limited government

a political system in which the powers and actions of the government are restricted by law, usually through a constitution. No one is above the law.

legislative

one of the three branches of government in a democratic system. It is responsible for making laws. In the United States it is known as Congress and is made up of the Senate and the House of Representatives.

executive

one of the three branches of government in a democratic system. It is responsible for implementing and enforcing laws. The head of the of the branch is typically the president or prime minister, who is elected or appointed to lead the government.

individual rights

rights guaranteed and protected by the constitution (Bill of Rights).

Anti-Federalists

group of individuals who opposed the ratification of the United States Constitution. They believed that the Constitution gave too much power to the federal government and lacked sufficient protections for individual rights; argued for the inclusion of a Bill of Rights.

Baron de Montesquieu

French philosopher and political thinker who is best known for his theory of separation of powers, and checks & balances.

separation of powers

refers to the division of government powers among different branches, typically the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. This system is designed to prevent the concentration of power in one entity and to provide checks and balances.

Federalists

supporters of the ratification of the U.S. Constitution and advocated for a strong central government. Did not believe a Bill of Rights was necessary.

Three-Fifths Compromise

agreement reached during the Constitutional Convention that was necessary to gain support of slave states for ratification. Slave states would be allowed to count 3/5 of their slaves in order to gain more representatives in the House of Representatives.

John Locke

influential philosopher during the Enlightenment period. He is known for his ideas on natural rights, social contract theory, and limited government. Locke believed that individuals have inherent rights to life, liberty, and property, and that governments should be formed to protect these rights.

suffrage

right to vote in political elections.