U.S. Government Foundations and the Constitution

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, Constitutional compromises, government principles, the Seven Articles, and the Bill of Rights.

Declaration of Independence

Adopted on July 4, 1776, this document declared independence from Great Britain, asserted natural rights (life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness) and consent of the governed, and explained why the colonies wanted independence.

Natural Rights

Rights recognized in the Declaration of Independence as life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Consent of the Governed

The political principle that government gets its power from the people.

State Constitutions

Written plans created in 1776 explaining how state governments work, establishing a separation of powers into three branches (legislative, executive, judicial).

Articles of Confederation

The first U.S. government plan; it gave most power to the states, could not directly tax citizens, regulate interstate trade effectively, or enforce laws well, and required all 13 states to agree to amendments.

Shays' Rebellion (1786–1787)

A protest by Massachusetts farmers against debts and taxes that exposed the weaknesses of the national government and helped convince leaders to create a stronger government.

Constitutional Convention (1787)

A meeting held in Philadelphia to fix the Articles of Confederation, led by George Washington, where delegates ultimately wrote a new Constitution.

Virginia Plan

A proposal at the Constitutional Convention where representation was based on population, which favored large states.

New Jersey Plan

A proposal at the Constitutional Convention where every state received equal representation, which favored small states.

Great Compromise

An agreement that created Congress with two houses: the House of Representatives (based on population) and the Senate (2 senators per state).

Three-Fifths Compromise

An agreement under the original Constitution that counted $\frac{3}{5}$ of enslaved people for representation and certain taxes.

Trade Compromise

A constitutional compromise granting Congress the power to regulate trade while prohibiting export taxes.

Federalists

Supporters of the Constitution and a stronger national government who believed it would fix the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.

Anti-Federalists

Individuals who feared a powerful national government and demanded a Bill of Rights to protect individual freedoms.

Ratification

Formal approval; under Article VII of the Constitution, nine states were required to ratify the document.

Preamble to the Constitution

The introductory statement explaining the Constitution's goals: form a more perfect union, establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility (peace), provide common defense, promote general welfare, and secure liberty.

Article I

The article of the U.S. Constitution that establishes the Legislative branch (Congress makes laws).

Article II

The article of the U.S. Constitution that establishes the Executive branch (President enforces laws).

Article III

The article of the U.S. Constitution that establishes the Judicial branch (Courts interpret laws).

Article IV

The article of the U.S. Constitution governing relations among states.

Article V

The article of the U.S. Constitution detailing the amendment process.

Article VI (Supremacy Clause)

The article of the U.S. Constitution establishing that the Constitution and valid federal laws are supreme over conflicting state laws.

Article VII

The article of the U.S. Constitution setting the requirements for ratification.

Separation of Powers

The division of government power among three separate branches: legislative (makes laws), executive (enforces laws), and judicial (interprets laws).

Checks and Balances

The principle that each branch of government can limit the others; for example, the president can veto bills.

Federalism

The division and sharing of power between national and state governments.

Delegated Powers

Powers assigned to the national government, such as declaring war and coining money.

Reserved Powers

Powers kept by the states, such as managing local schools and issuing driver's licenses.

Concurrent Powers

Powers shared by both national and state governments, such as taxing and running courts.

Popular Sovereignty

The fundamental principle that government power comes from the people.

Limited Government

The principle that government is not all-powerful and must obey the law.

Republicanism

A form of government where people elect representatives to govern.

Amendment

An official change to the Constitution.

Constitutional Amendment Process

The formal procedure under Article V, usually requiring $\frac{2}{3}$ of both houses of Congress to propose an amendment and $\frac{3}{4}$ of the states to ratify it.

Bill of Rights

The first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1791 to protect individual freedoms.

First Amendment

Protects freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition.

Second Amendment

Protects the right to keep and bear arms.

Third Amendment

Protects against the forced housing of soldiers in private homes.

Fourth Amendment

Protects individuals from unreasonable searches and seizures.

Fifth Amendment

Guarantees due process and protections for accused people.

Sixth Amendment

Guarantees rights to a speedy, public criminal trial.

Seventh Amendment

Guarantees the right to a jury trial in certain civil cases.

Eighth Amendment

Prohibits excessive bail and cruel and unusual punishment.

Ninth Amendment

States that people retain other rights beyond those specifically listed in the Constitution.

Tenth Amendment

States that powers not given to the federal government or prohibited to states are reserved to the states or the people.