The American Judicial System: Introduction to the U.S. Constitution

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards detailing the historical events, structural Articles, amendment mechanics, and key Amendments of the United States Constitution.

Albany Plan

An early plan for colonial unity proposed by Benjamin Franklin at the Albany Congress in June/July 1754, featuring a 'Grand Council' and 'General President', which was rejected by individual colonies out of fear it would destroy their sovereignty.

Declaration of Independence

A foundational document adopted on July 4, 1776, representing the first official union of the 13 American colonies to declare separation from Great Britain, proclaiming unalienable rights to Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.

Articles of Confederation

America's first national government framework, signed in York, Pennsylvania, in 1777, which established a 'firm league of friendship' where individual states retained their sovereignty and joined for mutual welfare and protection.

Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation

Key structural deficiencies of the first national government, including the lack of common currency, inability to levy taxes, absence of an Executive Branch or national leader, lack of a court system, and a federal government with no power.

The Federalist Papers

A collection of essays written in 1788 by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay asserting that the purpose of the United States Constitution is to limit the power of the federal government, not the American people.

U.S. Constitution

The supreme legal framework of the United States, officially adopted and put into effect in 1789, recognized as the oldest active and shortest written constitution in the world at 4,543 words.

Preamble to the U.S. Constitution

The opening statement stating the six core objectives of the Constitution: form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty.

Article 1 of the U.S. Constitution

The constitutional component containing 10 sections that establishes the Legislative Branch of the federal government, vesting lawmaking authority in Congress (consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives).

Article 2 of the U.S. Constitution

The constitutional component containing 4 sections that establishes the Executive Branch of the federal government, headed by the President and Vice President.

Article 3 of the U.S. Constitution

The constitutional component containing 3 sections that establishes the Judicial Branch of the federal government, vesting judicial authority in the Supreme Court.

Article 4 of the U.S. Constitution

The constitutional component consisting of 4 sections that governs the relationship between the individual states and the federal government.

Article 5 of the U.S. Constitution

The constitutional section outlining the formal amendment process, requiring a two-thirds vote in both congressional houses or state legislatures to propose, and ratification by three-fourths of state legislatures or state conventions.

Article 6 of the U.S. Constitution

The constitutional component establishing the Supremacy Clause, affirming that the U.S. Constitution, federal laws, and treaties constitute the supreme law of the land.

Article 7 of the U.S. Constitution

The constitutional component establishing that the ratification of nine out of the original thirteen states was required to establish the Constitution.

Bill of Rights

The first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution, ratified together in 1791 (two years after the Constitution was adopted), designed to explicitly protect individual civil liberties from government overreach.

First Amendment

A 1791 constitutional amendment guaranteeing six core protections: protection against the establishment of religion, free exercise of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, the right to assemble, and the right to petition the government.

Second Amendment

A 1791 constitutional amendment protecting the right of the people to keep and bear arms in connection with the maintenance of a well regulated militia necessary to the security of a free state.

Fourth Amendment

A 1791 constitutional amendment protecting people against unreasonable searches and seizures, specifying that warrants require probable cause, support by oath or affirmation, and precise descriptions of the place and items to be seized.

Fifth Amendment

A 1791 constitutional amendment establishing the right to a grand jury, protection against double jeopardy, protection against self-incrimination, the right to due process, and just compensation for private property taken for public use.

Sixth Amendment

A 1791 constitutional amendment ensuring procedural criminal due process via six rights: speedy and public trial, local jury, notice of charges, confrontation of accusers, compulsory process for defense witnesses, and legal counsel.

Eighth Amendment

A 1791 constitutional amendment prohibiting the federal government from requiring excessive bail, imposing excessive fines, or inflicting cruel and unusual punishments.

Fourteenth Amendment

An 1868 constitutional amendment providing birthright and naturalization citizenship, protecting citizens' privileges and immunities, guaranteeing due process, and establishing the Equal Protection Clause ('all equal under law').

Twenty-first Amendment

The 1933 constitutional amendment that repealed the Eighteenth Amendment's ban on alcohol, notable as the only amendment ratified through state ratifying conventions (with Utah acting as the 36th state to approve it).

Twenty-sixth Amendment

A constitutional amendment proposed in March 1971 and ratified within two months by three-fourths of state legislatures that lowered the official voting age in the United States to 18.

Equal Rights Amendment (ERA)

A constitutional amendment approved by Congress in March 1972 that failed adoption after receiving ratification from only 35 state legislatures, falling short of the required 38 states before its 1982 deadline.

Twenty-seventh Amendment

A constitutional amendment ratified in 1992 which prevents any congressional pay increase from taking effect until an intervening election of Representatives has taken place.