Articles of Confederation, The United States Constitution, and The Bill of Rights.

Amend

make changes/ modify a legal document

Anti - Federalist

People who were opposed to the Constitution: believed that the government proposed in the Constitution was too far-reaching and it intruded too deeply into people’s individual rights and the rights of the individual states to govern themselves.

Article

a piece of writing included with others in a newspaper, magazine, or other print or online publication

Bill of Rights

rights and protections spelled out in the Constitution that are guaranteed.

Brutus

written under the pseudonym Brutus (likely referring to one of the assassins of Julius Caesar (best friend) in ancient Rome)

Confederation

When a group of people or nations form an alliance, allowing each member to govern itself but agreeing to work together for common causes.

Congress

a formal meeting of delegates for discussion and action

Constitution

a set of rules that guides how a country, state, or other political organization works

Executive Branch

consists of the President, his or her advisors and various departments and agencies. This branch is responsible for enforcing the laws of the land.

Federalism

is power being divided by federal government and state governments, the national government has the power to overrule state government but the state doesn't.

Federalist

People who were in favor of the Constitution, believed that a government that was stronger and more wide-reaching than the Articles of Confederation was needed to maintain order and move the country forward.

Federalist papers

85 essays that explained and defended the Constitution.

House of Representatives

the lower house of the United States Congress, because it has more Members than the Senate. It also has powers not granted to the Senate, like the ability to elect the President if the Electoral College is tied.

Impeach

to charge someone with doing something wrong

Judicial Branch

charged with interpreting the laws of the State of California

Legislate

make or enact laws.

legislative Branch

made up of the House and Senate, known collectively as the Congress. Among other powers, makes all laws, declares war, regulates interstate and foreign commerce and controls taxing and spending policies

Natural Rights

rights granted to all people by nature or God that cannot be denied or restricted by any government or individual

President

an elected official serving as both chief of state and chief political executive in a republic having a presidential government.

Publius

written under the anonymous pseudonym PUBLIUS (Latin meaning ‘public’ or ‘the people’)

Ratify

sign or give formal consent to (a treaty, contract, or agreement), making it officially valid.

senate

is the upper house of the United States Congress, which is a small group of elected people who decide the laws of the country. Every U.S. state elects two people to represent them in the US Senate

Unalienable

not transferable to another or not capable of being taken away or denied

Fourth Amendment

There has to be enough evidence in order to be able to go to trial, and you can't be taken to trial for the exact same crime twice. You don’t have to admit to something that you didn’t do, you don't even have to speak. You can’t be harmed in any violent way or forced to be anywhere unless you have a proper trial, with a jury that has convicted you.

Sixth Amendment

You have the right to a fast and public trial. You should be able to cross-examine the witness, and have a lawyer. If you can’t afford one, one will be appointed to you.

Seventh amendment

You have the right to appoint a lawyer to yourself even in a civil case.

Eight amendment

No unreasonable bail, nor can you go through cruel punishment in jail.

Ninth amendment

You have other rights, other than those noted in the constitution

tenth amendment

Any power not states in the constitution is reserved for the states and the people.

what are the two chambers of congress

senate + house of representatives.

1st article of confederation

created the legislative branch consists of congress and house of representatives. controls national debts, declares war, and approves of federal judge/ justices.

2nd article of confederation

executive; chief in force

3rd aoc

judicial branch; supreme court

4th aoc

state power; can carry out their own laws

5th aoc

constitution can’t be changed; new amendments can be added 2/3 of congress and ¾ of states.

6th aoc

federal laws; the constitution and federal laws are superior to state laws

7th aoc

ratification; George Washington was presented with aoc, 12/13 approved.