Constitution Test

Protecting Natural Rights

The core value that government exists to protect life, liberty, and property.

John Locke - Major Three Rights

Life, liberty, and property.

Magna Carta

A 1215 English document that limited the king’s power and established due process.

English Bill of Rights

A 1689 document that further limited the monarchy and protected individual rights.

Social Contract Theory

The agreement in which people give up total freedom in exchange for protection of their natural rights.

Republic

A representative democracy in which citizens elect officials to make laws on their behalf.

Mayflower Compact

A 1620 agreement in which settlers agreed to form a government and follow laws for the common good.

Virginia House of Burgesses

The first representative assembly in the American colonies, established in 1619.

Charter Colonies

Colonies that were largely self-governing and operated under charters granted by the king.

Declaration of Independence - Author

Thomas Jefferson.

Declaration - Preamble

The section that explains philosophical ideas such as natural rights and social contract.

Declaration - Grievances

A list of abuses and violations committed by King George III.

Declaration - Resolution

The section declaring the colonies free and independent states.

Self-Government Power Name

Sovereignty.

Taxation Without Representation

The belief that Parliament had no right to tax colonists who had no representatives in Parliament.

Boston Massacre

A 1770 event where British soldiers killed five colonists.

Boston Tea Party

A 1773 protest where colonists dumped tea into Boston Harbor.

Confederation

An agreement among states to cooperate while retaining most of their sovereignty.

Why States Preferred Weak Confederation

They feared a strong central government after fighting British tyranny.

Main Purpose of Articles of Confederation

To unite the states during the Revolutionary War.

Unicameral

A legislature with one house.

1 Vote Per State Weakness

It ignored population differences between large and small states.

9 of 13 Votes Required Weakness

It made passing laws very difficult.

13 of 13 Votes to Amend Weakness

It made changing the Articles nearly impossible.

No Power to Tax Weakness

The national government could not raise revenue directly.

No Exclusive Power to Coin Money Weakness

States printing their own money created economic instability.

No Power to Regulate Trade Weakness

States could impose tariffs on each other, harming the economy.

No Power to Raise Army Weakness

The government depended on states to supply troops.

No Executive Branch Weakness

There was no leader to enforce laws.

No Judicial Branch Weakness

There was no national court system to interpret laws.

Why Government Was Originally Weak

States feared centralized authority.

Shays’ Rebellion

A rebellion of Massachusetts farmers protesting debt and taxes.

Why Farmers Were Upset

They faced high taxes and debt and risked losing their land.

Why Shays’ Rebellion Made States Nervous

It showed the national government could not maintain order.

What Shays’ Rebellion Revealed

The Articles were too weak to maintain stability.

Rhode Island - Convention

Rhode Island did not send delegates.

President of Convention

George Washington.

Constitution Draft Writer

James Madison.

Popular Sovereignty

Power to rule belongs to the people.

Limited Government

Government power is restricted by law.

Separation of Powers

Government divided into legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

Checks and Balances

Each branch can limit the power of the others.

Federalism

Division of power between national and state governments.

Judicial Review

The Supreme Court’s power to declare laws unconstitutional.

Virginia Plan

Proposed a bicameral legislature with representation based on population.

New Jersey Plan

Proposed a unicameral legislature with equal representation per state.

Bicameral

A legislature with two houses.

Great Compromise

Created a bicameral Congress with House based on population and Senate equal representation.

Three-Fifths Compromise

Enslaved people counted as three-fifths for representation and taxation.

Tax on Exports

Congress could not tax exports.

Tax on Imports

Congress could tax imports.

Term for Tax on Imports

Tariff.

Regulate Interstate Trade

Congress could regulate trade between states.

Electoral College

A system in which electors chosen by states formally select the president.

Presidential Term Length

Four years.

Supremacy Clause

Federal law is superior to conflicting state laws.

Necessary and Proper Clause

Allows Congress to pass laws needed to carry out its enumerated powers.

Why Ratifying Conventions Were Used

To ensure approval came directly from the people.

States Needed to Ratify

Nine out of thirteen states.

Anti-Federalists

Opposed the Constitution because it lacked a Bill of Rights and gave too much power to the national government.

Why Anti-Federalists Wanted Bill of Rights

To protect individual liberties.

Federalists

Supported the Constitution and believed it created a strong but balanced government.

Why Federalists Thought Bill of Rights Was Unnecessary

They believed the Constitution already limited government power.

Federalist Papers

Essays written to persuade states to ratify the Constitution, especially New York.

Amendment Proposal Method 1

Two-thirds vote of both houses of Congress.

Amendment Proposal Method 2

National convention called by two-thirds of state legislatures.

Amendment Ratification Method 1

Approval by three-fourths of state legislatures.

Amendment Ratification Method 2

Approval by three-fourths of state conventions.

Why Amendment Process Improved

It did not require unanimous approval like the Articles.

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments that protect individual freedoms.

Example - First Amendment

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

Historical Reason for First Amendment

Colonists experienced restrictions on speech and religion under British rule.