constiution[' Flashcards
Ratification of the Constitution
required 9 out of 13 states to ratify (approve) it to become law.
Second Amendment
Right to bear arms
Third Amendment
No quartering of soldiers
Land Ordinance of 1785
Organized land for division and sale in the Northwest Territory.
Northwest Ordinance of 1787
Organized the territory for governing and statehood in the Northwest Territory.
George Washington
Presided over the Constitutional Convention
James Madison
Father of the Constitution
Virginia Plan
“Large state” proposal for the new constitution, calling for proportional representation in both houses of a bicameral Congress. The plan favored larger states and thus prompted smaller states to come back with their own plan for apportioning representation.
Democracy
Democracy
A political system in which the supreme power lies in a body of citizens who can elect people to represent them
Federalists
Presided over the Constitutional Convention
Federalists
A term used to describe supporters of the Constitution during ratification debates in state legislatures.
Rope of Sand
Nickname for the Articles of Confederation
Tenth Amendment
Powers not given to the federal government are reserved for the states
Ninth Amendment
Guarantees rights not specifically listed belong to the people
Eigth Amendment
No cruel and unusual punishment and no excessive bail
Seventh Amendmen
Right to a trial by jury in civil cases
Sixth Amendment
Speedy and public trial, right to counsel, right to call witnesses, informed of your charges, right to face your accuser.
Fifth Amendment
No double jeopardy, no self incrimination, eminent domain, due process and grand jury trial.
Fourth Amendment
Protects against unreasonable search and seizure
Antifederalists
Opponents of ratification of the Constitution and of a strong central government and wanted a Bill of Rights
Preamble to the Constitution
We the People of the United States, in Order to 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 to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
Republic
A form of government in which citizens choose their leaders by voting
Great Compromise
Compromise made by Constitutional Convention in which states would have equal representation in one house of the legislature and representation based on population in the other house
Separation of Powers
Constitutional division of powers among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, with the legislative branch making law, the executive applying and enforcing the law, and the judiciary interpreting the law. Keeping one from becoming too powerful.
3/5 Compromise
the decision at the Constitutional convention to count slaves as 3/5 of a person for the purpose of deciding the population and determining how many seats each state would have in Congress
George Mason
Father of the Bill of Rights
Shay’s Rebellion
500 rebels shut down courthouses. 1200 rebels attack federal arsenal to gain guns and march on Boston Gov’t. Mass. Militia responds. Rebellion ends.
Unicameral
Single house, members elected by the people.
Concentrated power, bills pass more quickly.
Bicameral
Two houses, like a Senate and House of Representatives.
Balanced the power of common people with power of wealthy elite. Bills pass slowly.
First Amendment
5 freedoms: speech, press, religion, assembly, petition
Third Amendment
No quartering of soldiers
