Foundational Documents Flashcards
What were the key concepts from The Declaration of Independence?
Primarily written by Thomas Jefferson, it is the document that separated the United States from England.
States that all men are created equal and have unalienable rights such as Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.
Also says that the government gets its powers from the consent of the governed (social contract).
What were the key concepts of the Articles of Confederation?
Created government that granted most authority to independent states and limited authority to a week national government.
Unicameral legislature without power to tax, regulate commerce, or raise an army.
Lacked an executive branch to enforce laws and had no national courts to settle issues between states.
What is Article 1 of The Constitution?
The Legislative Branch.
Created a bicameral legislature.
Created qualifications for Congress members and powers of Congress.
Includes Necessary and Proper Clause (Elastic Clause) that creates implied powers.
What is Article 2 of The Constitution?
The Executive Branch.
Describes office, qualifications, term, and powers of President.
Establishes system of presidential electors to choose president.
President is granted responsibility of enforcing law and is thus the commander in chief.
What is Article 3 of The Constitution?
The Judicial Branch.
Creates one supreme court.
Grants Congress power to create additional federal courts.
Federal judges serve for life and can only be removed by impeachment.
What is Article 4 of The Constitution?
Relations Among States.
Sets up Full Faith and Credit Clause (states must respect official actions and records of other states).
Sets up Privileges and Immunities Clause (states may not discriminate unreasonably against citizens of other states).
What is Article 5 of The Constitution?
What is Article 6 of The Constitution?
supremacy clause
What’s the 1st Amendment?
freedom of press, petition, speech, religion, and protest
What’s the 2nd Amendment?
guns
What’s the 4th Amendment?
protects people from unreasonable seizures and searches
What’s the 5th Amendment?
prevents criminal defendants from having to testify
What’s the 6th Amendment?
right to speedy trial, impartial jury,
What’s the 8th Amendment?
no cruel or unusual punishment
What’s the 9th Amendment?
