The Constitution

Question 1

Democracy

Answer 1

A style of government where power comes from the consent of the governed. Originated in Athens, Greece between (750 B.C. and 550 B.C.)

Question 2

Republic

Answer 2

Originating from Ancient Rome, elected officials are voted into office to represent the views of others. Also known as representative democracy.

Question 3

Writ of Habeas Corpus

Answer 3

An order stating that accused individuals must be brought before a court when accused of a crime. The court must be presented with evidence in order to convict any individual of a crime. Prevents the government from arresting and imprisoning individuals without a fair trial.

Question 4

Enlightenment

Answer 4

The philosophical movement in Europe that encourage logic and reason to find solutions to political issues. These philosophers (John Locke, Baron de Montesquieu, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, and Voltaire) heavily influenced democratic governments in Europe and the United States.

Question 5

Social Contract

Answer 5

A dynamic describe by Enlightenment philosophers declaring that government’s power is derived from the people and that the government’s main goal is to protect the natural rights of its citizens. The people have a right to replace any government that fails to live up to these responsibilities.

Question 6

English Bill of Rights

Answer 6

A document created by the English Parliament after a long power struggle with the monarchy that placed limits on the power of the king and established protected for the rights of individuals.

Question 7

John Peter Zenger Trial

Answer 7

1735 court case that helped to later establish freedom of the press in the United States after a German immigrant (Zenger) was tried for exposing the corruption of a government official in the paper. Zenger was found innocent, under the context of freedom of expression, since what he had printed was true.

Question 8

Mayflower Compact

Answer 8

1620 document that the colonists signed when first arriving at the new world. It stated that the colonists would be ruled by a government they created. This was one of the first steps towards self-government.

Question 9

House of Burgesses

Answer 9

One of the 1st law making bodies in the colonies that helped to establish the concept of representative government and self-rule.

Question 10

Separation of Powers

Answer 10

The government is divided into three branches, legislative, executive and judicial. Designed to prevent a small group of people from having too much power. Branches keep each other in check.

Question 11

Articles of Confederation

Answer 11

The first constitution of the United States after the American Revolution was won. Created a weak national government and gave too much power to the states. The colonists feared to give too much power to the national government based on their experiences with the British monarchy. Eventually, this document would be replaced by the Constitution.

Question 12

Constitutional Convention

Answer 12

55 delegates representing all states except Rhode Island met in Philadelphia, PA in 1787 to fix the Articles of Confederation. Ultimately, the Articles would be replaced by a brand new Constitution.

Question 13

The Great Compromise

Answer 13

Also known as the Connecticut Plan, this created a bicameral legislature where one house (the Senate) would provide equal representation for all states and the other house (the House of Representatives) would grant representation based on each state’s population.

Question 14

Three-Fifths Compromise

Answer 14

Three-fifths of every slave would be counted for the purposes of congressional representation in each state.

Question 15

Commerce Compromise

Answer 15

Compromise stating that no export duties could be passed by Congress and that slavery could not be outlawed for the next 20 years.

Question 16

Presidency Compromise

Answer 16

a four year term for the presidency was established along with the Electoral College, which would select the president indirectily.

Question 17

Federalists

Answer 17

called for ratification of the new Constitution and supported the creation of a strong national government.

Question 18

Anti-Federalists

Answer 18

Opposed ratification of the new Constitution and called for increased states and individual rights.

Question 19

The Federalist Papers

Answer 19

Pro-Ratification papers created by Alexander Hamilton to convince Americans to support the ratification of the new Constitution.

Question 20

Bill of Rights

Answer 20

The first ten amendments of the Constitution that protect the basic natural rights all citizens are entitled to.

Question 21

Preamble to the Constitution

Answer 21

The introduction to the Constitution that outlines the reasons why it was created. These include creating a country that is safe, just and protects its citizens and their natural rights.

Question 22

Popular Sovereignty

Answer 22

The concept that the government’s power is derived from the people and their democratic voice.

Question 23

Federal System

Answer 23

The division of power between the national and state government.

Question 24

Checks and Balances

Answer 24

Each branch of government has a way to check or control decisions made by the other branches. This prevents one branch from gaining too much power.

Question 25

The Elastic Clause

Answer 25

Congress can make all laws that are “necessary and proper” for carrying out tasks in the Constitution.

Question 26

The Amendment Process

Answer 26

The Constitution can be formally changed if the alteration is approved by both Congress and the states.

Question 27

Judicial Interpretation

Answer 27

The Supreme Court and other lower Federal Courts have the power to review laws in order to determine if they conflict with the Constitution.

Question 28

Unwritten Constitution

Answer 28

Actions, decisions, customs and traditions followed by the branches of government that are not formally written in the Constitution. This allows for flexibility.

Question 29

Supremacy Clause

Answer 29

Declares that Federal laws supersede state laws when disputes occur.

Question 30

Delegated Powers

Answer 30

Powers that the National government have and that are spelled out in the Constitution.

Question 31

Implied Powers

Answer 31

Powers of the national government that are not specifically stated in the Constitution but are implied. For example, child labor laws are not written in the Constitution but they are implied as a responsibility of the national government since its the national government’s responsibility to regulate interstate commerce.

Question 32

Denied Powers

Answer 32

Powers that are denied to the national government (like the power to tax on exports.) Certain powers are also denied to the states, like the power to coin money. The denial of someone’s right to vote would be denied to both the national and state governments.

Question 33

Concurrent Powers

Answer 33

The power that belongs to both the national and state governments, such as the power to tax.

Question 34

Reserved Powers

Answer 34

All powers not given to the national government and also not denied to the states belong to the states

Question 35

Filibuster

Answer 35

When a Senator talks for an unlimited amount of time to prevent legislation from being passed.

Question 36

1st Amendment

Answer 36

Guarantees freedom of religion, speech, and of the press; the right to assemble peacefully; and the right to petition the government.

Question 37

2nd Amendment

Answer 37

Protects the right to possess firearms

Question 38

3rd Amendment

Answer 38

Declares that the government may not require people to house soldiers during peacetime.

Question 39

4th Amendment

Answer 39

Protects people from unreasonable searches and seizures.

Question 40

5th Amendment

Answer 40

Includes protection against self-incrimination and double jeopardy; guarantees due process of law.

Question 41

6th Amendment

Answer 41

Guarantees the rights to a speedy, public trial, to confront witnesses, and to legal counsel.

Question 42

7th Amendment

Answer 42

Guarantees the rights to trial by jury in most civil cases.

Question 43

8th Amendment

Answer 43

Prohibits excessive bail, fines, and cruel and unusual punishments

Question 44

9th Amendment

Answer 44

Declares that rights not mentioned in the Constitution belong to the people

Question 45

10th Amendment

Answer 45

Declares that powers not given to the national government belong to the states and to the people.