Unit 3--US Constitution Flashcards
Northwest Ordinance
Created in 1787 and forbade slavery and allowed freedom of religion and trial by jury a territory reached a population of 60,000, they could apply to be an equal state in the Union
The Northwest Ordinance included
Laws protecting American’s rights, a plan for the territory to become a state, a law preventing slavery
1st Amendment
Freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly and petition
2nd Amendment
Right to bear arms
3rd Amendment
The government cannot place soldiers in private homes.
4th Amendment
No illegal search and seizure; police need a warrant.
5th Amendment
a person cannot be forced to testify against themselves.
6th Amendment
Right to a speedy, public jury trial; right to have an attorney.
7th Amendment
Right to a jury trial in a lawsuit
when damage is more than $20.
8th Amendment
No cruel and unusual punishment; no excessive bail.
9th Amendment
Rights not specifically given to the government belong to the
people
10th Amendment
Rights not specifically given to the government belong to the states.
The first form of government in America
The Articles of Confederation became the first form of government in America with one branch of government, Congress
The Articles of Confederation weaknesses
No power to tax
No common national currency
States more powerful than national government
The Articles of Confederation strengths
Make treaties
Declare war
Establish post offices
Missouri compromise
a law passed in 1820 to balance the desire for and against slavery in the United States. It admitted Missouri as a slave state while prohibiting slavery in the Louisiana Purchase north of 36°30
Kansas Nebraska act
passed in 1854, organized the territories of Kansas and Nebraska, repealed the Missouri Compromise, and introduced the concept of popular sovereignty, allowing residents to decide on slavery, which ultimately fueled tensions and violence, leading to “Bleeding Kansas” and the Civil War.
The Great Compromise created
bicameral Congress
House of Representatives: number of seats based on population
Senate: 2 representatives from each state for equal representation
The Three-Fifths Compromise
was an agreement between Northerners and Southerners to have 3 out of every 5 slaves count towards a state’s population, representation and taxation
Who and what Federalist do?
Federalists supported the ratification of the Constitution and wrote The Federalist Papers to convince Americans that a more powerful federal government was necessary
3 branches of government
Executive, Judicial, and Legislative
What does the Executive branch do?
Veto legislation, declare states of emergency, nominate judges
prepares and proposes the federal budget for Congress to consider.
Due process ensures what?
Due process ensures fairness in the legal system and guarantees the proper steps will be followed before a person’s rights are taken away
American citizens are expected to do what?
Vote in elections, stay informed of issues, serve on a jury, pay taxes, and obey all laws.
Civic responsibility?
means taking an active role in government and the community to make society better
13th Amendment
Abolishes slavery.
14th Amendment
Grants citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the United States, including former slaves, and ensures equal protection under the law.
15th Amendment
Prohibits the denial of the right to vote based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude
