Term
Articles of Confederation
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Definition
Articles of Confederation: 1781
America's first government was created during
the American Revolution, but it had too many weaknesses
to be effective - gave too many powers
to states and not enough to the federal government.
Shays' Rebellion would prove the USA needed
a new form of government. |
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Term
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Definition
Shays' Rebellion
Massachusetts farmers led by Daniel Shays took control
of state courts to prevent foreclosures on their farms.
The federal government's inability to stop rebelling farmers
proved the Articles of Confederation needed to be changed.
Led to ratification of the Constitution. |
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Term
Constitutional Convention |
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Definition
Constitutional Convention: 1787
Philadelphia, PA meeting to fix the Articles of Confederation.
Instead of a fix, it was decided to write a brand new document.
The new document became the Constitution of the USA!
It has served the USA for over 200 years! |
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Term
Ratifying the Constitution |
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Definition
Ratifying the Constitution
FEDERALISTS supported the new Constitution with a strong federal government. They also wrote the "Federalist Papers" to gain support for Constitution.
ANTI-FEDERALISTS opposed the new constitution because they said it did not protect individual rights. |
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Term
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Definition
US Constitution
Written in 1787 and Adopted in 1789
-James Madison is often called the Father of the Constitution
-Constitution is often called the "Supreme Law of the Land"
-It established the 3 branches of government and how they work
Three Parts:
1. Preamble: The Introduction
2. Articles: The body, established how each branch works
3. Amendments: Changes made
***First 10 Amendments are the Bill of Rights!*** |
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Term
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Definition
Bill of Rights (The First 10 Amendments)
1. Freedom of Speech, Press, Religion, Petition, & Assembly
2. Right to Bear Arms
3. No Quartering of Soldiers
4. No unreasonable searches without warrant
5. Cannot be forced to testify against yourself
6. Right to speedy trial with a lawyer
7. Right to trial by jury
8. No excessive fines or cruel or unusual punishments
9. Citizens have rights not specifically spelled out
10. Powers not specifically given to governments are the rights of the people |
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Term
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Definition
We the People
The Constitution starts with 3 words,
We The People, because it is the PEOPLE
of the United States
who hold the power in our government. |
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Term
Three Branches of US Government |
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Definition
Three Branches of US Government
The Constitution created a government
with three separate branches.
1. Legislative Branch
2. Executive Branch
3. Judicial Branch |
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Term
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Definition
Legislative Branch
Article 1 of the Constitution
created Congress as our lawmaking body
Congress includes:
The House of Representatives
and
The Senate. |
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Term
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Definition
Executive Branch
Article II of the Constitution
created the office of the President
who executes (or carries out) our laws. |
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Term
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Definition
Judicial Branch
Article IIIof the Constitution created our
court system, headed by the Supreme Court.
They determine if a law is constitutional or not. |
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Term
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Definition
Popular Sovereignty
Principle of the Constitution
that lets the people who live in an area
make decisions for themselves.
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Term
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Definition
Limited Government
Principle of the Constitution
that places limits
on the powers of the government. |
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Term
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Definition
Separation of Powers
Principle of the Constitution
that created three branches of government,
each with different powers and responsibilities. |
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Term
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Definition
Checks and Balances
Principle of the Constitution
that says that each branch can prevent
other branches from doing certain things,
keeping our government in balance. |
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Term
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Definition
Judicial Review
Principle of the Constitution that
gives the Supreme Court the ability
to decide if a law is constitutional
or unconstitutional. |
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Term
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Definition
Federalism
Principle of the Constitution that acknowledges
that there must be a sharing of powers
between the states
and the national government. |
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Term
What was the Magna Carta's
influence on our Constitution? |
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Definition
Magna Carta-1215
The Magna Carta placed limits
on the powers of a ruler, establishing
the idea of a limited government. |
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Term
What influence did the
English Bill of Rights have
on our Constitution? |
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Definition
English Bill of Rights - 1689
The English Bill of Rights led
to the creation of our Bill of Rights to
protect our individual freedoms |
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Term
What impact did the Virginia House of Burgesses
have on our Constitution? |
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Definition
Virginia House of Burgesses - 1619
The Virginia House of Burgesses established
the first elected representative
Government in the New World. |
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Term
What impact did the Mayflower
Compact have on our Constitution? |
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Definition
Mayflower Compact - 1620
The Pilgrims established
the idea of majority
rule and self government. |
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