US Constitution and Bill of Rights Flashcards

Grade 8 · Social Studies · Flashcards

Essential terms and concepts for the US Constitution, its structure, and the Bill of Rights.

Flashcards

Articles of Confederation

America's first constitution (1781-1789) — too weak to tax or enforce laws; replaced by the Constitution

Constitutional Convention (1787)

Meeting of 55 delegates in Philadelphia that wrote the US Constitution

Separation of Powers

Division of government into legislative (laws), executive (enforcement), and judicial (interpretation) branches

Checks and Balances

Each branch has powers to limit the other two — prevents any branch from becoming too powerful

Federalism

Division of power between the federal government and state governments

Great Compromise

Created bicameral Congress: Senate with equal state seats, House with population-based seats

Three-Fifths Compromise

Counted enslaved people as 3/5 of a person for population — gave Southern states more congressional power

Bill of Rights

First 10 amendments to the Constitution protecting individual rights — ratified 1791

1st Amendment

Protects freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly, and petition

2nd Amendment

Protects the right to bear arms

4th Amendment

Protects against unreasonable searches and seizures; requires warrants based on probable cause

5th Amendment

Right against self-incrimination; requires due process before government takes life, liberty, or property

6th Amendment

Right to a speedy trial, jury of peers, and legal counsel

Judicial Review

Supreme Court's power to declare laws unconstitutional — established in Marbury v. Madison (1803)

James Madison

'Father of the Constitution' who also wrote the Bill of Rights

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