A system where power is divided between the national and state governments.

A meeting held in 1787 to address problems in governing the United States under the Articles of Confederation.

An agreement during the Constitutional Convention that established a two-house legislature, balancing representation between large and small states.

The first ten amendments to the United States Constitution that guarantee individual rights.

A compromise reached during the Constitutional Convention that determined how enslaved individuals would be counted for taxation and representation purposes.

A rebellion in 1786 led by farmers in Massachusetts protesting against economic injustices and the lack of government response.

A system that ensures that each branch of government has the power to limit the actions of the other branches.

This principle of government asserts that the authority of the government is created and sustained by the consent of its people.

A document written by James Madison and others that argued for the ratification of the U.S. Constitution.

A plan proposed at the Constitutional Convention that favored larger states by allocating legislative representation based on population.

This branch of government is responsible for making laws.

This amendment protects individuals from unreasonable searches and seizures by requiring a warrant to be issued based on probable cause.

This principle ensures that government powers are divided into three separate branches: legislative, executive, and judicial.

This process involves the formal approval of the Constitution or amendments, requiring a majority vote by the states.

This historical document outlined the framework of the first national government of the United States, created in 1781.

This branch of government is responsible for interpreting laws and determining their constitutionality.

This amendment guarantees the right to bear arms.

This amendment addresses the right to a speedy trial and the right to counsel.

This agreement defined how western lands would be organized and set up for settlement and governance.

This term refers to a group of representatives chosen to speak on behalf of people at conventions or legislative assemblies.

This principle restricts government power by ensuring that it is not absolute, and is instead limited by laws and the Constitution.

This term refers to the process by which changes or additions can be made to the Constitution.

This term describes a form of government in which representatives are elected to make decisions on behalf of the people.

This document serves as the introduction to the Constitution, stating the purpose and guiding principles of the government.

This term refers to a political group that opposed the ratification of the Constitution and advocated for more power to be retained by the states.

This term refers to the writings that supported the ratification of the Constitution, authored by figures like Alexander Hamilton and James Madison.

This term refers to the distribution of power among the three branches of government: legislative, executive, and judicial.

This amendment protects citizens from being forced to house soldiers in their homes during peacetime.

This term refers to the powers specifically granted to the national government by the Constitution.

This amendment guarantees the right to free speech, press, religion, assembly, and petition.

This term refers to the division of government responsibilities into distinct branches to prevent any one group from wielding too much power.

This plan proposed at the Constitutional Convention aimed to provide equal representation for each state, regardless of population size.

This body of government is responsible for enforcing laws and is headed by the President of the United States.

This system allows for the sharing of government responsibilities between national and state governments.

This term refers to the concept of government being limited in its powers, often to protect individual freedoms.

This term refers to the rights and freedoms that individuals have which are protected from government infringement.

This term refers to a formal introduction to a legal document, outlining its intent and guiding principles.

This term refers to the process of proposing and approving changes to the Constitution.

This term describes the principle that divides the power of government into three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial, each with its own responsibilities.

This system is designed to prevent any branch of government from becoming too powerful by allowing each branch to limit the powers of the others.

This term refers to the political philosophy that the authority of the government is created and sustained by the consent of its people, often through voting.

This term describes the act of ratifying or approving a proposed law or constitutional amendment.

This term refers to the legislative proposal put forth at the Constitutional Convention that aimed for representation based solely on state population.

This term refers to the branch of government responsible for interpreting the law and administering justice.

This term refers to the principle of government where powers are divided among different levels, ensuring that each level can govern itself.

This term describes the practice of ensuring that individual freedoms and rights are protected against government infringement.

This term refers to the formal statement of the goals and purposes of the United States Constitution, introduced at the beginning of the document.

This term refers to the rights that are specifically reserved to the states or the people if not delegated to the federal government.

This term refers to a political philosophy advocating a strong national government and the ratification of the Constitution.

This term refers to the powers that are shared by both the national and state governments.

This term describes the agreement that established the process for admitting new states to the Union and set rules for territories.