People who opposed the Constitution. They favored local government that was controlled more closely by the people. George Mason and Patrick Henry were among their number.

A French writer who declared that the powers of government should be separated and balanced against each other. This separation would prevent any one person or group from gaining too much power. The framers of the Constitution carefully spelled out and divided the powers of the government.

A person who owes loyalty to a nation and is entitled to its protection. For the most part, anyone born in the U.S. is automatically a citizen. Someone born outside the U.S. can become a citizen through naturalization.

The president and his cabinet. You must be 35 years old. A president serves a 4-year term before running for reelection. Per the 22nd Amendment, you can only serve two terms. They enforce or carry out the laws.

People who supported the new Constitution like Madison and Hamilton. They took this name to stress that the Constitution would create a system of federalism, a government in which power is divided between the national government and the states.

He was an Anti-Federalists who proposed a bill of rights to the Constitution. At first the delegates rejected the idea. He refused to sign the Constitution unless a bill of rights was included.

He was elected president of the Constitutional Convention. Having him there helped the public support the convention.

He was a keen supporter of a strong national government. He read many books in preparation for the convention and kept many records of the convention's work. Because he is the author of the basic plan of government, he is known as the "Father of the Constitution."

The Supreme Court and lower courts. There are nine justices who are appointed by the president. They serve for life. They interpret the laws.

An English philosopher who claimed that all people have natural rights including life, liberty and property. He said government is based on an agreement between people and their government.

The House of Representatives and the Senate. You must be 25 to be a House member and 30 for the Senate. House members serve for 2 years and the Senate for 6 years before their position is up for reelection. They make the laws.

An avid anti-federalists from Virginia. He feared the Constitution did not place enough limits on government power. He boycotted the convention saying, “I smell a rat.” (Something’s not quite right…)

The year that the Constitution was ratified in Philadelphia.

A meeting of 55 delegates in Philadelphia to revise the Articles of Confederation. However, it became increasingly clear that a new constitution was needed.

Unable to pay their taxes and debts, many farmers rose up and challenged the new government. They were defeated by the militia but concern grew that the current government could not handle unrest. It was clear to many, the Articles needed revision.

This amendment includes freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly and petition.

The amendment that includes the right to bear arms.

The amendment that prohibits the quartering of soldiers.

This amendment prohibits unreasonable searches or seizures, must have a warrant with probable cause.

This amendment includes the right to remain silent, no double jeopardy, due process by law, and you can’t have property seized without just compensation.

This amendment includes the right to a speedy trial in criminal cases, you must be tried where the crime was committed, right to counsel.

This amendment includes the right to a trial by jury in civil cases where the cost exceeds $20.

This amendment includes the prohibition of excessive bail and cruel or unusual punishment.

This amendment was James Madison’s attempt to ensure that the Bill of Rights was not seen as granting to the people of the United States only the specific rights it addressed.

This amendment states that the powers not delegated to the federal government are reserved to the states.

A change in the Constitution. This can be proposed in two ways: 2/3 of both the House and Senate or at a convention called by 2/3 of the states. This can be ratified in two ways: 3/4 of the state legislatures or by 3/4 of the convention in the states. The framers included this processes so the Constitution could adapt with the growing nation.

The first constitution of the United States drawn up soon after declaring independence. It had a weak central government which could declare war and negotiate treaties but they could not collect taxes or regulate trade. Its weakness would cause issues in the young country.

At the convention, many delegates feared that without this the new national government might abuse its power. Initially its inclusion was rejected with delegates saying that the Constitution defined government powers and provided enough protection of Individual rights.

According to this the Northern states agreed to not interfere with the slave trade for 20 years (till 1808) and runaway slaves must be returned to the South. Imported slaves would also be taxed but there would be no tax on exports like tobacco.

The New Government of the U.S. Ratified on September 17, 1787. Shays' Rebellion, trade issues, lack of strength in government all contributed to the scraping of the Articles and the creation of a new constitution. It contains seven principles and later the Bill of Rights.

This document contained a series of grievances that are later addressed in the Constitution and the Bill or Rights.

Written in 1689, this set up clear limits on a ruler’s powers. They stated that the ruler could not suspend Parliament’s laws, impose taxes or raise an army without Parliament’s consent. This influenced such Constitutional rights such as a trial by jury and the idea that only congress can impose taxes.

Written in 1215, this “Great Charter” gave English people protection against unjust treatment or punishment. The framers borrowed this idea and established freedom from “cruel and unusual” punishment in the Constitution.

Written by Hamilton and Madison to win support for the Constitution. They reminded Americans of the flaws in the Articles of Confederation. They claimed that the United States would not survive without a strong national government.

Proposed by Roger Sherman, this would settle the issues between the large and small states. There would be two houses, the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Senate would be based on equality while the House would be based on population.

It created the Northwest Territory and provided property rights for settlers. It provided the model for the orderly expansion of new states. It guaranteed many rights to the citizens but there would be no slavery there.

The North and the South agreed to count every 5 slaves as 3 free persons for both representation and taxation.

Lands set up by the Northwest Ordinance from the lands North of the Ohio River and east of the Mississippi River.

The location of the Constitutional Convention during the hot summer of 1787.

The principle where each branch of government has ways to check, or limit, the power of the other branches. No single branch can gain too much power in the government. Montesquieu came up with this idea.

The principle that separates the government into three different branches, legislative, executive and judicial. Each branch has different, and limited powers, duties and responsibilities. Legislative makes laws, Executive enforces laws, and the Judicial interprets the laws.

The Principle that divided the national government between the state and federal government. Some powers are carried out by the federal government (enumerated), some at the state levels (reserved), and still others are shared (concurrent).

The principle in which the powers of the government are strictly defined. The government has only those powers that are given to it by the people. Everyone, including the president, has to follow the law. [

The responsibilities of a countries citizens including obeying laws, paying taxes, sitting on juries, registering for the draft and voting. Other responsibilities are more personal including supporting your family, getting an education and being informed about public issues.

Fair treatment through the normal judicial system, especially as a citizen's entitlement. The government must follow established procedures when taking action against a citizen.

Tyrannical acts of the king that were addressed in the Bill of Rights. Whereas the king had absolute power, congress can override presidential veto. Quartering of soldiers brought about the 3rd Amendment, no quartering. The British were allowed to search homes without warrants but the 4th Amendment prevents this.

The process of becoming an American citizen for those who were born outside of the U.S. The process includes being 18, having a basic knowledge of U.S. history and swearing allegiance to the U.S.

The principle that recognizes people's fundamental rights and basic liberties promised in the Bill of Rights such as freedom of speech and press.

People rule. The principle that the power of the government lies with the people. "the right of the people to rule."

Approval of the Constitution. The Constitution would go into effect with the approval of 9 of 13 states.

The principle that includes the idea that the power is held by the people and their elected representatives. Citizens have the power to choose their representatives.