What to Know About the Government

EARLY GOVERNMENTS

Articles of Confederation
Weakness of the Articles of Confederation

CONSTITUTIONAL COMPROMISES

Virginia Plan
New Jersey Plan
The Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise)
3/5 Compromise
Commerce Compromise (Slave Trade Compromise)

US CONSTITUTION
Constitutional Principles

Popular Sovereignty
Limited Government
Electoral College
Amendment Process

THE FEDERAL SYSTEM

Federalism
Implied Powers		Example:
Reserved Powers		Example:
Concurrent Powers		Example:
Federal Supremacy
Elastic Clause

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

Separation of Powers
Legislative Branch
Executive Branch
Judicial Branch

CHECKS AND BALANCES

Checks and Balances
Congress
President
Supreme Court

FEDERALISTS vs ANTI FEDERALISTS
Anti Federalists
Federalists

AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION

The Amendment Process
Bill of Rights
1st Amendment
2nd Amendment
3rd Amendment
4th Amendment
5th Amendment
6th Amendment
7th Amendment
8th Amendment
9th Amendment
10th Amendment

CIVIL WAR AMENDMENTS

13th Amendment
14th Amendment
15th Amendment

VOTING RIGHTS AMENDMENTS

17th Amendment
19th Amendment
24th Amendment
26th Amendment

INTERPRETING THE CONSTITUTION

Strict Interpretation
States’ Rights
Loose Interpretation
Elastic Clause
Examples of Loose Interpretation
Unwritten Constitution
Examples of Unwritten Constitution