Citizenship and the Constitution 1785-Present
History

A diverse group of Americans who opposed the ratification of the 1787 US Constitution
Antifederalists
A diverse group of Americans who opposed the ratification of the 1787 US Constitution. Antifederalists. They were people who wanted more power for the states and feared a too-strong national government.

A system of government in which no branch has more power than any other
Checks and balances
A system of government in which no branch has more power than any other. Checks and balances. Checks and balances is a system that ensures no single branch of government becomes too powerful by allowing each branch to limit the powers of the others.

A defence that prevents an accused one from being tried again on the same charges
Double jeopardy
A defence that prevents an accused one from being tried again on the same charges. Double jeopardy is a legal principle that prohibits someone from being tried twice for the same crime, ensuring fair treatment in the justice system.

A legal requirement that the state must respect all rights that are owed to a person
Due process
A legal requirement that the state must respect all rights that are owed to a person. Due process. In history, due process is the principle that protects individuals from unfair treatment by ensuring fair legal procedures.

The power of a state or the federal government to take private property for public use
Eminent domain
The power of a state or the federal government to take private property for public use. Eminent domain. In history, eminent domain is when the government takes private land to build things like roads or schools for the public.

A combination of a general government with regional governments in a single political system
Federalism
A combination of a general government with regional governments in a single political system. Federalism. In history, federalism is a system where power is shared between a national government and regional or state governments.

A series of essays about the US Constitution, written by Hamilton, Madison and J. Jay
Federalist Papers
A series of essays about the US Constitution, written by Hamilton, Madison and J. Jay. Federalist Papers. The Federalist Papers are documents written to support the ratification of the US Constitution.

An agreement that large and small states established a two-house legislature under the US Constitution
Great Compromise
An agreement that large and small states established a two-house legislature under the US Constitution. Great Compromise. It was a solution that combined parts of the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan to create a balanced system with both a Senate and a House of Representatives.

The process by which a legislative body levels charges against a government official
Impeachment
The process by which a legislative body levels charges against a government official impeachment. Impeachment is when a government official is accused of wrongdoing and put on trial to determine if they should be removed from office.

A body which uses various forms of advocacy in order to influence public opinion
Interest groups
A body which uses various forms of advocacy in order to influence public opinion. Interest groups. In History, interest groups are organizations that try to influence government decisions, often to benefit specific causes or communities.

An act by which a non-citizen of a country may acquire citizenship of that country
Naturalized citizens
An act by which a non-citizen of a country may acquire citizenship of that country. Naturalized citizens. In history, naturalized citizens are people who have been granted citizenship in a country they were not originally born in.

A plan that called for each state to have equal representation in the legislature
New Jersey Plan
A plan that called for each state to have equal representation in the legislature. New Jersey Plan. The New Jersey Plan was a proposal during the U.S. Constitutional Convention that advocated for every state to have the same number of representatives in Congress, regardless of population size.

Pools campaign contributions and donates those funds to campaigns
Political action committee
Pools campaign contributions and donates those funds to campaigns. Political action committee. In U.S. history, a political action committee PAC is an organization that gathers donations to support or oppose political candidates and influence elections.

The authority of a government is created and sustained by its people through elected representatives
Popular sovereignty
The authority of a government is created and sustained by its people through elected representatives. Popular sovereignty. Popular sovereignty is the idea that the people have the ultimate power in a democracy, usually through voting.

A court order that authorizes officers to conduct a search of a person, location, or vehicle
Search warrant
A court order that authorizes officers to conduct a search of a person, location, or vehicle. Search warrant. In history, a search warrant is a legal document that allowed authorities to search someone's property for evidence of a crime.

The compromise counted 3/5 of each state's slaves toward that state's total population
Three-Fifths Compromise
The compromise counted 35 of each state's slaves toward that state's total population. Three-Fifths Compromise. The Three-Fifths Compromise was an agreement during the U.S. Constitutional Convention that allowed a state's enslaved population to count as three-fifths for representation and taxation purposes.

A proposal to the Constitutional Convention for the creation a government with 3 branches equal in power
Virginia Plan
A proposal to the Constitutional Convention for the creation a government with 3 branches equal in power. Virginia Plan. The Virginia Plan was a proposal to establish a strong national government with three branches and a system of proportional representation in Congress.