The Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and key amendments in their historical context for AP US History.
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- When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?
- July 4, 1776
- Who was the primary author of the Declaration of Independence?
- Thomas Jefferson
- What are the three unalienable rights listed in the Declaration of Independence?
- Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness
- According to the Declaration of Independence, what is the purpose of government?
- To secure the rights of the people, with power derived from the consent of the governed
- What principle is at the core of the Declaration of Independence regarding the origin of government power?
- Popular sovereignty, the idea that government power comes from the people
- In what year was the Constitution ratified?
- 1788
- How many articles are in the original Constitution?
- Seven
- What are the three branches of government established by the Constitution?
- Legislative (Congress), Executive (President), and Judicial (Supreme Court)
- What is the system of checks and balances?
- A system where each branch of government can limit the powers of the other branches to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful
- According to Article V, how can the Constitution be amended?
- By a two-thirds vote in both houses of Congress and ratification by three-fourths of the state legislatures (or by state conventions)
- What rights does the First Amendment protect?
- Freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition
- What does the Second Amendment protect?
- The right of the people to keep and bear arms
- What does the Third Amendment prohibit?
- Forcing citizens to quarter (house) soldiers in their homes in peacetime
- What protections does the Fourth Amendment provide?
- Protection against unreasonable searches and seizures, and requires a warrant based on probable cause
- What does the Fifth Amendment protect?
- Right against self-incrimination, protection against double jeopardy, due process rights, and prohibition on taking private property without just compensation