Key Documents and Concepts of US History

Front

Declaration of Independence

Back

Signed in 1776 by US revolutionaries; it declared the United States as a free state.

Front

Articles of Confederation

Back

the first constitution of the United States

Front

Northwest Ordinance

Back

A law passed by Congress in 1787 that specified how western lands would be governed.

Front

Bill of Rights

Back

The first ten amendments to the Constitution

Front

Federalist Papers

Back

a series of essays written to explain and defend the proposed U.S. Constitution

Front

Constitution

Back

a set of basic principles that determines the powers and duties of a the US government

Front

Weaknesses of the Articles

Back

weak central government, no court system, no economic policies, each state gets one vote

Front

Checks and Balances

Back

used to keep the government from getting too powerful in one branch

Front

Due Process

Back

following established legal procedures; fair treatment through the normal judicial system, especially as a citizen's entitlement.

Front

Federalism

Back

A system in which power is divided between the national and state governments