WESTERN GOVERNOR UNIVERSITY (WGU) Western Governors
University) |COLLEGE OF BUSINESS / GENERAL EDUCATION
STUDIES| AMERICAN POLITICS AND THE U.S. CONSTITUTION –
C963
Objective assessment (OA) Examination – [2025/2026
Academic year]
Constitution
A document which spells out the principles by which a government runs and the fundamental
laws that govern a society
Bill of Rights
The first ten amendments to the Constitution
Declaration of Independence
the document recording the proclamation of the second Continental Congress (4 July 1776)
asserting the independence of the colonies from Great Britain
Thomas Jefferson
Wrote the Declaration of Independence
1|Page
,Shays's Rebellion (1786-1787)
which almost resulted in potential mob rule, suggested there might be too much democracy at
play, and that maybe individual liberty was going too far
Articles of Confederation
A weak constitution that governed America during the Revolutionary War.
Federalist no. 51
Argues that separation of powers within the national government is the best way to prevent the
concentration of power in the hands of one person or a single group.
First Amendment
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free
exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people
peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
Second Amendment
Right to keep and bear arms
Third Amendment
2|Page
,The government may not house soldiers in private homes without consent of the owner
Forth Amendment
It protects people against unfair searches of their homes; search and seizure.
Fifth Amendment
A constitutional amendment designed to protect the rights of persons accused of crimes,
including protection against double jeopardy, self-incrimination, and punishment without due
process of law.
Sixth Amendment
Right to a speedy and public trial
Seventh Amendment
Right to a trial by jury in civil cases
Eighth Amendment
No cruel and unusual punishment
Nineth Amendment
people rights are not just limited to those listed in the Constitution and Bill of Rights
3|Page
, Tenth Amendment
Amendment stating that the powers not delegated to the federal gov. are reserved to the states
bicameral legislature
A law making body made of two houses (bi means 2). Example: Congress (our legislature) is
made of two house - The House of Representatives and The Senate.
House of Representatives
the lower house of Congress, consisting of a different number of representatives from each
state, depending on population
New Jersey Plan
Proposal to create a weak national government
Virginia Plan
Proposal to create a strong national government
Constitutional Convention
Meeting in 1787 of the elected representatives of the thirteen original states to write the
Constitution of the United States.
4|Page
University) |COLLEGE OF BUSINESS / GENERAL EDUCATION
STUDIES| AMERICAN POLITICS AND THE U.S. CONSTITUTION –
C963
Objective assessment (OA) Examination – [2025/2026
Academic year]
Constitution
A document which spells out the principles by which a government runs and the fundamental
laws that govern a society
Bill of Rights
The first ten amendments to the Constitution
Declaration of Independence
the document recording the proclamation of the second Continental Congress (4 July 1776)
asserting the independence of the colonies from Great Britain
Thomas Jefferson
Wrote the Declaration of Independence
1|Page
,Shays's Rebellion (1786-1787)
which almost resulted in potential mob rule, suggested there might be too much democracy at
play, and that maybe individual liberty was going too far
Articles of Confederation
A weak constitution that governed America during the Revolutionary War.
Federalist no. 51
Argues that separation of powers within the national government is the best way to prevent the
concentration of power in the hands of one person or a single group.
First Amendment
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free
exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people
peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
Second Amendment
Right to keep and bear arms
Third Amendment
2|Page
,The government may not house soldiers in private homes without consent of the owner
Forth Amendment
It protects people against unfair searches of their homes; search and seizure.
Fifth Amendment
A constitutional amendment designed to protect the rights of persons accused of crimes,
including protection against double jeopardy, self-incrimination, and punishment without due
process of law.
Sixth Amendment
Right to a speedy and public trial
Seventh Amendment
Right to a trial by jury in civil cases
Eighth Amendment
No cruel and unusual punishment
Nineth Amendment
people rights are not just limited to those listed in the Constitution and Bill of Rights
3|Page
, Tenth Amendment
Amendment stating that the powers not delegated to the federal gov. are reserved to the states
bicameral legislature
A law making body made of two houses (bi means 2). Example: Congress (our legislature) is
made of two house - The House of Representatives and The Senate.
House of Representatives
the lower house of Congress, consisting of a different number of representatives from each
state, depending on population
New Jersey Plan
Proposal to create a weak national government
Virginia Plan
Proposal to create a strong national government
Constitutional Convention
Meeting in 1787 of the elected representatives of the thirteen original states to write the
Constitution of the United States.
4|Page
