U.S. Constitution Unit 2: Articles, Principles & Amendments

What were the Articles of Confederation?

The first written plan of government for the United States, creating a loose union of states and establishing a national Congress.

Why were the Articles of Confederation significant?

They revealed problems that led to the Constitution.

What was the structure of the government under the Articles?

A one-house (unicameral) Congress with no separate national executive branch or national court system.

What powers did Congress have under the Articles?

Conduct foreign affairs, make treaties, declare war, maintain an army and navy, borrow money, issue currency, and settle disputes between states.

What could Congress not do under the Articles?

Directly tax people or effectively force states to provide money or troops.

What were states expected to do under the Articles?

Obey Congress's decisions, provide money and troops when requested, and recognize laws of other states.

What were some successes of the Articles of Confederation?

Coordinated the Revolutionary War, secured recognition of American independence, and passed the Land Ordinance of 1785 and Northwest Ordinance of 1787.

What were some failures of the Articles of Confederation?

Inability to tax directly, raise reliable revenue, regulate commerce, enforce decisions, or respond quickly to national problems.

What was Shays' Rebellion?

An armed uprising in Massachusetts by farmers facing debt, leading to calls for a stronger national government.

What happened at the Constitutional Convention in 1787?

Delegates met to revise the Articles but instead developed a new Constitution creating a stronger federal government.

What plan gave more power to state governments?

The New Jersey Plan.

What plan gave more power to the federal government?

The Virginia Plan.

What is the Great Compromise?

It created a bicameral Congress with a House based on population and a Senate with equal representation.

What is the Three-Fifths Compromise?

It counted three-fifths of the enslaved population for representation and direct taxation.

What is the focus of Article I?

The legislative branch—Congress.

What is the focus of Article II?

The executive branch—the president.

What is the focus of Article III?

The judicial branch—the Supreme Court.

What is the focus of Article IV?

Relations among states and recognition of laws and records.

What is the focus of Article V?

The process for proposing and ratifying constitutional amendments.

What is the focus of Article VI?

Federal law's supremacy and the Constitution as the supreme law of the land.

What is the focus of Article VII?

Ratification of the Constitution.

What are the six core principles of the Constitution?

Popular sovereignty, republicanism, limited government, separation of powers, checks and balances, and federalism.

What type of democracy does the United States have?

A representative democracy (a republic).

What is the purpose of the Preamble?

To introduce the Constitution and state its broad goals.

What are implied powers?

Powers not explicitly stated in the Constitution but inferred from its expressed powers.

What is the Necessary and Proper Clause?

It allows Congress to make laws needed to carry out its listed powers.

What is judicial review?

The power of courts to decide if laws or government actions violate the Constitution.

What are checks and balances?

Ways each branch can limit the actions of the others to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful.

What did Federalists believe?

They supported ratifying the Constitution and favored a stronger national government.

What did Anti-Federalists believe?

They opposed ratification due to fears of a strong national government threatening liberty.

What is the process for amending the Constitution?

An amendment can be proposed by a two-thirds vote in both houses or by a convention called by two-thirds of state legislatures.

Is it easy or difficult to create amendments?

It is difficult, requiring broad national support and approval from three-fourths of the states.

What are key amendments to know?

1-10: The Bill of Rights; 12-15: Changes to presidential elections and civil rights; 17-19: Direct election of senators and women's suffrage; 21-22: Repeal of Prohibition and presidential term limits; 24 & 26: Prohibition of poll taxes and lowering voting age to 18.