Constitution

What were the provisions of the Articles of Confederation?

Serve as the first plan of government for the U.S., form a loose union of the states, and give Congress power to make war and peace

Describe the Northwest Ordinance.

Law that divided the NW Territory into smaller territories, each governed by a territorial governor. Once it reached 60,000 people it could apply to become a state.

Why is Shay's Rebellion remembered today?

It shocked Congress into calling for a Constitutional Convention

What were some of the challenges facing the Constitutional Convention?

Interests of large and small states

Describe the delegates at the Constitutional Convention.

55 delegates from 12 states, "well-bred, well-fed, well-read, and well-wed"

Why is James Madison considered to be the "Father of the Constitution"?

his influence on the Constitutional Convention was so great

Why did the rule of secrecy exist?

The delegates wanted to feel free to speak their minds without causing alarm or opposition among the general public. They agreed to keep secret until their work was done.

Describe the Virginia Plan. Be sure to include what kind of states it favored.

Bicameral legislature, 3 branches, representation depended on population, favored large states

Describe the New Jersey Plan. Be sure to include what kind of states it favored.

3 branches, one house, representation based on equal votes, favored small states

What was a similarity between the two plans?

Three branches of government

How were states to be represented in the new government? What was this compromise named?

By both population and equal, the Great Compromise

How were slaves counted? What was this compromise named?

"Three of every five slaves would count for the purposes of representation. 3/5 compromise

Describe the compromise regarding the slave trade. (What did each side have to give up to reach this compromise?)

South would allow Congress to interfere with the slave trade after 20 years. North promised to return any fugitive slaves.

How was the chief executive to be elected?

by electors chosen by the states

Explain the Electoral College.

The Electoral College consists of electors who vote to elect the president & vice president every 4 years. Each state has as many electors in the Electoral College as the # of senators and representatives it sends to Congress.

What does "ratify" mean? How many states had to ratify the Constitution?

To formally approve a plan or an agreement. 9 of the 13 states were needed to ratify the Constitution

What are Federalists?

Supporters of the Constitution

What are Anti-Federalists?

Opponents of the Constitution

How is the Constitution a "living document"?

It has survived for more than 200 years because it combines a strong framework for the government with flexibility.

What is the Preamble and what does it describe?

Introduction to the Constitution that lists the goals for the government.

The first three words of the Preamble tell us that the authority of the Constitution belong to whom?

Ordinary Americans

Describe popular sovereignty.

The idea that the authority of government comes from the people

What does "establish justice" mean?

Justify the creation of federal courts

What does "provide for the common defense" mean?

Keep law-abiding people safe from criminals

What does "insure domestic tranquility" mean

insure peace and order

What does "promote the general welfare" mean?

it could support an economy and society in which people could prosper

Finally, what does "secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity" mean?

secure liberty for our descendants

What is a bicameral legislature and how do we have one?

Two law-making parts (2 house legislature). Congress is made up of the House of Rep. and the Senate

What is the main job of the legislative branch?

Make laws needed for the country

Who has the power to ratify treaties?

The Senate

Who has the power to veto?

The President

What is the term for members of the Senate? What is the term for the House of Representatives?

Senate- 6 year terms, House- 2 year terms

What is representation in the House based upon? What about the Senate? For each, who does it favor? (large or small states)

House- population (favors large states), Senate- equal(favors small states)

How many members are in the House of Representatives? In the Senate?

435, 100

In the Senate, how many years must you be a citizen and what is the minimum age requirement? In the House?

Senate- citizen 9 years & at least 30 years old, House- citizen 7 years & at least 25 years old

What is a proposal for a new law called?

A bill

Describe who can veto and what it is.

President, to reject a proposed law or a bill

A bill cannot become a law until it is...

approved by Congress and signed by the President

Describe the elastic clause.

It gives Congress the power to pass laws needed to carry out its other powers.

What is the most important task of the executive branch?

Enforce and carry out laws

What are the requirements to run for President?

Natural-born American citizen and at least 35 years old

What is the "electoral vote"?

vote from the group of "electors" from each state (This is different than the popular vote which is the vote from the people.)

Name some of the powers of the President.

Veto laws passed by Congress, commander in chief of the nation's military forces, nominates, or recommends, ambassadors and Supreme Court justices, and may grant pardons to people convicted of violating federal (national) laws

How could a president be impeached from office?

The House of Rep. can vote to impeach (formally accuse of a crime related to official duties) the President for "Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors". If the House votes to impeach, the Senate puts the president on trial, with the senators serving as the jury. If found guilty, the president is removed from office.

The judicial branch is responsible for...

"resolving disputes under the law

Which court is the highest in the country?

Supreme Court

The court has two main powers. What are they?

"protecting the Constitution and to resolve disputes that involve national laws, the federal government, or the states

How many justices are on the Supreme Court?

9

How long is their term of the Supreme Court?

life

What kind of cases does the Supreme Court hear?

"A dispute goes directly to the Supreme Court only if it involves a state or an ambassador from another country. Any other case comes to the Supreme Court after a trail and an appeal in lower courts.

What is "judicial review"?

"The Supreme Court's power to declare a law unconstitutional

The framers designed a system of checks and balances to keep...

"any one branch of government from becoming too powerful

"Checks" allow...

one branch to block the actions of another branch

"Balances" allow...

each branch of the government to have some role in the actions and power of the other branches

Understand Federalism and which type of government has certain powers.

Understand the system of checks and balances.