Constitution Test on 11/21

_______ states refused and threatened to walk out, forcing the issue to be settled at a later date

southern

where was the constitutional convention held?

in Philadelphia

When it came to counting slaves toward population, the _____________ was created. according to this, for every 5 slaves, 3 would count towards a states’ population.

3/5 compromise

At the Constitutional Convention, it was decided that a President would be elected by an Electoral College to serve a ___ year term.

4

who created the new jersey plan?

who would support it?

how many houses would make up the house legislature?

how would representation be determined?

william patterson

small

1 - unicameral

equal rep.

who created the virginia plan?

who would support it?

how many houses would make up the house legislature?

how would representation be determined?

james madison

big

2

population

who created the Connecticut plan?

who would support it?

how many houses would make up the house legislature?

how would representation be determined?

rodger sherman

both

2

Senate —> equal rep

h.o.r —> population

who argued that the constitution did not need a bill of rights (rights to citizens)?

federalists

who refused to ratify the constitution without a bill of rights - did not guarantee citizens any specific rights?

anti-feds

who were the 3 main federalists?

james madison, Alexander hamilton, John jay

who were the 3 main anti-feds?

patrick Henry, Samuel Adams, George mason

the constitution gives the federal government enough power to overpower the states!

anti-feds

it will not be possible for the federal government to overpower the states, because the states are a necessary part of the federal government!

federalists

the constitution contains no bill of rights to protect individual liberties like the freedom of speech, trial by jury, and the right against searches and seizures!

anti-feds

the constitution says the federal laws are “the supreme law of the land,” so the federal government could just take complete control!

anti-feds

nothing in the constitution says the federal government has power to limit peoples’ freedoms in the first place!

feds

the president created by the constitution is really just a king!

anti-feds

a strong president is necessary to protect the country against foreign attack and make sure laws are carried out properly!

feds

the supreme court is the weakest branch of government because it doesn’t control the military and can’t pass laws!

feds

the United States is too large to have a central government. people won’t know their leaders and will lose control over the government.

anti-feds

the constitution is a bill of rights because it guarantees citizens a role in government!

feds

what is popular sovereignty?

all government power comes from the people

define checks and balances

designed to prevent the emergence of a single domineering center of power

examples of “checks” made on the government to ensure one branch does not control the entire goverment

1. congress has the power to enact laws, the president may veto the law

2. president nominates judges, senate must approve them

3. 2/3 in both houses of Congress can override the president’s veto

define seperation of powers

3 branches of government with different responsibilities to prevent misuse of power

what power does the legislative branch have and who makes up this branch

power: enacts laws

who: Senate + H.O.R

what power does the executive branch have and who makes up this branch?

power: carries out the laws

who: president + vice president

what power does the judicial branch have and who makes up this branch?

power: enforces laws

who: supreme court

what system of government divides power between national and state governments?

federalism

what powers does the national government have?

print money, declare war, provide an army and navy, establish a post office, make rules about trade between states+nations

what powers does the state government have?

issue drivers and marriage licenses, make rules about a business inside the state, run public schools, establish local governments, provide police and emergency service

what powers do both the national government and state government share?

protect public health and safety, charter banks, collect taxes, establish courts, borrow money, make and enforce laws

what is the electoral college?

a group of individuals who are actually responsible for electing the president of the U.S.

____ Senate seats + ____ H.O.R seats + ____ seats for Washington D.C. = 538 electoral votes

100, 435, 3

how many total amendments are in the constitution?

27

who was considered the father of the constitution?

james madison

the first official government of the united states of America was…

the articles of confederation

under the articles of confederation, the national government had the power to do all of the following except:

a. declare war

b. make peace

c. collect taxes

d. borrow money

c. collect taxes

what was considered to be the only success of the articles of confederation?

northwest ordinance of 1787

under the articles of confederation, the national government did not have the power to do any of the following except:

a. control foreign and domestic trade

b. amend the articles unless all 13 states agreed

c. force the states to do anything

d. make treaties with native americans

d. make treaties with native americans

in 1786, a group of farmers in western Massachusetts revolted against the government because of the high taxes in an event known as…

shay’s rebellion

list problems of the articles of confederation:

can’t collect taxes, can’t raise an army, can’t enforce laws, can’t enforce treaties, no national court system