U.S. History Unit 3: Articles of Confederation & Constitution (3-1 to 3-3)

What were the Articles of Confederation?

The first plan for the U.S. national government.

Who created the Articles of Confederation?

The Continental Congress.

What branch existed under the Articles?

Only the legislative branch (Congress).

Which two branches were missing under the Articles?

The executive and judicial branches.

Who had most of the power under the Articles?

The state governments.

Was the federal government strong under the Articles?

No, it was very weak.

Could Congress collect taxes under the Articles?

No, Congress could not tax.

What law from 1787 explained how territories became states?

The Northwest Ordinance.

What did the Northwest Ordinance of 1787 do?

Explained how territories could become states.

What did the Northwest Ordinance ban in the Northwest Territory?

Slavery.

What major problem affected the U.S. economy in the 1780s?

The economy struggled, causing turmoil.

Who was Daniel Shays?

A Massachusetts farmer and Revolutionary War veteran.

Why did Daniel Shays lead a rebellion?

To protest debt, taxation, and Massachusetts courts.

What did Shays’s Rebellion show people?

The need for a stronger federal government.

What was the Constitutional Convention?

A meeting to address problems with the Articles.

Where was the Constitutional Convention held?

Philadelphia.

How many delegates met at the Constitutional Convention?

55 delegates.

Who was chairman of the Constitutional Convention?

George Washington.

Name three other leaders at the Convention.

Benjamin Franklin, James Madison, and Alexander Hamilton.

What did delegates decide the nation needed?

A stronger federal government.

What did states want to protect at the Convention?

Their representation in the new government.

What did the Virginia Plan propose?

Representation based on state population.

Which states benefited most from the Virginia Plan?

States with larger populations.

What did the New Jersey Plan propose?

Equal representation for every state.

Which states benefited most from the New Jersey Plan?

States with smaller populations.

What solved the debate over representation?

The Great Compromise.

What did the Great Compromise create?

A two-house (bicameral) Congress.

What does bicameral mean?

Having two legislative houses.

What are the two houses of Congress?

The Senate and House of Representatives.

How is representation decided in the Senate?

Every state gets two senators.

How is representation decided in the House?

It is based on state population.

What did the Three-Fifths Compromise do?

Counted 3 of every 5 enslaved people for population totals.

Why did delegates create the Three-Fifths Compromise?

To settle a dispute over counting enslaved people for representation.

What new economic powers did Congress receive?

The power to tax and regulate trade.

Until what year could Congress not restrict the slave trade?

1808.

Could escaping to a free state make an enslaved person free?

No, not under the Constitution’s original compromise.

What type of government did the Constitution create?

A republic: citizens elect representatives.

How many branches of government were created?

Three.

What is separation of powers?

Dividing government power among three branches.

What are checks and balances?

Ways each branch can limit the others.

What does the legislative branch do?

Makes laws.

What does the executive branch do?

Enforces laws.

What does the judicial branch do?

Interprets laws.

Who leads the executive branch?

The president.

What is the main national court in the judicial branch?

The Supreme Court.

What can a president do to a bill?

Sign it or veto it.

What can Congress do to a presidential veto?

Override it.

Who appoints federal judges?

The president.

What can courts do to unconstitutional laws?

Declare them unconstitutional.

What system elects the U.S. president?

The Electoral College.

Why was the Electoral College created?

As a compromise because founders feared a direct popular vote.

What determines a state’s number of electors?

Its number of members of Congress.

How many states had to ratify the Constitution?

9 of the 13 states.

Who were the Federalists?

People who supported the Constitution.

Who were the Anti-Federalists?

People who opposed the Constitution.

What were the Federalist Papers?

Essays explaining and supporting the Constitution.

What is the Bill of Rights?

The first 10 amendments to the Constitution.

Who wrote the Bill of Rights?

James Madison.

What two Virginia writings influenced Madison?

Jefferson’s Statute of Religious Freedom and Mason’s Virginia Declaration of Rights.

What is the Constitution called?

The supreme law of the land.

What is the purpose of the Preamble?

To explain the government’s legitimacy and purpose.

What does Article I establish?

The legislative branch (Congress).

What does Article II establish?

The executive branch (president).

What does Article III establish?

The judicial branch (courts).

What does Article IV cover?

Relationships between states and the federal government.

What does Article V explain?

How to amend the Constitution.

What does Article VI establish?

Federal law is supreme.

What does Article VII explain?

Ratification of the Constitution.

How many amendments does the Constitution have in the slides?

27.