key figures and concepts from the constitutional convention

1st Amendment

freedom of religion, assembly, petition, press, and speech

2nd Amendment

right to bear arms

3rd Amendment

no quartering of soldiers in times of peace

4th Amendment

no unreasonable searches and seizures

5th Amendment

rights of a person in a criminal trial

6th Amendment

right to a defense/lawyer; speedy & public trial

7th Amendment

protects the right to a trial by jury in civil court cases

8th Amendment

no cruel or unusual punishment; no excessive fines

9th Amendment

rights of the people that aren't listed (right to privacy Griswold v. Connecticut)

10th Amendment

rights of the states that aren't listed; 1st 10 are Bill of Rights.

11th Amendment

lawsuit against states

12th Amendment

election of president and vice president separately

13th Amendment

no more slavery

14th Amendment

civil rights (Mississippi v. Civil Rights Workers)

15th Amendment

black men can vote

16th Amendment

income tax

17th Amendment

direct election of senators

18th Amendment

prohibition

19th Amendment

women can vote

20th Amendment

president takes office Jan. 20

21st Amendment

repeal the 18th amendment

22nd Amendment

can serve no more than 2 terms (10 years)

23rd Amendment

D.C. can vote in Presidential election. Gets 3

24th Amendment

no poll tax

25th Amendment

order of presidential succession

26th Amendment

18 year olds can vote

27th Amendment

representatives can't vote for their own pay raises until a general election

K. Harris

Current VP of the U.S. and President of Senate

J. Dickinson

Delegate from Delaware. A founding father. A of C chair

P. Henry

Opposed the constitution (Anti-federalist) Not a delegate at the constitutional convention. "I smell a rat"

J. Madison

Father of the Constitution, wrote the Bill of Rights

C. Booker

Current NJ Senator

J. Adams

During the constitutional convention was serving as a diplomat in Europe

J. Biden

Current president of the U.S. and Commander in Chief

B. Coleman

NJ representative

R. Sherman

Prevented a stalemate between states during the creation of the U.S. Constitution

E. Randolph

Introduced the Virginia plan

K. Brown Jackson

Associate justice of the Supreme Court

D. Shay

Shay's rebellion protested the weakness of the articles of confederation and called for a stronger government

G. Washington

President of the Constitutional Convention

J. Roberts

Current Chief Justice of the Supreme Court

S. Sotomayor

Associate justice of the supreme court

W. Patterson

Signer of the Constitution, proposed the NJ plan which advocated for equal representation for each state regardless of size

P. Murphy

Current governor of NJ

What is the Constitution?

The Constitution is the country's 'rulebook'. The Constitution is the Supreme Law of the Land. The Constitution outlines the nation's government structure and the rights of its citizens.

When was the Constitution signed?

The Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787.

Articles of Confederation

First attempt at a national government before the Constitution was written. The 1st Constitution.

Bill of Rights

First ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution.

NJ Plan

Proposed each state had an equal vote regardless of size.

Virginia Plan

Proposed a two house legislature with representation that is Proportional to a state's population. Proposed a 3 branch government.

What is the Great Compromise also known as?

Connecticut Compromise

What did the Great Compromise combine?

The Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan

What legislative body was established based on state population?

House of Representatives

How many senators does each state have in the Senate?

Two senators

What was the purpose of the Great Compromise?

To balance the interests of both large and small states

Northwest Ordinance

Law passed in 1787 that set up a process for creating new states in the Northwest Territory. Helped the expansion of the U.S.

3/5th Compromise

Counted each enslaved person as 3/5ths of a person for purposes of representation and taxation. Balanced interests of the north and south states.

Commercial Compromise

Agreement to regulate interstate and international trade. Prohibited placing taxes on any exports. Congress would be unable to ban the slave trade prior to the year 1808.

Land Ordinance of 1785

Law that set up a system for selling land in the northwest territory. Thomas Jefferson wrote it. One section is for education.

2nd Continental Congress

meeting of delegates from the thirteen colonies that united in support of the American Revolution.

Constitutional Convention

meeting held in 1787 in Philadelphia where delegates from the states created the Constitution - Miracle of Philadelphia.

Federalist Papers

Written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay. Written to promote the ratification of the Constitution. There are 85 federalist papers.

Senators for each state

2 senators.

Term for a Senator

6 years.

Term for a Representative

2 years.

Age to be a Representative

Age to be a Senator

Term of office for a President

4 years.

Electoral Votes to Win

How is a state's electoral votes determined?

determined by Senators + Representatives.

Total electoral votes

538 total.

New Jersey electoral votes

NJ has 14.

Position that appoints judges

President.

Checks and balances

ensures no single branch of government becomes too powerful, divides power and each branch has some control or oversight over the others.

Annapolis Convention

The Annapolis Convention of 1786 was where delegates from 5 states met to discuss the issues of the A of C.

Who breaks a tie in the Senate?

Vice President.

Percentage of Congress needed to override a presidential veto

2/3.

When was the Constitution ratified?

June 21, 1788.

Federalists

supported strong central government and the Constitution.

Anti-Federalists

wanted stronger state governments and protections for individual rights. They don't support Constitution.

Role of the president as Head of State

Attending state events, Represents U.S.

How can a Supreme Court decision be overturned?

if the Supreme Court itself overturns their decision or by amending the Constitution.

Branch of government that ratifies treaties

Legislative, Senate.

Define impeach

charge a government official with misconduct.

Office requiring a president to be a natural born citizen

President.

Branch of government that is the Cabinet

Executive.

What is a poll tax?

tax on voting.

What is the executive branch of government responsible for?

Enforcing laws.

Who heads the executive branch of government?

The president.

What is the legislative branch responsible for?

Making laws.

What are the two houses of the legislative branch?

Senate and the House of Representatives.

What is the collective name for the Senate and the House of Representatives?

Congress.

What is the role of the judicial branch?

Interpreting the laws and ensuring they are applied fairly.

Which court is included in the judicial branch?

Supreme Court.

Process for ratifying the Constitution

Each state held a convention to debate and vote on the document. Required approval from 9 out of 13 states to become effective.