Chapter 02. The Constitution and the Founding

Because of the colonists' experiences under the King of England, the Articles of Confederation __________ the power of the national government.

limited

The _________ Plan pushed for representation based on population, whereas the _________ Plan called for equal representation for all states. The Great Compromise, proposed by __________ split the difference between the two and saved the Constitutional Convention from dissolving.

Virginia

New Jersey

Connecticut

The__________ is the part of the federal government that is ultimately responsible for deciding whether an action is constitutional. It draws this authority from the power of _________.

Supreme Court, judicial review

Which of the following were tensions at the Constitutional Convention of 1787?

large states versus small states

slave states versus nonslave states

national power versus state power

The _________ demanded protections for individual liberties in the Constitution; thus, the __________ became the first set of amendments added to the document after ratification.

Antifederalists, Bill of Rights

During the Constitutional deliberations, Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay wrote 85 articles to sway public opinion. Collectively, these 85 articles are known as what?

Federalist Papers

Which branch of government received the least attention in the Constitution, gaining its most important check only in the 1800s

judical

The necessary and proper clause allows ________ to enact laws related to its ________ powers.

Congress, enumerated

What rationale did the Federalists offer in their initial arguments that a Bill of Rights was unnecessary

There would be too many rights to try to list them all.

State constitutions already protected such rights.

The national government lacked the power to threaten people's liberties.

The delegates to the Constitutional Convention disagreed on many things. How did they resolve these issues? Match the compromise or agreement with the tension it helped resolve at the Constitutional Convention?

legislative versus executive power: electoral college

national versus state power: supremacy clause

slave states versus nonslave states: Three-Fifths Compromise

small states versus large states: Great Compromise

What was one way the Federalists cultivated support for the Constitution?

They published the Federalist Papers

Select the arrow in the image below that represents the pathway that has been used most frequently to amend the Constitution.

by at least 3/4 of state legislatures

The legislative branch has played the most important role in interpreting how the meaning of the Constitution has changed over time.

False

How did the Constitution differ from the Articles of Confederation? Label the following powers of government as elements of the Constitution or the Articles of Confederation.

Articles of confederation:

- no federal courts

- levying of taxes left to the states

Constitutions

- bicameral legislature

- included provisions for an executive office

- only the national government can coin money

Match the type of power with the correct example of its use

the president vetoing a spending bill: negative

the Senate confirming the president's nominee for the Supreme Court : shared

Congress revising income tax rates: exclusive

Label the following clauses of the Constitution with the branch of government they most directly impact.

Congress:

- commerce clause

- necessary and proper clause

the president:

- executive powers clause

Place the following events in correct chronological order.

Britain imposes the Tea Act on the colonists

The Continental Congress adopts the Declaration of Independence

Shay's Rebellion takes place.

The Constitutional Convention begins

The Federalists __________ a strong national government and felt that the Bill of Rights was __________ to protect civil liberties.

preferred, unnecessary

What methods for amending the Constitution are provided in Article V?

passage in a national convention, followed by ratification by conventions in three-fourths of the states

passage in the House and Senate, followed by ratification by three-fourths of the states

Select the parts of the passage below that demonstrate the system of checks and balances.

Making laws can be complex. The inspiration for a new law can come from many places, including from constituents, interest groups, the president or Congress itself. Then Congress must pass the law. At that point the president might veto the law and, if he or she does, Congress has the ability to overturn the veto. Regardless of how it happens, once a law is passed and signed, the bureaucracy has to implement it. It is possible there will be a legal challenge to the law, and the Supreme Court will have to rule on whether it is constitutional. That lengthy process explains why there often seems to be a bias towards inaction in the American political system.

might veto the law

overturn the veto

rule on whether it is constitutional

Drag the labels to their correct locations in the table.

Electing the executive (president)

Position of the Large States: By Congress

Position of the Small States: By the states

Compromise: By the Electoral College

What were the Antifederalists' concerns about the new Constitution?

the expansion of national government power

the lack of civil liberties guarantees

the role of the president