The U.S Constitution (All 7 Articles)

What was the name of the first Constitution

Articles of Confederation

What were the 3 main weaknesses of that first Constitution? (Choose from the 6)

1 - There was no central leadership (executive branch)

2 - Congress had no power to enforce its laws

3 - Congress had no power to tax

4 - Congress had no power to regulate trade

5 - There was no national court system (judicial branch)

6 - Changes to the Articles required unanimous consent of 13 states

When did the Constitutional Convention begin?

May 14, 1787

Who was the president of the Constitutional Convention?

George Washington

What delegates from each following state became key contributors to the framing of the U.S Constitution: Virginia, New York, and Pennsylvania?

James Madison (Virginia)

Alexander Hamilton (New York)

Benjamin Franklin (Pennsylvania)

Who suggested the Virginia Plan?

James Madison

What is federalism?

The division of powers between a strong central government and state government

How would government be divided by way of the Virginia Plan ?

A federal government made up of 3 branches

What did the New Jersey Plan call for?

One house legislature, each state has one vote.

Who suggested the New Jersey Plan?

William Patterson

What was Roger Sherman’s great compromise?

Two house legislature with equal representation and representation based on population

What was the 3/5 compromise?

Only counted 60% of slave population in the state population

What was the position of the founding fathers in slavery?

They mistook is as a dying institution

When was the final version of the Constitution completed?

July 26, 1787

What is ratification ?

To officially accept a proposal and put it into effect

Why were many people within the 13 states dissatisfied with the new Constitution?

It didn’t include a Bill of Rights

What was the first state to ratify the new Constitution?

Delaware

What was the last state to ratify the new constitution

Rhode Island

What is the purpose of the preamble of the U.S Constitution?

To clarify the documents fundamental purposes and guiding principles

Define: Domestic Tranquility

Peace at home

Define: Liberty

The right to criticize one’s government and to speak and worship freely

Define: Posterity

The generation after us

The Constitution is divided into seven main parts called articles. What is the topic of Article 1?

The legislative branch

What group of people makes up the legislative branch?

Congress

What is the main purpose of the legislative branch

To make the laws

How is it decided how many senators each state has?

Each state has 2 senators

How is it decided how many representatives each state has?

Based on each states population

What is the only duty the Constitution assigns the vice President?

To preside in the senates meetings

What is the term used in U.S government which means the house can charge a government official with wrongdoing, and the senate acts as a court to determine if he/she is innocent or guilty?

Impeachment

Congress has decided that elections will take place during what month and what day of the week?

November, Tuesday

By way of the Constitution, what people holds responsibility of taxing?

The house of reps

How can the general public find out how their representatives voted on bills and issues?

The Congressional Record

What is the main topic of Article 2?

The executive branch

According to the Constitution, what is the primary job of the president?

To enforce the laws

What are the 3 main qualifications for President ?

1 - At least a 14 yr residency in the U.S

2 - At least 35 years old

3 - A natural born citizen

Who was the youngest ELECTED president ?

John F. Kennedy

Who was the youngest person to BE president?

Theodore Roosevelt

Who was the oldest ever elected president ?

Joe Biden

What is the presidents current salary?

$400,000

What are some benefits the president receives?

• Free healthcare

• Protection/Security

• Retirement funds

What is the name of the speech the president must deliver to the American people every January?

The State of the Union Address

What is the term for the group of advisors who assist the president ?

The Cabinet

What is the only crime mentioned in the U.S Constitution ?

Treason

What is the main job of the judicial branch ?

To interpret the laws

What article discusses the judicial branch?

Article 3

Can a person escape legal obligation by moving form one state to another ?

No

If a territory wants to become our 51st state, what are the four things that must happen?

1 - Ask Congress permission

2 - Write a state Constitution

3 - Forward a newly written constitution for congresses approval

4 - If majority rules for approval in Congress, it will be apart of the US

What article discusses the states ?

Article 4

What happens when a state law and a national law conflict with each other? How is the conflict resolved?

National laws ALWAYS overrides state laws

What article of the Constitution discusses national supremacy?

Article 6

What article of the Constitution discusses proposing new amendments to the document?

Article 5

What article of the Constitution discusses the ratification process ?

Article 7