Study Guide

The framers of the Constitution create a {federal] system of government because they were afraid of a national government being too [powerful/strong].

A federal government is when the [powe] is divided between the [national] and the [state] government.

Benjamin Franlin helped the large states and the small states agree to the [Great Compromise].

James Madison believed that the new national government should be [stronger] than the plan of government in the Articles of Confederation.

The weaknesses in the Articles of Confederation were:
No central [government]
Congress had no power to [collect taxes], [enforce laws], or regulate trade.
No national [military]
States only had [one] vote in Congress
No [Judicial Branch (court system)]

The [preamble] of the Constituion had the following 6 goals
1. [Ensure] domestic tranquility

2. Establish [justice]

3. To form a more perfect [union]

4. Secure blessing of [liberty]

5. Provide for the common [defense]
6. Promote the gneral [welfare]

The first goal of the Constitutional Convention was to [make changes] to the Articles of Confederation, but a new constitution resulted at the meeting.

[We the people] is the phrase that begins the Constituion to show that the people holds the power of the government.

The government organized into three levels: local, state, and [federal]

In a federal system of government, the federal government and state government have [shared] powers.

A [checks] & [balances] system was created when the federal government was divided into 3 branches. This was to make sure that no branch was more [powerful] than the others.

The 3 branches of government are:

[Executive] (President)
[Legislative] (Congress)
[Judicial] (Supreme Court)
The supporters of the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan compromised and agreed to the Great [Compromise].

The Bill of Rights was added to the Constitution because it was believed that all people had [natural] born rights.

Many people wanted the Bill of Rights added because the [King] had too much power, and they wanted these rights guaranteed.

Which of the following freedomes in the Bill of RIghts would protect teachers protesting standardized tests?
A. Freedom to bear arms
B. Freedom of Speech
C. Freedom from testifying against yourself

Which of the following would NOT be supported by the FIrst Amendment?
A. Arguing with a school board member

B. Writing a letter to the editor of a newspaper

C. Throwing a rock through the window of a business you dont like

Rights that are protected by the [First] Amendment are:
1. Freedom of [Speech]
2. Freedom of Religion

3. Freedom of the [Press}

4. Right to assemble peacefully

5. Right to [petition] the government