U.S. constitution
- The objections of the colonists toward the British
Trade regulations, quartering of soldiers, taxation without representation, and lack of true
self-government
- Reason the First Continental Congress met and the year
1774 and To discuss how to win their rights
- What did the Sons of Liberty support?
The colonists’ cause
- Who said “Give me liberty, or give me death!”?
Patrick Henry
- Who/what ran the U.S. government for most of the American Revolution?
The Second Continental Congress
- Dec of Independence = Is it a Constitution? Did it inspire the Constitution?
No; Yes
> Articles of Confederation:
- Who had to approve important acts under the Articles of Confederation?
The states
- What was Shays' Rebellion?
A rebellion in Massachusetts started by farmers who were losing their farms
- What power was lacking under the Articles of Confederation?
Taxation
- What did colonists fear in the 1780s?
Strong central government
- Form of government during the American Revolution
Articles of Confederation
- Were the Articles of Confederation the first Constitution?
Yes
- Why were the Articles of Confederation weak?
Because of the fear of a strong central government
- Power to create national vs. state courts?
The Articles of Confederation had state courts but no national courts
- Power to regulate commerce?
The Articles of Confederation had not real power to regulate commerce
> Constitutional Convention:
- How many delegates?
55
- Where was it held (the building)?
Independence Hall
- The official purpose?
Correcting the faults of the Articles of Confederation
- How many states had to ratify the Constitution?
9 of the 13 states
- What did the Federalists support?
Ratifying the Constitution
- New Jersey Plan vs. Virginia Plan (small states vs. large states)
The New Jersey Plan favored the small states and the Virginia Plan favored the large
states
> Preamble and Amendments:
- Name the six goals of the Preamble
1. Form a more perfect union
2. Establish justice
3. Insure domestic tranquility
4. Provide for the common defense
5. Promote the general welfare
6. secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity
- Name the three branches of the government
Executive, Legislative, and Judicial
- In which article of the Constitution can you learn about each branch of the government?
Executive – Article 2
Legislative – Article 1
Judicial – Article 3
- Bill of Rights and the power stated in the 10th Amendment
Bill of Rights are Amendments #1-10
The 10th Amendment states that “powers not given to the federal government are given to
the people or states” (federalism)
- Important Amendments: 13th, 14th, 15th, 18th, 19th, 21st, 26th
13th
14th
15th
18th
19th
21st
26th
– Abolish slavery
– Citizenship & Equal Rights
– Protect voting rights for all citizens
– Prohibition
– Woman suffrage
– Repealed prohibition
– Change the voting age to 18
> Executive Branch:
- Qualifications for President
35 years old, a natural-born citizen, and live in the U.S. for at least 14 years
- Presidential term and salary
Term – 4 years
Salary - $400,000
- Order of succession to the presidency
Vice President, Speaker of the House, President Pro Tempore of the Senate,
Secretary of State
- Name the 5 major areas of presidential duties
Foreign Affairs, Domestic and Military Administration, Legislation, Appointment, and
Judicial Functions
- Date of the inauguration ceremony
January 20th
- How many Cabinet members?
15
- Responsibilities of the following Cabinet Departments: Defense, Labor,
Health and Human Services, Energy, Homeland Security
Defense – Carrying out a war
Labor – Settling a strike
Health and Human Services – Social Security
Energy – Nuclear power production
Homeland Security – Terrorism alerts
> Legislative Branch:
- What two chambers/houses make up the legislative branch?
Senate and House of Representatives
- Who can call Congress into a special session?
The President
- How many times must Congress meet in a year?
At least once
- Qualifications for a Senator?
30 years old, U.S. Citizen for 9 years, Live in the state they will represent
- Qualifications for a Representative?
25 years old, U.S. Citizen for 7 years, Live in the state they will represent
- How many from Illinois in Congress: Senators and Representatives
Senators – 2
Representatives – 17
- What is the present number of Congress? (Does NOT mean how many people in Congress)
118
- Responsibilities of the House of Representatives, the Senate, and Both
Review the “Senate/House Comparison” Questions on the Legislative Branch Handout
- Sequence of steps in the lawmaking process (how a bill becomes a law)
See handout on the U.S. Lawmaking Process
- What is a pocket veto?
If the president does not sign a bill after 10 days, and Congress is no longer in session, then
the bill is automatically vetoed
- What are lobbies?
Organized groups that try to influence lawmakers
- What three groups can Congress' power be roughly divided into?
Money, Defense, and Miscellaneous
- What is the Elastic Clause?
A clause that expands the power of Congress so they may “make all laws which shall be
necessary”
- Division of Power: Responsibilities of the Federal Gov't, the State Gov't, Both, or Neither
Review the Division of Power Flowchart Handout
> Judicial Branch:
- Qualifications for a federal judge?
None expressed in the Constitution
- Name the three types of federal courts
Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, District Courts
- What court declares the final word on the constitutionality of any law?
The Supreme Court
- Federal judge's term
Life
- Who appoints and who approves federal judges?
The President appoints and the Senate approves
> Electoral College:
- What is the Electoral College?
A compromise that setup a system of electors to select the president
- Number of electoral votes needed to win the Presidency?
270 or more
- How many electoral votes does Illinois have?
19
> Budget and Economy:
- What tax provides the federal government with the most money?
Individual Income Tax
- What does the federal government spend the most money on?
Social Security, Unemployment, and Labor
- Define "deficit"
To spend more than you take in
- Define "surplus"
To receive more than you spend
- What is the U.S. National Debt? (number)
A lot of money!!!!
(It’s always changing but currently more than $30 Trillion)
> Extra Credit:
President
Vice President
Speaker of the House
President Pro Tempore of the Senate
Supreme Court Chief Justice
U.S. Secretary of State
Illinois Senators (2)
9th District Congressional Representative
What do the colors of the American flag stand for?
What do the 13 stripes on the American flag stand for?
What do the 50 stars on the American flag stand for
Make This Into Notecards:
Colonial Objections: British trade regulations, quartering of soldiers, taxation without representation.
First Continental Congress (1774): Met to discuss winning rights for colonists.
Sons of Liberty: Supported the colonists' cause.
Patrick Henry: Famous quote, “Give me liberty, or give me death!”
Second Continental Congress: Functioned as U.S. government during most of the American Revolution.
Declaration of Independence: Not a constitution, but inspired the Constitution.
Articles of Confederation: Required state approval for important acts; lack of taxation powers; weak due to fear of strong central government.
Shays' Rebellion: Rebellion by farmers in Massachusetts over farm losses.
Constitutional Convention: 55 delegates convened to correct faults in Articles of Confederation; 9 states needed to ratify.
Federalists: Supported ratification of the Constitution.
New Jersey Plan vs. Virginia Plan: New Jersey favored small states; Virginia favored large states.
Preamble Goals: 1) Form a more perfect union, 2) Establish justice, 3) Insure domestic tranquility, 4) Provide for common defense, 5) Promote general welfare, 6) Secure blessings of liberty.
Three Government Branches: Executive (Article 2), Legislative (Article 1), Judicial (Article 3).
Bill of Rights: Amendments #1-10; 10th Amendment: Powers not given to the federal government are reserved to the states or the people.
Important Amendments: 13th (Abolish slavery), 14th (Citizenship & equal rights), 15th (Voting rights), 18th (Prohibition), 19th (Women's suffrage), 21st (Repeal of prohibition), 26th (Voting age change to 18).
Executive Branch: President qualifications (35 years, natural-born citizen), term (4 years, $400,000 salary).
Cabinet: 15 members responsible for defense, labor, health, energy, and homeland security.
Legislative Branch: Composed of Senate and House of Representatives; qualifications and responsibilities.
Judicial Branch: Federal judges serve for life; appointed by the President; approved by the Senate.
Electoral College: System to select the president; 270 votes needed to win; Illinois has 19 electoral votes.
Federal Budget: Individual income tax is the main revenue; spending focused on Social Security, unemployment, and labor; define deficit and surplus; U.S. National Debt over $30 trillion.