Vocab
Name the upper and lower house of the legislative branch and describe how seats are given in each house.
Upper House: Senate (2 senators for each state)
Lower House: House of Representative (the number of seats held in this house based on a state's population)
What is the Preamble? What six things does it outline?
An introduction to the Constitution.
The Preamble outline the six purposes of government.
Did the Federalists or the Anti-Federalists supported the new Constitution?
Federalists - Supported the new constitution, a stronger national/central government, and separation of powers. They did not support a bill of rights.
Why was the first national government of the US called a confederation?
State's were relatively independent; a loose alliance of states which formed a weak union and shared very little power with a central/national government.
What are the three branches of government and what is their job?
Legislative - Makes the Laws
Executive - Enforces the Laws
Judicial - Interprets the Laws
Define: Enumerated Powers
The powers specifically named and assigned to the federal government or prohibited to be exercised by the states under the U.S. Constitution, also known as delegated powers.
In the Preamble of the U.S. Constitution, what is the meaning of the phrase “We the People”?
Government receives its power from the people and exist to serve them (Popular Sovereignty)
What did the Anti-federalists want to include in the new Constitution?
200 Bonus points: Why did they want to included this?
A Bill of rights
BONUS: Because they were scared of a strong national government. Under British rule, the colonists had their rights taken away and impeded by King George. If they were going to agree to having a federal government they wanted their rights protected by a Bill of Rights.
How many states had to approve a change to the Articles of Confederation?
BONUS (100 points): what was the downside to of this idea under the Articles of Confederation?
All of them (13) (Unanimous approval); One branch of government
Since all states needed to unanimously agree to change the Articles of Confederation it was difficult to fix the weaknesses within the document.
What is the difference between Checks and Balances and Separation of Powers?
100 Bonus points - Which Enlightenment think originally came up with this idea?
Separation of Powers - the idea that executive, legislative, and judicial powers of government should be separate and distinct. No one many or one body of government should have all of these powers.
Checks & Balances - the idea that each branch of government has powers which can limit the power of of the other two branches of government. This prevented any one branch from having to much power.
Bonus: Charles Baron de Montesquieu (aka Montesquieu)
Define: posterity
...Also, identify the purpose of government that this word used in.
Posterity - future generations
Purpose: Secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity. (Protect our rights and those of our future generations)
By their use of the term republic, the Framers had in mind a government ruled by
a. anyone other than a king.
b. representatives elected by the people.
c. the most educated and powerful.
d. the votes of the people.
b. Representatives elected by the people (Republic)
A-incorrect (Monarchy)
C-incorrect (Oligarchy)
D-incorrect (Direct Democracy...not a republic)
Which statement supports the Anti-Federalists in the struggle over ratification of the U.S. Constitution?
A. The Constitution should limit state government.
B. The Constitution should protect fundamental rights.
C. The Constitution should create a strong national government.
D. The Constitution should prevent the election of amateur politicians.
C) The Anti-Federalists feared a strong national government and thought that the gov't may try to take away their fundamental rights.
Which historical even is missing from the diagram?
1. Colonial Independence --> 2. Articles of Confederations --> 3. Shays' Rebellion --> 4. ???
Constitutional Convention
Which of these is an example of the ability of Congress to check another branch? (maybe more than one answer)
a appointing judges
b. approving nominations
c. judicial review
d. veto power
e. deem a law unconstitutional
f. impeaching judges or a president
Approving nominations and impeaching judges or a president
Pick the odd ones out:
Senate, Congress, lower-house, amendments, House of Representatives, Supreme Court, impeachment, make laws, veto power.
Why do they not belong there?
Supreme court - Not a part of the legislative branch.
Veto Power - Executive power of the president (legislative branch does not have veto power.
In your own words, name three out of the six purposes of government outlined in the Preamble of the Constitution. If one has already been explained in a previous question, points will not be given for naming that purpose of government.
100 BONUS points for every additional correct answer
Purpose #1: “...in Order to form a more perfect Union...” - Form a stronger/more perfect nation/government
Purpose #2: “...establish Justice ... Have fairness within the laws
Purpose #3: “...insure domestic Tranquility ...” Make sure there is peace in the nation
Purpose #4: “...provide for the common defence...” Defend the nation
Purpose #5: “...promote the general Welfare ..." Help the common good of the people
Purpose #6: “...secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity...” Protect the freedoms of the people and for future generations
“Opponents of the Constitution are trying to scare you away with unfounded tales about the judicial branch. Here's the truth—this is the smallest and least powerful branch in the government. It cannot tax you, command the military, or take away your rights. It is created to protect your liberty. Remember that.”
Is this a Federalist or Anti-Federalist viewpoint?
Federalist - this viewpoint supports the judicial branch of government. The judicial branch of government is a result of the Separation of powers which is supported by the Federalists.
What was the original purpose of the Constitutional Convention, what did the framers of the Constitution actually do, and what were the biggest changes they made? (name at least two)
The original purpose of the Constitutional Convention was to revise or edit the Articles of Confederation but the framer's of the Constitution threw it out and drafted a new Constitution. The biggest changes they made were:
1) Creating a Constitution for the people and by the people ("We the People")
2) Implementing a Separation of Powers and Checks & Balances
3) Establishing a FEDERAL system of government
4) Making the amendment process much easier (easier to change the constitution) (9 out of 13 states needed)
Name some of the checks and balances by each branch on the other two. Name at least two powers by each branch of government.
Legislative:
- Checks Executive by: Approving declarations of war, withholding funds, ratifying treaties, impeaching a president, overriding a veto.
- Checks Judicial by: Confirming appointment of federal judges, impeaching judges, passing new federal laws, proposing new amendments to the Constitution
Executive:
- Checks Legislative by: Vetoing bills passed by Congress
- Checks Judicial by: Nominating Supreme Court judges and granting Presidential pardons (pardon someone of a crime)
Judicial:
- Checks Executive by: ruling a presidential action unconstitutional
- Checks Legislative by: ruling a law unconstitutional or interpreting a federal law a certain way
Define Elastic Clause & Implied Powers
Elastic Clause: the power of Congress to pass all laws they think are necessary and proper for carrying out it's enumerated powers
Implied Powers: Powers not Written in the U.S. Constitution but are necessary and proper in order for the federal government to carry out the expressed powers.
Explain the meaning of 5 out of the 7 articles in the constitution.
BONUS: extra 100 points for every additional correct answer
Article 1: Creates the two parts of Congress (Senate/House of Representatives) (Legislative branch)
Article 2: Creates the job of President (Executive branch)
Article 3: Establishes Supreme Court (Judiciary branch)
Article 4: States’ Rights: Establishes the enumerated powers that states have in the function of Government
Article 5: Amendments: how to change the Constitution.
Article 6: Supremacy Clause & Oath of Office: The Constitution is the law of the land & all who serve the USA swear an Oath of Allegiance to the United States.
Article 7: Ratification Process: Explained how the Constitution was agreed to and ratified.
A) “A written list of rights sounds like a great idea, until you think about it a little harder. Can we all agree on ten things, or even a hundred?...Putting things on paper makes it seem like there are only so many rights worth protecting.”
B) “The supporters of the Constitution do not believe a listing of the rights of the people is necessary. They are wrong. We need a Bill of Rights to make sure the government doesn't take away our liberties.”
Compare and summarize in your own words these two viewpoints and identify which one supports the Federalist views and which one supports the Anti-Federalist's views.
A) Federalists - it argues that a bill of rights is impractical and cannot be realistically put into practice
B) Anti-Federalists - it argues that a bill of rights is necessary or else the people may lose their rights. The Anti-Federalists would not agree to the new constitution without a bill of rights.
Describe Shays' Rebellion and its impact on the Constitution
1) Congress cannot tax and the STATES have the power to tax
2) There was an economic crisis is Massachusetts and the state raised TAXES and collected DEBTS
3) Farmers could not pay and the State took away their land and property and DEBTORS (those who owed money) were sent to prison
4) Farmers protested and attacked the state’s courthouse, demanding their debts to be forgiven, cheap paper money, and lower taxes.
Impact: Shays's Rebellion posed a threat to the new Government in America and showed that the Articles of Confederations DID NOT WORK. (we needed a new constitution!)
Read the scenarios and describe which branch of government is limiting power and which branch is being limited in it's power.
2) President Nixon was accused of being involved in illegal activities and abusing his presidential powers and resigned from office. His successor, President Gerald Ford, pardons Nixon of any crimes he may have committed.
3) The Supreme Court decides that the Internet Decency Act, passed by Congress, to limit young people's access to profanity on the internet, violates the First Amendment which guarantees free speech.
1) Executive branch is limiting the Legislative branch by vetoing (rejecting) a law that Congress passed.
2)Executive Branch is limiting the power of the Judicial branch by pardoning Nixon of his possible crimes
3) The Judicial branch is limiting the power of Congress by deeming a law unconstitutional.