The Preamble
Which part of the Constitution states that the government gets its power from the people and introduces the six purposes of government?
The Preamble
What is the main role of the legislative branch?
To make laws
What do amendments do?
They change or add to the Constitution.
Which agreement created a bicameral Congress in which the states would be represented equally in one house and by population in the other?
The Great Compromise
What is federalism?
The division of power between national and state governments.
Which phrase in the Preamble means that the government should provide fairness and laws?
Establish justice
Which branch of government does Article I of the Constitution create?
The Legislative Branch
Why was the Bill of Rights added to the Constitution?
To protect individual rights and convince Anti-Federalists to approve the Constitution.
Which agreement determined how enslaved people would be counted toward a state's representation in Congress?
The Three-Fifths Compromise
Give an example of a power that belongs to the national government.
Declaring war or printing money.
What is the idea that power lies with the people?
Popular Sovereignty
What is the main responsibility of the judicial branch?
To interpret the laws.
What freedoms does the First Amendment protect?
Speech, religion, press, assembly, and petition.
Why did Anti-Federalists oppose the Constitution?
They feared it gave too much power to the national government and lacked a Bill of Rights.
Give an example of a power that belongs to state governments.
Running elections or establishing schools.
What are two purposes of government mentioned in the Preamble?
Establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote general welfare, secure liberty.
What is it called when each branch of government can check, or restrain the power of the others?
Checks and Balances
Many Anti-Federalists decided to support approving the Constitution after Federalists promised a ________ would be added.
Bill of Rights
What did the Federalists promise to gain support for the Constitution?
They promised to add the Bill of Rights.
How do checks and balances prevent one branch from becoming too powerful?
Each branch can limit the power of the others (e.g., Congress can override a veto, Supreme Court can declare laws unconstitutional).
Why do we still use the Preamble today to interpret the Constitution?
It helps explain the goals of the government and how the Constitution should be applied.
What is the "Necessary and Proper Clause," and why is it important?
It gives Congress implied powers to make laws needed to carry out its duties.
What are the steps of the constitutional amendment process?
An amendment must be proposed by 2/3 of Congress or 2/3 of state legislatures and ratified by 3/4 of the states.
Why was compromise necessary to create the Constitution?
States had different interests, and compromise was needed to balance power between large and small states.
Why is the amendment process an example of federalism?
Both the national and state governments are involved in approving amendments.