Revolution & Independence
Which document formally announced that the colonies were separating from Great Britain?
BONUS: Who wrote it and when?
The Declaration of Independence
BONUS: Thomas Jefferson, June/July 1776
What was the first national constitution of the US?
Government gets its authority from the people. Name the principle.
Popular Sovereignty
What compromise created the House of Representatives & the Senate? (A bicameral congress)
The Great Compromise
What group worried that the proposed Constitution gave the national government too much power?
The Anti-Federalists
A battle in 1777 persuaded a European power to join the American cause. Name the battle and the country.
Battle of Saratoga; France
Why was it difficult to make changes to the Articles?
All 13 states had to approve amendments. Unanimity made reforms difficult.
Citizens choose representatives who vote on laws for them. Name the principle.
Republicanism
How are seats assigned in the House of Representatives versus the Senate?
They are based on population, in the Senate it is equal
What group favored ratification and a stronger national government?
the Federalists
What event marked the decisive American victory in 1781, and what peace agreement later recognized independence?
Battle of Yorktown and Treaty of Paris 1783
A merchant has trouble trading because states use different currencies. Which weakness of the Articles is illustrated?
States issued their own money. Different currencies complicated interstate commerce.
National and state governments each have powers. Name the principle and explain its purpose.
Federalism; divides authority between levels of government. Power is not held entirely by one government.
Which two plans disagreed over population-based versus equal state representation?
The Virginia Plan and New Jersey Plan
What set of amendments helped answer demands for explicit protections of individual freedoms?
Congress passes a law, but the president vetoes it. Congress votes again and passes the law anyway.
Question: What power allows Congress to do this?
The power to override a presidential veto.
Will also accept checks & balances as an answer.
Which historical document helped establish that a ruler must follow the law?
Magna Carta. It influenced limited government.
The Constitution assigns making, enforcing, and interpreting laws to different branches. Name the principle.
Separation of Powers
What compromised settled the debate over how to count enslaved people towards population?
The Three-Fifths Compromise
The president negotiates a treaty, but another part of government must approve it. Who provides that approval, and what principle is shown?
The Legislative Branch (Congress) and Checks & Balances
The Founding Fathers feared that giving one leader complete control over the military could lead to an abuse of power.
Question: How did the Constitution prevent the president from having complete control over the military?
The Constitution gave the president the power to command the military, but Congress the power to declare war and raise and fund armies (or separation of powers/popular sovereignty)
An author argues that the country needs a more effective national government to maintain unity. Which set of essays promoted this position?
The Federalist Papers. They defended ratification of the Constitution.
The president rejects a bill, but Congress passes it anyway with enough votes. Name the principle and explain how it works.
Checks and balances; Congress limits the president through a veto override. Branches can check one another’s authority.
What impact did the Three-Fifths Compromise have on Southern representation?
It increased the political power of Southern states in the legislature.
“Your President may become king . . . If your American chief be a man of ambition and abilities, how easy is it for him to render himself absolute!”
— Patrick Henry, Speech to the Virginia Ratifying Convention, 1788
Question: What concern was Patrick Henry expressing about the Constitution?
He feared that the president would have too much power and could become like a king.