Constitution
Why is James Madison known as the "Father of the Constitution"
He was well-prepared with extensive research on various forms of government and played a leading role in the debates.
What did the Great Compromise decide?
The Great Compromise, also known as the Connecticut Compromise, decided how states would be represented in Congress.
What is the purpose of the system of checks and balances?
The purpose of the system of checks and balances is to prevent any one branch of government from becoming too powerful. It ensures that the legislative, executive, and judicial branches can limit each other's powers.
Which Amendment guarantees that a group has the right to gather to protest a tax they think is unfair?
The First Amendment protects freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly, and petition, allowing people to peacefully gather and express their opinions about government actions, including taxation.
Why does each state have two senators?
Each state has two senators to balance the rights of large and small states.
How is the Constitution organized?
The Constitution is organized into parts called articles.
The U.S. Constitution has seven articles, each outlining a different aspect of government:
Which of these did both the Virginia and New Jersey Plans include?
Both the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan proposed the establishment of three branches of government:
While the two plans differed on the structure of the legislature, they both included the idea of dividing the government into these three branches.
Who can propose an amendment to the Constitution?
Congress.
According to Article V of the Constitution, Congress can propose an amendment to the Constitution by a two-thirds majority vote in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. Alternatively, a constitutional convention can be called by two-thirds of state legislatures to propose an amendment, but this method has never been used.
The Second Amendment is often at the center of debate in this country. Which rights does it protect?
The right to own guns.
The Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution states:
"A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."
What is the greatest challenge for the delegates at the Constitutional Convention?
How to balance the interests of large and small states.
One of the biggest challenges at the Constitutional Convention was deciding how states would be represented in Congress. Larger states wanted representation based on population (Virginia Plan), while smaller states wanted equal representation (New Jersey Plan).
What is the final step before a national bill becomes a law?
It is signed by the president.
After a bill is passed by both the House of Representatives and the Senate, it goes to the President, who can:
What was the greatest concern of the opponents to the Constitution?
The greatest concern of the opponents to the Constitution was giving up state power to form a stronger Union.
What is the responsibility of the judicial branch?
To resolve disputes under the law.
The primary responsibility of the judicial branch is to interpret the laws and resolve disputes. This includes determining whether laws are applied fairly and constitutionally, as well as resolving conflicts between individuals, states, or the government. The judicial branch, headed by the Supreme Court, ensures that justice is carried out and that laws align with the Constitution.
Why did the delegates start the Preamble to the Constitution with the words “We, the people”?
To state that government power comes from the people.
By starting the Preamble with "We, the People," the delegates emphasized the idea of popular sovereignty, meaning that the government's authority comes from the citizens, not a king or a small group of elites. This phrase reinforced the principle that the U.S. government is based on the will of the people and exists to serve them.
What is the final step before a national bill becomes a law?
It is signed by the president.
After a bill is passed by both the House of Representatives and the Senate, it is sent to the President for approval. The President can either:
What is the primary work of Congress?
The primary work of Congress is to make laws. Congress consists of the House of Representatives.
What does it mean to be a republic?
In a republic, the people elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf, rather than having a monarch or dictator in charge. This form of government is based on the principle of popular sovereignty, where the authority of the government comes from the consent of the governed.
What name is given to the Supreme Court's power to declare a law unconstitutional?
Judicial review.
Judicial review is the power of the Supreme Court to declare laws or executive actions unconstitutional. This power was established in the landmark case Marbury v. Madison (1803) and allows the judicial branch to check the powers of the legislative and executive branches, ensuring that laws follow the U.S. Constitution.
What is not protected by the First Amendment?
Damaging property in a protest march.
The First Amendment protects freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly, and petition, but it does not protect actions that involve illegal activities, such as violence, vandalism, or destruction of property. While people have the right to protest, they must do so peacefully and lawfully.
What is the primary work of Congress?
To make laws for the country.
The primary responsibility of Congress (which consists of the House of Representatives and the Senate) is to create, debate, and pass laws that affect the entire country.
What does the Ninth Amendment say about rights not listed in the Constitution?
The Ninth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution states that just because certain rights are listed in the Constitution, it doesn't mean that people don't have other rights that aren't specifically mentioned. It reads:
"The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people."
What is meant by the “due process of law” included in the Fifth Amendment?
The government must follow rules as it carries out the law.
The Due Process Clause of the Fifth Amendment ensures that the government cannot take away a person's life, liberty, or property without following fair and established legal procedures. This means that individuals are guaranteed fair treatment through the normal judicial system, including the right to a fair trial and protection against arbitrary actions by the government.
What is one duty of the executive branch?
The executive branch (led by the President) is responsible for:
The Third, Fourth, and Fifth Amendments were added to the Constitution in response to which historical experience?
British rule in colonial America.
The Third, Fourth, and Fifth Amendments were added to the Constitution in response to abuses experienced under British rule
What was the main purpose of the Constitutional Convention of 1787?
To revise the Articles of Confederation and strengthen the central government.
The Constitutional Convention of 1787 was originally called to revise the Articles of Confederation, which created a weak central government.