Preamble
What does the word preamble mean?
What was the name of the set of laws developed to govern the first thirteen colonies (states)?
The Articles of Confederation
What is a convention?
A convention is a meeting or a gathering
What is a delegate?
A delegate is a person who represents a group of people.
How many branches does our government have?
Why is this a good number of branches to have?
Explain what to insure domestic tranquility means.
To keep peach for our homes and our country.
Name two of the problems that occurred when our country was new and the Articles of Confederation governed our land.
(1) The national government was too weak.
(2) The leaders were not always wise.
(3) The country owed a lot of money (debt) due to the Revolutionary War.
(4) Taxes were too high and it was too hard for people to pay their bills.
Which delegate became the leader of the convention and why?
George Washington was chosen because he (1) wanted to serve his country (2) did not seek power (3) was wise and trustworthy.
What is a republic?
A republic is a form of government that is run by representatives elected by the people.
What is the job of the legislative branch?
to make the laws
Explain what to provide for the common defense means.
To be ready to protect our people from attack.
What happened during Shay's Rebellion?
Daniel Shay had been a soldier in the Revolutionary War and was now trying to farm his land in Massachusetts. However, he was unable to pay his bills and at risk for losing his farm. He gathered about two thousand men to attack a courthouse and a weapons storehouse.
When and where did the Constitutional Convention meet?
In Philadelphia in the summer of 1787
What is a tariff?
A tariff is a tax on goods coming into the country (a tax on imports)
What are the two bodies of Congress in the Legislative branch?
Explain what promote the general welfare means.
To encourage the well-being of everyone.
What was the lesson learned due to Shay's Rebellion?
People learned that our national government was too weak. People were afraid that a mob could take over a state. The Articles of Confederation was not strong enough to stop people who broke the law. Due to Shay's Rebellion people became more ready for a stronger national government (instead of just strong state governments).
What was the purpose of the Constitutional Convention?
The purpose of the Constitutional Convention was to design a balanced government that would solve the problems that developed due to the Articles of Confederation.
What is an export?
Exports are goods that are leaving the country
What is the job of the executive branch and who is the main person of the executive branch?
The executive branch carries out the laws and the main person is the president.
Explain what to secure blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity means.
To guard freedom for ourselves and our families to come.
How many states sent delegates to work on improving the Articles of Confederation?
Twelve - all of them except for Georgia
What was the name of the delegate with the most plans?
James Madison
What does compromise mean?
What was the Great Compromise?
A compromise is an agreement that is not exactly what either side wants but something both sides can agree to.
The Great Compromise divided Congress into two groups. One group was the House of Representatives, and one group was the Senate. In the House, each state would have a number of representatives dependent on the population of the state. In the Senate, every state would have two representatives.
What is the job of the Judicial branch and who are the main people in the Judicial branch?
The Judicial branch decides if laws have been broken and the main people are the nine justices of the Supreme Court.