Constitutional Gov't
What is a constitution? (page 31)
A set of rules and laws that explain how a government is organized and how it should be run.
What were some important (big) ideas in the new state constitutions? (page 48-49)
Ideas about natural rights
Ideas about republican government
Ideas about constitutional government
What was accomplished under the Articles of Confederation?
*Keeping the states together during the war against Great Britain
*Winning the war for independence
*Making a peace treaty with Great Britain
*Preventing each state from conducting its own foreign affairs, making treaties, and declaring war
Who were the Framers? (page 65)
The delegates to the Philadelphia Convention are known as the Framers.
What can you learn about a nation's government by studying its constitution? (page 31, name 3 things)
You can have any of these 3!
*What are the purposes of government?
*How is the government organized?
*How is the government supposed to carry out business?
*How are people chosen to serve in the government?
*Who is a citizen?
*Are citizens supposed to have control over their government?
*What rights and responsibilities, if any, are citizens supposed to have?
How did the state constitutions limit the powers of their government? (page 49)
They used Separation of Powers - divided among three branches of government.
What problems did the national government have under the Articles of Confederation? (page 59)
Each state acted as a separate country.
It did not have the power to unite the states. It did not have money and it did not have the authority to get it. There were no courts to settle disputes among the states.
There was little trade between the states or with other nations. It was hard for Americans to make a living; businesses were failing; many people were in debt; soldiers who had fought in the war still hadn't been paid.
Why were they called the Framers? (page 65)
They are called the Framers because they organized and wrote our Constitution.
What is a bill of rights? (page 50).
A list of the rights of citizens.
Why did the Founders think that it is necessary to limit the power of government? (paraphrase page 32)
So that the people who run the government don't have too much power. It's also important that the people who run the government follow the constitution.
What are the 3 branches of government? (page 49-50).
1. Legislative
2. Executive
3. Judicial
What was the Northwest Ordinance of 1787? (page 58, name at least 3 things)
It was a plan for adding new states. It allowed people living in the Northwest Territories to organize their own governments.
It said that part of all public lands must be set aside for public schools.
It declared slavery unlawful in any new state in the Northwest Territories.
The Ordinance guaranteed freedom of religion, speech, and press.
Who were 3 important delegates to the convention? (page 66)
George Washington, James Madison, and Benjamin Franklin
What is a delegate?
Someone whom you trust to represent your interests.
Explain the difference between a constitution and a constitutional government. (page 32)
A constitution is a set of rules and laws that explain how a government should be run. A constitutional government means there are limits on the power of government.
Why are checks and balances important? (page 50)
They kept each branch from gaining too much power.
What was Shays' Rebellion and why was it important? (page 60)
Shays' Rebellion was when more than one thousand angry farmers gathered and were led by Dan Shays. They were ready to fight the Massachusetts government due to unfair treatment. they shut down the courts and prevented the government from taking their property. It was important because it made the Founders realize the Articles of Confederation were weak.
Who is often called the "Father of the Constitution?" (page 66)
James Madison
What was Common Sense? (page 68)
A book written by Thomas Paine that helped get support for the Revolution.
Explain the difference between a dictatorial government and a constitutional government. (page 32)
A dictatorial government means that there are no limits on the power of the people who run the government. They can do whatever they want to do. A constitutional government means that there ARE limits on the powers of the government.
What did each branch of the government do? Legislative, executive, and judicial. (page 49-50)
Legislative: made the laws
Executive: carried out and enforced the laws
Judicial: decided what the laws mean
Congress held a meeting in Philadelphia in 1787 to which each state sent a delegate. What important decision did they decide at that meeting? (page 61)
They decided to put the Articles aside and start over again. The delegates then began to write a new constitution.
Who was 81 years old and in poor health when he attended the Philadelphia Convention? (page 67)
Benjamin Franklin
What decisions did the delegates make at the start of the convention? (page 69, name 4)
1. George Washington would serve as president of the convention.
2. Each state, large or small, would have one vote at the convention.
3. They would not do what Congress had asked them to do. They would not try to improve the Articles of Confederation. The Articles had too many weaknesses. They decided to write an entirely new constitution.
4. They would keep their discussions private. They decided that whatever was said at the meeting would remain a secret for thirty years.