First Plan for Government
What was the first plan for American government called?
The Articles of Confederation
Where did the Constitutional Convention take place?
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
What are the three branches of government outlined in the first three articles of the U.S. Constitution?
Legislative, Executive, Judicial
Which amendments protects the right to free speech, free press, free religion, and assembly/protest?
The FIRST amendment
High school students would like to wear armbands stamped with a peace sign to protest America's involvement in an international war. Their principal does not want this to cause a distraction to the learning environment to be disrupted by protest. What's your verdict?
The first amendment guarantees these students the freedom to express their beliefs (freedom of speech) and the right to protest (assembly).
Why did state leaders want a plan for central government (what wasn't working when each state had its own individual constitution)?
- Each state printed and exchanged its own money (made trade and taxes difficult)
- Each state wrote and enforced its own laws
- Each state had its own military
- Each state collected its own taxes, made it difficult to pay debts from the Revolutionary War
- States often disagreed about their bordres with Canada
When did the Constitutional Convention take place?
1787, summer - fall
Describe the LEGISLATIVE BRANCH and its primary role in government?
The legislative branch is made up of Congress (the Senate and the House of Representatives). Representatives in the legislative branch write laws and vote on major governmental initiatives.
Which amendment guarantees Americans will never be forced to house, or quarter, soldiers?
The THIRD amendment
A man is accused of stealing two loaves of bread from his local grocery store and arrested. After six years in jail, he is granted a trial. When he is convicted of this crime, he is sentences to 45 years in federal prison, and his wife's home is confiscated by the government, which leaves her and her children homeless. Is this constitutional? You be the judge.
The fifth amendment prevents government from seizing property without paying for it.
The sixth amendment guarantees people accused of a crime a fair and speedy trial.
The eighth amendment protects people convicted of a crime against cruel and unusual punishment.
Why were American patriots scared to create a powerful federal government after the Revolutionary War?
They had suffered many abuses under tyrannical kings and did not ever want the live that way again
State leaders disagreed about representation. States with larger population wanted the size of their populations to determine the number of state leaders in government. States with smaller populations wanted all states to send an equal number of state leaders in government. How was this debate solved?
They compromised! One part of government bases representation on population, the other part of government gives each state an equal number of representatives.
BONUS: What branch of government does this compromise apply to?
Describe the EXECUTIVE BRANCH and its primary role in government
The executive branch includes the president and the president's cabinet/heads of major government departments. The president signs laws to make them official or vetoes laws to cancel them. The president also represents the country on the foreign stage.
Double jeopardy, self-incrimination and due process are all critical parts of which amendment?
The state of Maine passes a law banning citizens from owning weapons of any kind, including knives, bow and arrows, and hunting rifles. Is this constitutional? You be the judge.
The second amendment gives American citizens the right to arm themselves, although there has been much discussion about what types of guns, how many guns, and whether or not guns should be owned by people who have an intent to commit violent crimes.
Why did the first plan for American government fail?
- No judiciary
- No power to collect taxes
- No power to enforce laws
States disagreed about slavery during the Constitutional Convention. States against slavery did not want enslaved people to be used for representational power. States practicing slavery wanted to include enslaved people in their overall state population totals so they could have more power in government. How was this debate solved?
They compromised! State leaders decided to allow states to count 3/5 of the population of enslaved people towards their total state population.
BONUS: What do we call this compromise today?
Describe the JUDICIAL BRANCH and its primary role in government
The judicial branch consists of the Supreme Court and other federal circuit court judges. This branch evaluates whether or not laws are constitutional.
Which amendment protects Americans convicted of a crime against cruel and unusual punishment?
A woman was arrested for causing a car accident and fleeing the scene of the crime before police arrived. Several people were injured during the crash. When she went to trial, she was found innocent of this "hit and run" crime. Two months after trial, the owner of the bakery on the corner realizes his security system caught the entire accident on video. Detectives ask the district attorney to take the woman back to court, now that they have better evidence. Is this consitutional? You be the judge.
The fifth amendment protects citizens against "double jeopardy," or being accused of the same crime twice.
Who was the president of the congress---a meaningless title since this role came with no power to make or enforce laws---according to the first plan for American government?
Bonus: what happened to John Hanson after the Articles of Confederation were replaced by the Constitution?
John Hanson
Bonus:Hanson retired after one year in office, having done little to no lasting work in his role. He died a few years later due to poor health, and has mostly been forgotten by American history in the years since.
By the end of the Constitutional Convention, a new plan for government was ratified (approved). What did some state leaders, like Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, think was missing?
Guaranteed protections for American citizens and their rights (a Bill of Rights)
TRUE or FALSE: Anti-Federalists believed that small, local governments are more responsive to the needs of everyday citizens. Federalists believed that a strong federal government is necessary and not a threat to people’s liberty.
TRUE
Who was the primary author of the Bill of Rights?
Thomas Jefferson
Masked officers arrest three young farmers, but they do not have an arrest warrant, they refuse to show their badge or produce a warrant, and they do not tell the farmers what they are being arrested for. Is this constitutional? You be the judge.
The fourth amendment requires law enforcement to obtain an arrest warrant before making arrests.
The sixth amendment says law enforcement officers must tell people they arrest what they are being arrested for.