Principles of the American Revolution
When a president acts to put his political enemies in jail because he dislikes them, this is violating what key principle from the American Revolution?
Rule of Law
What was the only branch of government included in the A of C?
The legislative branch
What event sparked the move to change the Articles of Confederation? (Hint; “I’m angry)
Shay's Rebellion
What was the name of the group that supported the Constitution and what was one of their arguments?
Federalists; a strong central government was needed to avoid the chaos and disorder under the A of C
How many branches of government did the Founders create and what are they?
When people are provided an opportunity to vote for their leaders, this is an example of what key principle from the American Revolution?
Popular Sovereignty
One problem was that the government could pass laws, but it couldn’t __________ them
enforce or execute
How did the Founders handle the issue of slavery and representation?
The 3/5th Compromise. Enslaved people counted as 3/5 of a person
What was the name of the group that opposed the Constitution what was one of their arguments?
The Anti-Federalists. Argued that a strong central government would trample on or the rights of the small states and minorities.
Explain how the Executive branch of government can check the power of the legislative branch and the judicial branch?
Executive Branch can veto Congressional laws and appoints judges to the judicial branch that are close to her/his political philosophy
Life, Liberty and the pursuit of happiness are examples of what key principle from the American Revolution?
Natural Rights
The central government could not pay off its debts because it did not have the power to
Tax
What did the Founders decide about electing the president? Did they believe in direct democracy, pluralist democracy, or elite democracy?
Voters would elect "electors" or the Electoral College to actually vote for the president. They believed in elite democracy.
What was the name of the pamphlets in support of the Constitution and who wrote most of them?
The Federalist papers. Alexander Hamilton
How can the Legislative branch check the power of the Executive branch--name two ways
Override the president's veto; impeach the president.
Which Founding Father authored the key document that outlined the idea of natural rights, what is the name of the document, and when is it celebrated every year?
Thomas Jefferson, Declaration of Independence, July 4th
To get a law passed under the A of C, the government needed 9 of 13 or a ___________
Super majority
What was the name of the group that was given the power to elect the president?
Electors or the Electoral College
What problem is discussed in Federalist 10? Define this concept
Factions. A group of people with a common interest who act to influence lawmakers and the political system for their own gain.
Explain the function of each of the three branches of gov
Executive branch: Executes/enforces/carries out laws
Legislative branch: Makes laws
Judicial branch: Interprets laws
Which Enlightenment thinker heavily influenced a Founding Father in a famous document and what important change did the Founding Father make to the original idea?
John Locke; Life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness
Name 4 weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation
No power to tax or enforce/execute laws; no court system/judicial branch to resolve conflicts; needed 9 of 13 votes to pass laws and unanimous consent from all 13 states to pass amendments
How did the Founders handle the issue of representation and what was this compromise called?
The Great Compromise
What solution does the author of Federalist 10 offer to the problem he raises and why does he think this solution will solve the problem?
He believes that a large Republic will best address the problem of factions because the factions will compete with each other and cancel or limit each other's power.
The Lilly Ledbetter Act is an example of which branch checking which branch's power?
Legislative and Executive branch checking the power of the Judicial branch.