Declaration of Independence
Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?
Thomas Jefferson
What were the Articles of Confederation?
The first version of government in the USA.
What was the original purpose/reason behind the Constitutional Convention?
To amend the Articles of Confederation
What is the US Constitution?
The supreme law of the land
What was the 3/5ths Compromise?
To placate the South, slaves were counted as 3/5ths of a person for representation
WHO WAS KING OF GREAT BRITAIN AT THE TIME THE COLONIES ADOPTED THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE?
George III
What is a confederation?
WHEN and WHERE was the Constitutional Convention held?
1787 in Philadelphia, PA
How many articles does the Constitution have?
7 articles
What solved the debate between big states and small states?
The Great Compromise
Who was the first to sign the document with a big signature nearly five inches long?
John Hancock
Why did the Founding Fathers Choose a Confederation plan of government?
They feared that a strong central government would create tyranny, and stamp out the peoples natural God given rights.
Who would be called the “Father of the Constitution”?
James Madison
Name 3 basic principles of the Constitution.
popular soverignty, limited government, seperation of powers, checks and balances, federalism
Why Did the Founding Fathers believe the Articles needed to be replaced by the US Constitution?
The nation needed to function as ONE united country & not 13 small unorganized nations.
What are two rights that are in the Declaration of Independence?
Life, Liberty, Pursuit of Happiness
Name three negatives about the Articles of Confederation.
No president, no national court system, no power to draft soldiers, No Power to Control Interstate Trade, No Power to Enforce Treaties, No Power to Collect Taxes from the States, Difficult to Pass Laws (2/3 vote), No National system of money, Difficult to Change Articles of Confederation
Why did the bigger states favor the Virginia Plan?
Because they favored more representation based on population
How many amendments does the US Constitution have?
27 amendments
What is the introduction to the Constitution called?
The Preamble
WHO WAS ON THE COMMITTEE TO DRAFT THE DECLARATION?
John ADAMS, Benjamin FRANKLIN, Thomas JEFFERSON, Robert LIVINGSTON AND Roger SHERMAN
Name three pro's or powers that the Articles had (think positives)
declare war, make peace, sign treaties, borrow money, establish an army/navy, establish post offices
Explain the differences between the Federalists and the Anti-Federalists regarding the new Constitution.
Federalists supported a strong central government and the Constitution, while Anti-Federalists wanted to limit government power and retain states' rights.
Why was the Constitution written?
The federal government was extremely weak and this created many problems.
Define "amendment".
A change to the Constitution