Terms
What does bicameral mean?
Having two branches or chambers
a president vetoing a bill is an example of?
checks and balances
What year was the constitutional convention?
1787
Name 2 compromises made during the Constitutional Convention.
The Great Compromise/The Connecticut Compromise. Three-Fifths Compromise. Commerce Compromise. Presidential Compromise.
The idea that government is a “necessary evil” comes from what pamphlet?
Common Sense, Thomas Paine
What is federalism?
a system of government in which powers are shared between a top level of government like a national government and sub layers such as state governments.
Which purpose of the American government would the court system be described as?
Establish justice
How many conflicts/compromises arose during the Constitutional Convention?
5 (distrust of central govt, small vs large states, representation in congress, trade regulations, presidential elections)
Give one issue with state constitutions PRE-Articles of Confederation
Didn’t have direct democracy. Instability. They had a property requirement to vote.
What was one weakness of the Articles of Confederation?
No power to tax. No power to regulate trade. No executive power. It could only be changed with the approval of all the states
What is a constitution?
a body of principles and precedents according to which a nation or state is governed
The government giving their citizens food stamps would be an example of which of the 6 purposes of the American government
Promoting general welfare
The American government has 6 purposes (as defined in the preamble). Name 4.
Form a more perfect union. Establish justice. Promote common defense. Insure domestic tranquility. Promote general welfare. Secure blessings of liberty
What, according to Thomas Paine, should the government be protecting/maintaining?
(needs/wants of) Society. Security. Happiness of the people
What was the great compromise?
The compromise was that there would be two houses of legislation, the upper house having equal representation and the lower house having representation based on the population of the state.
What does representation mean?
The action of speaking or acting on behalf of someone
Congress overruling a veto is an example of excessive power. (true/false)?
False, it’s a part of checks and balances
Institutions like the police, fire fighters, and CPS are put in place to follow which purpose of the American government?
Insure Domestic Tranquility
The proposition that the slave trade ends after 20 years was a condition to pass which constitutional compromise?
Commerce Compromise
When was common sense written?
1776
What is the electoral college?
The way America elects its president and vice president. A body of people representing the states cast their votes for the president and vice president.
A district attorney is a part of which of the 6 purposes of the American government?
Establish justice or Insure domestic tranquility
One issue brought up during the Constitutional Convention was the distrust of strong central government. What was the solution for that issue?
Federalism / Having a state and federal government, both with the same importance
Name 2 pieces of Thomas Paine’s evidence supporting his perspective on the necessity of government.
It motivates people to work. There would be immorality and prejudice without it. The government may seem negative/restrictive, but it maintains the needs of society through those restrictions. It formulates moral virtue.
What day were the articles of confederation made?
November 15, 1777