Constitutional Convention
Who was the primary drafter of the Constitution, also named the "Father of the Constitution?"
James Madison
How many people are currently in each of the two houses of Congress?
House of Representatives: 435
Senate: 100
Who are the primary people who work in the Judicial Branch?
Supreme Court Justices
What did Federalists want?
A strong federal government
What are the 1st and 2nd Amendments?
1st: Five Freedoms (Religion, Speech, Press, Assembly, Petition)
2nd: Right to bear arms
What four famous people, mentioned in class, attended the Constitutional Convention?
George Washington, James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and Benjamin Franklin
According to the Great Compromise, how would the number of Senators be determined?
Two from each state
What power does the Supreme Court have that allows it to decide if a law passed by congress or a presidential action aligns with the Constitution?
Judicial Review
What concern did the Antifederalists have with the Constitution?
They believed that the Constitution made the federal government too powerful and weakened the states
OR
That the Constitution did not guarantee the protection of individual rights.
What are the 4th and 6th Amendments?
4th: No unlawful searches of property
6th: Right to a speedy and public trial by jury
What major thing could Congress not do under the Articles of Confederation?
Tax
According to the Great Compromise, how would the number of Representatives be determined?
State population
What group actually votes for the president instead of the popular vote?
The Electoral College
What needed to be added to the Constitution in order for Antifederalists to agree to it?
A bill of rights
What are the 5th and 8th Amendments?
5th: Right against self-incrimination
8th: No cruel or unusual punishment
What did the Three-Fifths Compromise decide?
Three out of every five slaves would count for a state’s population.
What are the four powers of Congress covered in class?
Make laws (write bills), tax, coin money, declare war
Explain the process that would remove a president from office.
If the House of Representatives accuses the president of serious wrongdoings, they may vote (⅔) to impeach the President. The Senate conducts the trial, and they may vote (⅔) to remove the President from office.
What is the name for the series of essays written by James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay?
Federalist Papers
What are the 3rd and 10th Amendments?
3rd: No quartering of troops
10th: States can do what they want as long as it doesn't conflict with the federal government or Constitution
What is a Republic?
A government in which citizens rule themselves through elected representatives
What is the process required for a bill to become a law?
Either house may propose and vote upon a bill, which is a proposal of a potential law. If it is approved by a simple majority vote in both houses, it is sent to the president for final approval. If the president signs it, it becomes a law.
What are the four powers of the President discussed in class?
Make treaties (and appoint ambassadors, Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces, suggest bills (Chief Legislator, veto bills
What is an amendment and what is the process needed to create an amendment?
An amendment is a change or addition to the Constitution to deal with issues as they arise.
⅔ of both Houses must approve the amendment, but it also must be ratified (accepted) by ¾ of the states (38 states).
What are the 7th and 9th Amendments?
7th: Right to jury in federal civil cases
9th: Other rights not mentioned in bill of rights are still protected