Culture in America
True or false: all elements of American culture came originally from Europe.
False
The Constitutional Convention took place in which city and in which year?
In Philadelphia, PA, in 1787
The Articles of Confederation were ratified in what year?
1781
Which group of people wanted the Bill of Rights to be added to the Constitution?
anti-federalists
The names of almost half of the states came from which culture?
Native American culture
What was the purpose of the Constitutional Convention?
To deal with the weaknesses in their government and replace the Articles of Confederation with a new constitution.
According to the Articles of Confederation, who had the power to collect taxes?
Only the states could raise taxes. Since the national government could not raise taxes, it had difficulty raising money to pay debts and expenses.
This amendment contains the rights of a person accused of a crime. The most important of these rights is the right to remain silent. A person accused of a crime can have a lawyer present when they are being questioned. They also don't have to answer any questions that would make them look guilty.
Which amendment is this describing?
Fifth Amendment
Why is the US often referred to as a 'melting pot'?
Various cultures from many countries have 'melted' together to create what America is and how American culture is defined today.
What was the main difference between the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan?
According to the Virginia Plan, Congress would be made of two parts, or houses. Representatives would be chosen according to the number of people who lived in each state.
According to the New Jersey Plan, there would be one house in Congress. Each state would have the same number of representatives, regardless of population.
What happened during Shays' Rebellion? What was the cause for the rebellion?
The government under the Articles of Confederation had the power to address some concerns that related to all states. However, it lacked the power to handle important issues such as taxes on trade goods and the need for one common currency. Committees handled details related to the whole nation because there was no individual chief executive, or president.
In 1786, a group of angry farmers in western Massachusetts tried to shut down the Massachusetts Supreme Court. The perspectives of different social classes, such as farmers and businessmen, were pulling the country in opposing directions. The group was led by Daniel Shays, a former soldier who served in the Revolutionary War. The uprising became known as Shays’ Rebellion. In 1787, the Massachusetts state militia brought an end to Shays’ Rebellion. However, the uprising convinced many people that the country needed a stronger national government to prevent further violence.
The Bill of Rights promises that punishment for a crime cannot be cruel or unusual, meaning that it cannot be painful or degrading to the person's dignity. What punishment would be considered cruel and unusual?
a. Someone who commits assault is beaten as punishment.
b. Someone caught shoplifting is made to pay a fine and write an apology.
c. Someone caught driving while drunk is punished by revoking driving privileges.
d. Someone caught littering is punished by being made to pick up trash on the highway.
a. Someone who commits assault is beaten as punishment.
Based on what you've learned, how does American culture compare to a salad bowl?
There are many differences between groups of people in America, but they mix together well, like a salad.
What was the Three-Fifths Compromise?
In the Three-Fifths Compromise, the Framers agreed that a portion of the total number of enslaved persons in a state would count toward representation. The portion, as indicated in the title, was three-fifths. For example, for every five enslaved persons a state had, three would count towards the state's population total. An increased total meant more representation. The Framers also agreed to the Commerce and Slave Trade Compromise. This compromise said that export taxes would not be allowed, but Congress could reconsider ending the slave trade in 1808. While these compromises served to maintain political unity, they did not address the injustice of slavery itself. In fact, they reinforced the idea that enslaved persons were not full citizens.
Which answer best explains how the Articles of Confederation addressed the question of creating a court system?
a. The Articles established the trial-by-jury system for the first time in history.
b. The Articles created state, regional, and national courts throughout the land.
c. The Articles took control of the court system and appointed judges for life-time terms.
d. The Articles did not establish a national court system, and courts stayed under the control of the states.
d. The Articles did not establish a national court system, and courts stayed under the control of the states.
What does the Tenth Amendment say?
The Tenth Amendment says that the federal government can only use those powers given to it in the Constitution. All other powers belong to the states. This amendment satisfied the Anti-federalists, who thought the federal government could get so powerful that it would destroy the states.
Modern-day lacrosse came from a sport that was originally played by a specific group of people. What was the original name of the sport and who first played it?
It was originally called stickball and was originally played by many Native American tribes. French settlers who observed the game called it lacrosse.
Usually the Electoral College vote reflects the outcome of the popular vote, confirming the choice made by citizens. However, the winner of the popular vote has not won the electoral vote five times in our nation's history. Name 2 of these times, with the candidates involved and the election years.
The 2000 election, when Al Gore won the popular vote but George W. Bush was elected president, and the 2016 election, when Hillary Clinton won the popular vote and Donald Trump was elected president, are recent examples. These outcomes have sparked renewed debate over the future of the Electoral College.
According to the Articles of Confederation, what was the role of Congress and the states in putting together the army and navy? Describe the roles of both Congress and the states individually.
Congress was able to raise and lead the army and navy. In order to raise an army and navy, you need soldiers. Congress had to ask states for help. In times of a national crisis, this could become an obstacle.
States had to send soldiers and officers to the army and navy: They essentially established their own militias. They also could provide or refuse Congress with troops to defend the nation if needed.
The Fifth Amendment guarantees that no person can be made to witness against himself in court. This means that a person cannot be forced to speak about or confess to a crime. Which statement best illustrates why this is important?
a. Police may sometimes have to trick suspects into confessing.
b. Police should not be allowed to torture suspects until they confess.
c. Police would have to catch someone in the act of committing a crime to arrest them.
d. Police should not be allowed to ask suspects directly whether they committed a crime.
b. Police should not be allowed to torture suspects until they confess.