Conflicts and Compromises
What were the two main plans proposed during the Constitutional Convention for the structure of Congress?
The Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan
What are the three branches of government outlined in the Constitution?
Legislative, Executive, Judicial
Who were Alexander Hamilton and James Madison, and what role did they play in the development of the Constitution?
Set up the convention by asking all of the states to send delegates.
How were divided on the issue of counting enslaved people for representation?
North v. South
What is the purpose of checks and balances in the U.S. government?
To encourage the different branches to work together.
(It is also supposed to make sure no one branch becomes too powerful.)
Who was elected president of the Constitutional Convention?
George Washington
How many senators does each state get according to the Constitution?
2
Which state did NOT send any delegates?
Rhode Island
What was one reason southern states wanted enslaved people counted in the census?
It gave them disproportionate power in Congress.
How can Congress check the power of the president? Name 2.
Override a veto
Refuse to declare war
Senate approval required for some presidential appointees, and all treaties.
What compromise resolved the issue of representation between small and large states?
The Great Compromise
(The Connecticut Compromise)
What is the length of a term for a member of the House of Representatives?
2 years
What role did Roger Sherman play in the Constitutional Convention?
He was the Great Compromiser. Suggested the compromise that helped resolve the issue of how to fairly represent the states in Congress. The House of Representatives represents each state according to population, while the Senate represents each state equally, regardless of population.
How did the Constitution address the issue of the slave trade?
Congress was given the power to impose taxes on imports in exchange for a 20 year ban on laws banning the importation of enslaved people.
What landmark case established the principle of judicial review?
Marbury v. Madison
Describe the major conflict that delegates faced regarding slavery during the Constitutional Convention.
Southern States wanted to count enslaved people for representation, but not for taxation.
Northern States wanted to count enslaved people for taxation, but not for representation.
Explain the main function of Congress as established by the Constitution.
To make and pass laws
Who were the main supporters of a strong national government during the debates?
Larger, more populous states
Explain the concerns of northern states regarding slavery at the time of the Convention.
They believed that since white southerners would not truly represent the interests of enslaved people, counting them for the purposes of representation would give them disproportionate power.
Describe one way the president can check Congress's power.
Veto laws
What was the Three-Fifths Compromise, and why was it significant?
The resolution to the conflict on slavery. States would count 3 out of every 5 enslaved persons for the purposes of representation AND taxation.
What powers are granted to Congress in Article I of the Constitution? List 3
The power to levy taxes, Maintain an army and navy, Regulate trade, Coin and borrow money, Grant patents and copyrights, declare war, establish laws for naturalization and bankruptcy
Who presented the Virginia Plan?
Governor Randolph, of Virginia.
(Extra points if you know that the plan was developed mainly by James Madison.)
What was the impact of the Three-Fifths Compromise on political representation?
Southern states had more representation than was really fair. They dominated the House, and postponing a ban on the importation of enslaved people led to the expansion of the slave trade. A provision in the Constitution requiring non-slave states to return freedom seekers to southern states if caught meant that northern states could not truly take a legal stand against slavery.
Explain how the impeachment process serves as a check on presidential power.