History
Vocabulary
Constitutional Convention
Three Branches
Bill of Rights
100
What was our country's first constitution?
Articles of Confederation
100
The principle of "separation of powers" is outlined in the U.S. Constitution. Power is divided into three different branches of government called...
legislative, executive, and judicial
100
What is the purpose of the "preamble" in the U.S. Constitution?
Acts as an INTRODUCTION. Explains that the new government was formed to protect the rights of citizens.
100
Who is in the executive branch of government?
The President also, V.P. and heads of cabinets.
100
What is the Bill of Rights?
A list of 10 Amendments to the U.S. Constitution. It includes basic rights of citizens.
200
What was it that the colonists feared that caused them to make the federal government under the Articles of Confederation so weak?
Because Americans feared having another powerful leader, like King George III (KG3).
200
What does "amendment" mean?
To change or add something to a legal document (Constitution).
200
What are the three branches of government that Articles I, II, and III break the government into?
Legislative, Executive, and Judicial
200
Who is in the Judicial Branch?
Supreme Court Justices, other federal courts
200
What does "ratify" mean?
To confirm or approve. 9 out of 13 states were required to ratify the new Constitution.
300
Some people wanted to replace the Articles of Confederation because they were "weak." Give one example that shows how the AOC were "weak."
States printed their own money, federal government could not collect taxes, only had a legislative branch, no standing national army (Shays' Rebellion), etc.
300
This is one of the seven principles our Constitution is based on. It is a way of governing that shares power between the states and the nation.
Federalism Federal, come from latin word foedus - means LEAGUE States still have sovereignty, or power.
300
Give one example of how the Legislative branch can check the other two branches.
Congress can override a President's veto (executive branch) Congress has to approve the appointments to the Supreme Court (Judicial Branch)
300
Who makes up the Legislative Branch?
Congress
300
Was the Bill of Rights an original part of the Constitution?
No It was added to help ensure ratification of the Constitution. Some people felt that the U.S. Constitution gave the federal government too much power and they wanted a list of basic rights added to help protect citizens.
400
What event after the Revolutionary War showed that the federal government could not keep order or protect its citizens?
Shays Rebellion
400
This is one of the seven principles our Constitution is based on. It means people exercise their power by voting for political representatives.
Republicanism In a REPublic you vote for REPresentatives that vote on your behalf.
400
What was the agreement between southern and northern states called that determined that a certain fraction of a slave population would be counted for a state's total population.
The Three-Fifths Compromise
400
The Legislative Branch breaks Congress into two houses. What are they?
The Senate House (Upper House) and the House of Representatives (Lower House)
400
What are the five parts of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution?
Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Religion, Freedom of Assembly, Freedom of Press, and Freedom of Petition
500
Was there a President under the Articles of Confederation?
NOPE! We did not have a president until 1789.
500
What makes our current U.S. Constitution a "living document."
The fact that we can make amendments to it. Supreme Court can declare laws constitutional/unconstitutional.
500
What do we call the agreement between delegates of the Constitutional Convention that determined Congress would be made up of two houses, and it also detailed how representation would be determined for Congress.
The Great Compromise A bit of the Virginia Plan (two houses, representation based on population) + a smidge of the New Jersey Plan (equal representation) = The Connecticut Plan a.k.a. the GREAT COMPROMISE
500
Which house is based on equal representation and which house is based on population.
Senate = equal representation House of Representatives = population
500
Think (NOT TALK) of the third amendment. Why do you think the delegates at the Constitutional Convention chose to add this amendment as a basic right?
Because of the Quartering Act before the Revolutionary War when the colonists had to house and feed British soldiers.
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