Foundational Documents
U.S. Constitution
Events
Vocabulary
Types of Democracies
100

Give one reason why the Articles of Confederation failed.

Correct answers include: the national government could not collect taxes- which also meant they weren't able to effectively pay back debts from the Revolutionary War or pay for things like a military; 9 out of 13 states were required to vote in favor to pass a law; all 13 states had to approve to amend the Articles

100

How many branches of government did the new U.S. Constitution create?

Three (3)

100

This event started as a gathering to amend the Articles of Confederation and eventually led to a new constitution

The Constitutional Convention

100

This type of government is led by someone who inherits a leadership role, like a king or queen

monarchy

100

Which type of representative democracy emphasizes limiting the general public's participation in politics and government decision-making? A) Pluralist democracy, B) Elite democracy, C) Participatory democracy

Elite democracy

200

The foundational document that pushed for states' rights and advocated for small independent republics.

Brutus No 1 (Brutus 1 will also be accepted as an answer)

200

The first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution are called...

the Bill of Rights

200

In 1868, the federal government's power grew through the ratification of the _________ Amendment

Fourteenth (14th)

200

This group opposed the new Constitution & advocated for states’ rights

The Anti-Federalists

200

In this type of government, the people vote on every issue instead of electing representatives to make decisions for them

direct democracy

300

The foundational document that asserted that everyone has natural rights and that the people can overthrow a government when their natural rights are violated

The Declaration of Independence

300

The principle of American government that gives each branch some powers to block or influence the powers of the other branches

Checks and balances

300

This event made the country realize that the Articles of Confederation was not working.

Shay's Rebellion


300

The three systems of government are unitary, federal, and ______.

confederal

300

This type of representative democracy emphasizes the role of individual people in policymaking

Participatory democracy

400

What was America's first constitution called?

The Articles of Confederation

400

The clause that says when federal and state laws conflict, the federal law is superior

Supremacy Clause

400

In 1788, the new U.S. Constitution was ______ by 9 states.

ratified

400

When did a unitary system of government rule America?

During colonial times/British rule

400

James Madison alludes to a pluralist democracy as a benefit of the U.S. Constitution in which Federalist paper?

Federalist No 10

500
In these two documents, James Madison argued that the new U.S. Constitution would prevent tyranny

Federalist 10 & Federalist 51

500

The clause in the U.S. Constitution that allows Congress to make laws that they think will help the country

Necessary and Proper Clause
500

After this agreement was reached, the debate between the Federalists and Anti-Federalists began

The Great Compromise (The Connecticut Compromise will also be selected)

500

The Great Compromise created a _________ legislative branch.

bicameral
500

What type of government was established through the new U.S. Constitution?

A democratic republic (representative democracy will also be accepted as an answer)

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