Articles of Confederation
What event sparked the need to revise the USA's first government?
Shays' Rebellion
What is a constitution?
A government's rule book.
It explains the government's purpose, how it is structured, the processes of how it works, and its ideals.
What are the names of the 3 branches of government?
Legislative - Executive - Judicial
What are the first 10 amendments to the Constitution called?
The Bill of Rights.
Which branch of government holds the most power?
None of them.
Powers are equally separated among the 3 branches of government.
What was the overall problem of the Articles of Confederation?
The central/national/federal government was too weak.
The individual states had more power than the federal government.
What is a compromise?
An agreement that requires each person or group to give up something they want so that they can solve a problem.
What is the main purpose of the Legislative Branch?
The Legislative Branch's main purpose is to make laws.
What is an amendment?
Any change made to the original Constitution.
What do we call the leader of the Executive Branch?
The President
Why was the US government broke under the Articles of Confederation?
To make a law official or to formally approve it is called what?
Ratify
What is the main purpose of the Executive Branch of government?
Enforcing the laws is the main purpose of the Executive Branch.
What amendment says the government cannot inflict cruel and unusual punishments upon you?
The 8th amendment
What are the titles of the leaders of the Supreme Court?
The Chief Justice & Associate Justices.
Why was the United States losing respect with other countries under the Articles of Confederation?
The government could not enforce treaties or pay back its war debt from the American Revolution.
What was the Great Compromise, and how did it make all the states happy?
It created a bicameral legislature, which made big and small states happy because they both would be fairly represented in Congress.
What is the main purpose of the Judicial Branch of government?
Interpreting the laws to ensure they are constitutional is the main purpose of the Judicial Branch.
What are 2 things the 6th amendment says you get to have if you are accused of committing a crime?
a speedy trial
an attorney (lawyer) to represent you through every stage of the criminal process
(from your arrest through a jury trial)
Are there limits to the First Amendment right we have regarding the freedom of speech?
Yes!
Give an example for bonus points.
Why were disputes between the states hard to solve under the Articles of Confederation?
There was no court to settle disputes.
What was the main purpose of the Bill of Rights Compromise?
To protect & preserve the liberties/freedoms of the people from the government.
or
Prevent the government from abusing its power over the people.
What are the names of BOTH parts of the USA's legislative branch of government, which is also known as Congress?
The Senate
The House of Representatives
What does it mean if someone says, "I plead the 5th."
They are invoking their 5th amendment right by choosing not to answer a question the government has asked them.
What is a warrant, and which amendment is it best associated with?
A warrant is a permission slip from a judge that gives the cops the right to search your property.
This is stated in the 4th amendment.