Road to Ratification
Preamble
Articles
Principles of the Constitution
Vocabulary
100
What is a confederation?
What is a group of individuals united together for a common purpose. The United States was considered a confederation because they were a group of 13 independent states with their own governments.
100
What is the Preamble?
What is the introduction or opening section of the Constitution. It lists the goals and purposes of the government.
100
What is the purpose of Articles I, II, and III?
What is the first three articles state the powers and responsibilities of each branch of government. Article I outlines the legislative branch, Article II estabishes the executive branch and Article III sets up the judicial branch.
100
What is the Bill of Rights?
What is the first ten amendments to the Constitution.
100
What does "amend" mean?
What is "to change"?
200
What was the original purpose of the Constitutional Convention?
What is to fix the Articles of Confederation. Instead, they wrote a brand new Constitution because the government was so weak.
200
In the Preamble, what is the meaning of the phrase, "We the People"?
What is government receives its power from the people and exists to serve them.
200
What does article IV describe?
What is the relationship between the states and the federal government, explains federalism.
200
What is republicanism?
What is the idea that the people have power when they elect people to govern for them. The Framers had in mind a government ruled by representatives elected by the people.
200
What does "ratify" mean?
What is "to approve"?
300
What were some specific weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?
What is the government did not have the power to enforce laws, collect taxes to pay for a military, and all states had to agree before any changes could be made. The Articles created a weak central government.
300
According to the Preamble, what is the first goal of the U.S. Constitution?
What is "to form a more perfect Union".
300
What does Article V describe?
What is the amendment process, how and when the Constitution can be changed.
300
What is rule of law and how does it limit government?
What is the idea that the law applies to everyone, even those who lead us and govern us. No one may break the law or can escape its reach. This limits the power of the government because the government can only do what the people allow it to do. This concept protects the liberty of the people and prevents tyranny.
300
What does "execute" mean?
What is "to carry out"?
400
What is the 3/5th Compromise?
What is a compromise concerning slavery and representation. Most slaves lived in the South, and if they were counted as part of the population, the South would gain more power in the legislature. A compromise was made and every five slaves were counted as three free persons. Northern states argued that slaves were only property and therefore could only count as 3/5th of one person.
400
What does "secure the blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity" mean?
What is to guarantee basic rights of all Americans, including future generations.
400
What does Article VII describe?
What is how the Constitution was to be ratified.
400
What is popular sovereignty?
What is the idea that people have the right to rule, all the power of the government lies with the people.
400
What does federalism mean? Explain the powers at each level of government.
What is power is shared between the national government and the states. Each level of government, federal and state, has independent authority over the people at the same time. Expressed/enumerated powers: powers specifically granted to the federal government by the Constitution. Reserved powers: powers set aside for the states, Consitution does not list these. Concurrent powers: powers that are shared by the state and federal government
500
What is the Great Compromise?
What is a compromise concerning representation of the States in the legislature. This compromise was made between the Virginia Plan and New Jersey Plan. (Big states versus small states). The Great Compromise established that Congress would have two houses, The Senate and the House of Representatives. In the Senate, each state would have 2 memebers and get 2 votes. In the House of Representatives, each state's seats would be based on population.
500
Please recite the entire Preamble and explain its meaning. 100 bonus points for singing it in School House Rock fashion :)
What is "We the People in order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
500
What does Article VI describe?
What is the supremacy clause, the Constitution is the "supreme Law of the Land". National government cannot act against it and the states may do nothing that goes against the Constitution or federal law.
500
What is the purpose of checks and balances, and what are some examples of these?
What is the purpose of checks and balances is to prevent any one branch of government from becoming too powerful. Each branch of government can "check" (limit, or control) the power of the other two branches in a number of ways. For example, the executive branch can veto legislation and appoint judges. The legislative branch can impeach the president, override vetoes, reject appointments, refuse to approve treaties, impeach judges, and reject appointments of judges. The judicial branch cand declare legislative acts unconsitutional and declare presidential actions unconsitutional.
500
What does "veto" mean, and who has this power?
What is to block or kill a bill before it becomes a law. The president/executive branch has this power.
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