Enlightenment & Influences
What movement in the 1700s encouraged people to use reason and science to solve problems?
The Enlightenment
What is the system called where power is shared between national and state governments?
Federalism
Which branch makes the laws?
Legislative branch (Congress)
What is the system that allows branches to limit each other’s power?
Checks and balances
What group supported the Constitution?
Federalists
What does it mean to ratify something?
To officially approve
What English philosopher believed people are born with natural rights like life, liberty, and property?
John Locke
What phrase means the Constitution is the highest law in the country?
Supreme law of the land
Which branch carries out the laws?
Executive branch
What can the President do to stop a law passed by Congress?
Veto a law
What group opposed the Constitution?
Antifederalists
How many states had to ratify the Constitution before it could go into effect?
Nine states
Which two British documents limited the power of the king and inspired the Framers?
The Magna Carta and the English Bill of Rights
Give one power that belongs only to the national government.
Examples: printing/coining money, dealing with foreign countries, regulating trade, declaring war (any one)
Which branch interprets the laws?
Judicial branch
How can Congress respond if the President vetoes a law?
Override the veto with a two-thirds vote
What essays were written to support the Constitution?
The Federalist Papers
Which state was the first to ratify the Constitution?
Delaware
Who argued that government power should be separated into different branches?
Baron de Montesquieu
Why did the Framers replace the Articles of Confederation?
The Articles of Confederation were too weak and ineffective
Which branch is led by the President?
Executive branch
What power allows the Supreme Court to stop a law it finds unconstitutional?
Judicial review / declare it unconstitutional
Name one major fear of the Antifederalists.
Fear of strong central government / loss of freedoms / no bill of rights
In what year was the Bill of Rights added?
1791
According to John Locke, what should people do if a government fails to protect their rights?
They can change or overthrow the government
Explain one way federalism balances power between states and the national government.
Simple answer: Power is shared so neither states nor national government becomes too powerful
Why did the Framers divide government into three branches?
To prevent any one group from becoming too powerful
Why were the Framers afraid of giving too much power to one branch?
They feared tyranny / another king-like ruler / too much power in one place
What promise helped convince states to ratify the Constitution?
Promise to add a Bill of Rights
Why was the Bill of Rights added to the Constitution?
To protect individual rights and freedoms