Vocab 1
Define Articles of Confederation
the first written plan of government for the United States. A confederation is an association of states that cooperate for a common purpose.
Define the Three-Fifths Compromise
an agreement made at the Constitutional Convention stating that enslaved persons would be counted as three-fifths of a person when determining a state's population for representation in the House of Representatives
What's the purpose of the checks and balances system?
To make sure not one branch of government is too powerful
What is the bill of rights?
a formal listing of the basic rights of U.S. citizens
TRIVIA QUESTION
What has 18 legs and catches flies?
A baseball team
Define Northwest Territory
a law passed by Congress in 1787 that specified how western lands would be governed
Define checks & balances
the system that allows each branch of government to limit the powers of the other two branches
List the qualifications to become president?
Natural born citizen
At least 35
Has to be a resident of the united states for at least 14 years
What's the difference between Federalists v. Anti-Federalists?
Federalists are people who voted for the constitution
Anti-federalists- people who voted against the constitution
What freedoms does the Bill of Rights protect and why are they important?
The Bill of Rights protects the right to bear arms, the right to freedom of speech, and the right to fair trial, as well as protecting the role of the states.
Define Northwest Ordinance
a law passed by Congress in 1787 that specified how western lands would be governed
Define Interstate commerce
trade and other business dealings between two or more states.
What did Congress fear about a strong central government?
Rights for the people would be lost
How has the Constitution created “a more perfect Union”?
By creating the constitution it helped provide laws, and freedom to help us establish a government to make our country work
What is the judicial branch and what does it do?
The Supreme Court and lower federal court; interprets the laws.
Define Great Compromise
the plan of government adopted at the Constitutional Convention that established a two-house Congress. In the House of Representatives, representation from each state is based on state population. In the Senate, each state is represented by two senators.
Define due process
the concept that the government must follow clear rules and act reasonably as it carries out the law.
List at least two rights from any of the amendments (2nd amendment would only have one right you would need to list).
first amendment- freedom of speech and religion
second amendment- the right to bear arms
Third amendment- Quartering Soldiers
Who's the father of the constitution?
James Madison
What is the executive branch?
It's the part of the government that carries out, or executes the laws.
Define ratify
to formally approve a plan or an agreement. The process of approval is called ratification.
Define self-incrimination
putting a person on trial more than once for the same crime
What are the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and why delegates chose to throw it out.
Each state only had one vote in Congress, regardless of size. Congress did not have the power to tax. Congress did not have the power to regulate foreign and interstate commerce. There was no executive branch to enforce any acts passed by Congress.
What compromises emerged from the Constitutional Convention?
To have a bill of rights to make sure everyone's rights were protected
the law-making part of the government; made up of the house and senate