Groups and/or people
Name two prominent Enlightenment thinkers that laid the foundation for our rights and checks and balances
John Locke and Montesquie
What document established our first government? This is also known as our first constitution.
The Articles of Confederation
What movement happened before the U.S existed and influenced our thinking/documents?
The Enlightenment
What is federalism?
The separation or division or power between the state government and the federal government.
Why did the Articles of Confederation fail?
Because the Federal government was too weak.
Who had most of the power under the Articles of Confederation and why?
The states did because most people were afraid that giving the federal government too much power would lead to tyranny or oppressive rule.
Describe the Virginia Plan and state who proposed it
The Virginia Plan was a presented at the Constitutional Convention. It was proposed by Edmund Randolph but written by James Madison. This plan recommended a bicameral legislature, that states be represented based upon their population numbers, and it also called for the creation of three branches of government.
What is the name of the meeting where our Constitution was drafted?
The Constitutional Convention.
What was something that the delegates from small states and large states disagreed on?
List the weakness of the AOC
Name the three most famous federalists
Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison.
Describe the New Jersey Plan and who proposed it
This plan called for each state to have one vote in Congress instead of the number of votes being based on population. It was introduced to the Constitutional Convention by William Paterson, a New Jersey delegate, on June 15, 1787.
When and where was the Constitution created?
May-September 1787 at Independence Hall in Philadelphia.
What is the Three-Fifths Compromise?
When determining representation and taxes of a state three-fifths of the slave population will be counted.
What document is the following quote from? *Bonus 100 if you name what part "We the People of the United States, 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.."
The Constitution (Preamble)
Describe the wants/ideas of a federalist
They wanted a stronger national/central government and they supported the constitution.
Describe The Great Compromise and state who drafted it
After there was conflict over the Virginia Plan and New Jersey Plan this plan was drafted by Roger Sherman and Oliver Ellsworth. This plan recommended that in the House of Representatives each state would be assigned a number of seats in proportion to its population. In the Senate, all states would have the same number of seats.
What event occurred that concerned Federalists and made many people believe the constitution was needed?
Shays Rebellion
Define Checks and Balances (A.K.A separation of powers)
Our government is divided into branches, each with separate, independent powers and responsibilities so that the powers of one branch are not in conflict with those of the other branches. This keeps one groups or person from becoming too powerful.
What was a highly debated topic between northern and southern states?
Slavery
What did an Antifederalist during this time want?
They wanted the states to be stronger than the national government, a bill of rights, and equal representation (not based on state size or population).
Which document is the following quote from?
"Each state retains its sovereignty, freedom, and Independence, and every Power, Jurisdiction, and right, which is not... expressly delegated to the United States, in Congress assembled."
The Articles of Confederation
What was Shays Rebellion?
Daniel Shays was a Revolutionary War soldier/veteran and farmer. He did not get paid for his service in the war just like many other people. He had bills and taxes he could not pay. He led an insurrection with over 1,000 people. They shut down the courts and expressed their anger.
List in what way(s) the legislative branch can be checked
The legislative branch makes laws, but the President in the executive branch can veto those laws with a Presidential Veto.
The legislative branch makes laws, but the judicial branch can declare those laws unconstitutional.
What is a bill or rights?
*Bonus 100 if you can list our bill of rights
A formal declaration of the legal and civil rights of the citizens of any state, country, and/or federation.
1- Freedom of speech, press, assembly, and religion.
2- The right to keep and bear arms.
3-Prohibits the government from requiring citizens to quarter soldiers.
4- Prohibits unreasonable search and seizure
5- Guarantees trial by jury, just compensation, protected against self-incrimination, guaranteed due process.
6- The right to a speedy and public trial.
7- Federal civil cases (not just criminal cases) also have the right to a trial with a jury.
8- Prohibits the following- excessive bail/fines and cruel and unusual punishment.
9- Unenumerated rights. Meaning that there are other rights that people have that might not be listed and/or can be implied by other rights.
10- The federal government only has the powers that are listed in the constitution.