Overview
What does "liberty" mean?
Freedom
Who was chosen as the chairman of the Constitutional Convention?
George Washington was chosen as the chairman.
What is a bill of rights?
A bill of rights is a list of basic rights that the government protects.
What do the first three words of the Constitution say?
"We the People."
Who presented the Virginia Plan?
Edmund Randolph presented the Virginia Plan.
Where did the delegates meet to create the new government?
They met in Independence Hall in Philadelphia.
What was the Virginia Plan?
The Virginia Plan called for a strong central government to protect liberties.
Why did some delegates think a bill of rights was unnecessary?
They believed the state constitutions already included those rights.
What is a republic?
A republic is a government where the power comes from the people.
Who is known as the "Father of the Constitution"?
James Madison
Who influenced the ideas of self-government?
Thomas Jefferson
What is the separation of powers?
The separation of powers divides government into three branches, each with its own duties.
How many amendments were added as the Bill of Rights?
Ten
Why is voting important in a republic?
Voting is important because it allows people to choose their representatives.
Which founding father ran for Congress after the Constitution was approved?
James Madison ran for Congress after the Constitution was approved.
What document did the delegates create in 1787?
The U.S. Constitution
What system limits the powers of each branch?
The system of checks and balances limits the powers of each branch.
When was the Bill of Rights signed/ratified?
The Bill of Rights was signed/ratified in 1791.
What responsibility do citizens have when voting?
Citizens should learn about the candidates before voting.
What role did Alexander Hamilton play in the Constitutional Convention?
Alexander Hamilton was a key person who supported a strong central government.
What are "unalienable rights"?
Unalienable rights are rights that cannot be taken away, like life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
What was the main issue debated at the Convention?
The main issue was how much power the central government should have.
Name one right protected by the Bill of Rights.
One right is freedom of speech.
What did the Founding Fathers create through their work?
They created a representative democracy—a republic.
What did the delegates focus on during their debates?
They focused on protecting American freedoms and drafting the new constitution.