Influences on the Constitution
Which English document limited monarchy by guaranteeing free speech and banning cruel punishments?
English Bill of Rights (1689)
What compromise counted enslaved persons as 3/5 for representation?
Three‑Fifths Compromise
Who impeaches the president? Answer: House of Representatives
what is House of Representatives
Who is Commander‑in‑Chief of the military?
The President
Which amendment bans excessive bail and cruel punishments?
8th Amendment
Who argued that citizens may resist a government that unjustly takes away their
who is John Locke
Which plan gave proportional representation in the House and equal votes in the Senate?
What is Great Compromise
Who tries impeachment cases?
Senate
Who has the power to declare war?
Congress
Which case ruled states cannot tax federal institutions?
McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)
Which philosopher stressed separation of powers to prevent tyranny?
Who is Montesquieu
Which Federalist Paper explained that House membership would grow with population after each census?
What is Federalist No. 55
What fraction of the Senate must vote to remove a president? Answer: Two‑thirds
Two‑thirds
What was the last war formally declared by Congress?
World War II
How many electoral votes are needed to win the presidency?
270
What colonial agreement established self‑government in America in 1620?
Mayflower Compact
Why did Connecticut insist on equal suffrage in the Senate?
Smaller states demanded equal representation to join the Union
What principle allows the Supreme Court to declare laws unconstitutional?
Judicial Review (Marbury v. Madison)
What modern tool does Congress use instead of declarations of war?
Authorizations for Use of Military Force (AUMF)
Daily Double
In Dred Scott v. Sandford (1857), the Supreme Court ruled that this group could not be considered citizens of the United States and therefore had no standing to sue in federal court.
African Americans (enslaved or free)
How did both the English Bill of Rights and John Locke’s writings shape protections later found in the U.S. Bill of Rights? Answer: They limited government power by protecting free speech, banning cruel punishments, and affirming citizens’ right to resist unjust authority.
They limited government power by protecting free speech, banning cruel punishments, and affirming citizens’ right to resist unjust authority.
Explain how the Great Compromise and the Three‑Fifths Compromise together shaped the structure of Congress..
What is The Great Compromise created proportional representation in the House and equal representation in the Senate, while the Three‑Fifths Compromise determined how enslaved persons were counted for representation and taxation.
Describe one way each branch of government can check the other two branches.
Legislative can impeach and override vetoes; Executive can veto laws and appoint judges; Judicial can declare laws or executive actions unconstitutional.
Why does the Constitution divide war powers between Congress and the President, and how has this balance shifted since WWII?
What is To prevent abuse by either branch; Congress declares war and funds the military, while the President directs operations. Since WWII, Congress has relied on authorizations rather than formal declarations, expanding presidential military action.
How do the 8th Amendment and McCulloch v. Maryland together demonstrate limits on government power?
What is The 8th Amendment restricts government punishment (no excessive bail/fines), while McCulloch v. Maryland restricted state power by affirming federal supremacy.