Articles of Confederation
What was the first governing document of the United States?
The Articles of Confederation
Where and when did the Constitutional Convention take place?
Philadelphia, 1787
What did Federalists support?
A strong central government and the Constitution
What principle divides power between national and state governments?
Federalism
How many branches of government does the Constitution create?
Three
Why did the Articles of Confederation create a weak central government?
Because the states distrusted strong central authority after British rule
What problem were delegates trying to fix at the Convention?
The weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation
Name a main Federalist leader?
Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay
What amendment reinforces states’ rights by reserving powers not given to the federal government?
The Tenth Amendment
What are the three branches of government?
Legislative, Executive, and Judicial
What event revealed the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?
Shays’ Rebellion
What compromise settled the issue of representation in Congress?
The Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise)
What document did the Federalists use to defend the Constitution?
The Federalist Papers
Give one example of a power of the federal government and one of the states.
Federal: interstate commerce; State: education
Give one example of a check and balance between branches.
The President can veto laws; Congress can override vetoes; Supreme Court can declare laws unconstitutional
Name one major power the federal government lacked under the Articles.
The power to tax or regulate interstate commerce
How did the Three-Fifths Compromise affect representation?
It counted three-fifths of enslaved people for both representation and taxation
What did Anti-Federalists fear about the new Constitution?
That it would give too much power to the national government and threaten individual rights
What part of the Constitution outlines the goals of government?
The Preamble
Why did the framers design the government with limited and separated powers?
To prevent any branch or leader from becoming too powerful and protect individual rights
What law banned slavery in the Northwest Territory and promoted public education?
The Northwest Ordinance of 1787
Until what year could Congress not ban the international slave trade?
1808
What compromise secured ratification of the Constitution?
Bill of Rights
What clause gives Congress flexibility to make laws needed to carry out its powers?
The Necessary and Proper Clause
What is the main job of each branch?
Legislative makes laws, Executive enforces them, Judicial interprets them