Creating the Constitution
Which statement would be an Antifederalist's argument?
a. The Articles of Confederation are weak.
b. The Constitution must have a Bill of Rights.
c. The Constitution is not perfect, but it is the best we can create.
b. The Constitution must have a Bill of Rights.
Identify two characteristics of the Virginia plan. (Who wrote it. What did the plan propose?)
James Madison wrote the Virginia Plan
He came up with a plan for a stronger federal government which included a legislative, judicial, and executive branch.
The plan included a bicameral (two-body) legislature with an upper and lower house.
Representatives in the lower house would be elected by the people. Representatives in the upper house would be elected by members of the lower house.
Which of the following is one of the Reconstruction Amendments which was passed after the Civil War?
a. 8th Amendment (outlaws cruel and unusual punishment)
b. 14th Amendment (grants citizens equal protection under the law)
c. 19th Amendment (grants women the right to vote)
d. 24th Amendment (outlaws poll taxes)
b. 14th Amendment (grants citizens equal protection under the law)
What is one weakness of the Articles of Confederation?
Congress was unable to fund the army or pay veterans.
Congress could not collect taxes.
Congress only had the power to make laws, not enforce them.
Approval from 9 of the 13 states was needed to pass a law.
Congress could not regulate international trade.
Each state had a single vote in Congress, regardless of population.
Bonus
100 Points
Which statement is a Federalist argument?
a. A strong Federal government is dangerous for the states.
b. State should have more power to govern their people correctly.
c. A federal government can work with check and balances.
c. A federal government can work with check and balances.
Which of the following is not a characteristic of the Virginia Plan?
a. Written by James Madison.
b. Three branches of government
c. Bicameral legislature with an upper house and a lower house.
d. Same number of votes for each state in Congress
Same number of votes for each state in Congress.
The government is divided into branches. Each branch has distinct powers.
a.Separation of Powers
b.Checks and Balances
c. Popular Sovereignty
d.Republicanism
e. Limited Government
f. Federalism
a.Separation of Powers
What is one strength of the Articles of Confederation?
Congress set up rules for settlers to buy land in the Northwest Territory.
Congress was able to win the Revolutionary War.
Read the preamble below and explain its purpose.
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 Constitution for the United States of America.
The purpose of the preamble is to explain six reasons why the people are establishing the Constitution.
Which Article of the Constitution explains the Executive Branch?
Article 2
List three exclusive powers of the state government.
1. Maintain militias
2. Conduct elections
3. Establish local
governments
4. Provide for public
safety, health, welfare,
and education
5. Ratify constitutional
amendments
6. Regulate trade within
the state
The government’s power comes from the consent of the people.
a.Separation of Powers
b.Checks and Balances
c. Popular Sovereignty
d.Republicanism
e. Limited Government
f. Federalism
c. Popular Sovereignty
Which article of the constitution explains the Three-Fifths Compromise?
a. Article 1 section 9
b. Article 1 section 4
c. Article 4 section 2
How did it effect the nation?
1. This led to the importation of thousands more enslaved people into the United States.
2. As a result, escaped slaves were chased into the North and caught. Free blacks were also illegally kidnapped and returned to slavery.
3. This increased the South’s representation and power in Congress and in the Electoral College.
b. Article 1 section 4
3. This increased the South’s representation and power in Congress and in the Electoral College.
Bonus
300 Points
Which Article of the Constitution explains the Judicial Branch?
Article 3
List three exclusive powers of the federal government.
1. Coin money
2. Regulate mail
3. Declare war
4. Raise armies
5. Conduct foreign
affairs
6. Create rules for
citizenship
7. Regulate trade
between states
8. Regulate foreign trade
Each branch of government can limit the power of the other branches.
a.Separation of Powers
b.Checks and Balances
c. Popular Sovereignty
d.Republicanism
e. Limited Government
f. Federalism
b.Checks and Balances
Which article of the constitution explains the Slave Trade Clause?
a. Article 1 section 9
b. Article 1 section 4
c. Article 4 section 2
How did it effect the nation?
1. This led to the importation of thousands more enslaved people into the United States.
2. As a result, escaped slaves were chased into the North and caught. Free blacks were also illegally kidnapped and returned to slavery.
3. This increased the South’s representation and power in Congress and in the Electoral College.
a. Article 1 section 9
1. This led to the importation of thousands more enslaved people into the United States.
Explain how power is separated between the three branches of government. Give an example of at least one power held by each branch.
The Legislative Branch makes laws. Congress has the power to collect taxes and declare war. The Executive Branch enforces laws. The president commands the armed forces and issues executive orders. Lastly, the Judicial Branch interprets laws. The judges decide cases involving the Constitution, two or more states, and foreign nations.
Which Article of the Constitution explains the Legislative Branch?
Article 1
List three shared powers between the federal and state governments.
1. Tax citizens
2. Create laws
3. Enforce laws
4. Charter banks
5. Establish courts
6. Borrow money
7. Take private property
for public use (called
eminent domain)
A government’s power is restricted by a Constitution in order to protect individual rights.
a.Separation of Powers
b.Checks and Balances
c. Popular Sovereignty
d.Republicanism
e. Limited Government
f. Federalism
e. Limited Government
Which article of the constitution explains the Fugitive Slade Clause ?
a. Article 1 section 9
b. Article 1 section 4
c. Article 4 section 2
How did it effect the nation?
1. This led to the importation of thousands more enslaved people into the United States.
2. As a result, escaped slaves were chased into the North and caught. Free blacks were also illegally kidnapped and returned to slavery.
3. This increased the South’s representation and power in Congress and in the Electoral College.
c. Article 4 section 2
2. As a result, escaped slaves were chased into the North and caught. Free blacks were also illegally kidnapped and returned to slavery.
List two individual rights protected by the Bill of Rights and give an example of how they could apply to your life.
The First Amendment protects freedom of speech. This is the right to say what you believe even if other people disagree. For example, you cannot get arrested for saying something critical of the government.
Another right protected by the Bill of Rights is protection against unreasonable search and seizure (Fourth Amendment). This means that the police cannot search your house without asking permission. If you do not give them permission, they have to get a legal search warrant.