Early American History
Important Documents
Powers of Congress
The House and Senate
Things that are personally interesting to Mr. Sullivan
100

What was decided at the first continental congress

Stop exports to England until intolerable Acts repealed

and/or

Agreed to support MA if they were attacked by England

100

This document formally broke our government off from the colony structure of the British Empire

The Declaration of Independence 

100
People in Congress pass laws by doing this

Voting on them

100

There are 100 Senators and this many house reps

435

100

Mahatma Gandhi led what country to independence in 1947?

India

200

What important event took place at the Second Continental Congress?

Signing of the Declaration of Independence 

200

This document outlines our current frame of government 

The Constitution 

200

This power of congress allows them to rack up the national debt

Borrowing Power

200

House reps serve two year terms while Senators serve for this length of time

Six year terms

200

This U.S. National Park was the most visited in 2023

Great Smokey Mountains National Park

300

The founding fathers were most influenced by what enlightenment theory when they declared independence?

Social Contract

300

Explain how representation would have worked under the New Jersey Plan for the Constitution 

Equal Representation and Unicameral  

300

Building an interstate highway, establishing a national bank, and implementing workplace safety regulations are all implied powers based off of this

The Commerce Clause

300

The Filibuster in the Senate can only be broken by 60 votes for this

Cloture 

300

This video game produced by FromSoftware won game of the year in 2022

Elden Ring

400

Which kind of colony was Pennsylvania under William Penn? (Not on the Midterm)

Proprietary Colony 

400

Why were the Articles of Confederation so weak?

-No power to tax

-No Federal Courts

-Issues enforcing Federal Policy

400

The Electoral duties of Congress allow the house of representatives to do this

Decide a tied presidential election
400

The Vice president also serves as president of the Senate and can break a tied vote. This person fills in for the VP if they are absent or unable to preside.

President Pro-Tempore 

400

On July 29th, 1954, this fantasy novel was first published.

The Lord of the Rings

500

Who is widely regarded as "The Great Chief Justice" and served as Chief Justice during the Supreme Court Case Marbury v. Madison?

John Marshal 

500

Explain in detail two amendments from the Bill of Rights

(various answers accepted)

500

Implied powers of Congress are justified by this clause in the Constitution

Necessary and Proper Clause

500

If a bill is stuck in the rules committee, and the chair of the rules committee refuses to put it to vote, how can other congress people force the bill out?

Majority signatures on petition to discharge 

500

What type of snake does Mr. Sullivan own as a pet?

Cornsnake