Principles vs. Concepts
True/False: Popular sovereignty means that the government gets its power from the people.
True
Which document influenced the First Amendment’s freedom of religion?
Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom
Fill in the blank: The Great Compromise created a __________ house legislature
TWO! (Bicameral)
True or False: “Establish justice” means creating fair laws and courts.
True
How many times has the Constitution been amended?
27 times (27 amendments)
True or False: Separation of powers means that each branch of government has the same responsibilities.
False
(Bonus point if you know the correct principle!)
Fill in the blank: The ____ was the first document to guarantee rights to Englishmen.
Charters of the Virginia Company of London
Describe ONE key point of the Virginia Plan.
Answers vary: Representation by population, strong national government, two house legislature
What does “promote the general welfare” mean in the Preamble?
"Promote the general welfare means ..."
Use tax dollars to provide a better quality of life for Americans (ex. education/roads)
What are the two main steps in the amendment process for the U.S. Constitution?
Ratification and Proposal
Define “limited government” AND give one example.
"Limited Government is _____________. An example is ____________"
The Government is not all powerful - Examples may vary- Ex. Limits with the laws Congress can pass
Which document stated that people have unalienable rights like life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness?
Declaration of Independence
WHY did Constitutional Convention occur?
"The Constitutional Convention happened because the..."
Create a new form of government! Articles of Confederation were weak!
Which Purpose? The Treasury Department issues paper money and coins to be used in all states
To form a more perfect Union
Which amendment process requires the following: 2/3 of U.S. Congress Propose and 3/4 of State Legislatures Ratification
U.S. Constitution
Which CONCEPT explains that if state and national laws clash, national law wins.
Supremacy Clause
Which founding document is the earliest example of Rule of Law?
Magna Carta
Describe one way the New Jersey Plan differ from the Virginia Plan.
"One difference between the plans is ...."
1) Representation by population vs. equal 2) Strong vs. limited national government 3) One house vs. two house
Which Purpose? The 19th Amendment was added the U.S. Constitution which guarantees all women the right to vote.
To secure the blessings of liberty
Why did the Founders make the amendment process difficult?
"The founders made it difficult because ..."
The Founders made the amendment process difficult so that changes to the Constitution would be carefully considered and not made too quickly. They wanted to protect the rights of the people and make sure that only important and widely supported changes would be added.
How does “rule of law” protect citizens?
"Rule of law protects citizens by ..."
Answers may vary - protects citizens from powerful government and makes sure everyone must follow the law
Why was the Articles of Confederation considered weak?
"The Articles of Confederation is considered a weak document because ...."
Answers may vary - Limited National Government, Unable to tax or enforce laws, no judicial branch
Explain how the Great Compromise resolved the issue of representation in Congress
"The Great Compromise helped issues by..."
1) Balance with large/small state interest 2)bicameral legislature 3)House of Representatives (population) AND Senate (equal representation)
Choose one phrase from the Preamble of the U.S. Constitution. How does the government show it today? (ex. domestic tranquility ---> emergency services help keep peace and safety in communities)
"One phrase is_______, and the government shows it by ______"
“Establish justice” → The government makes fair laws and uses courts to treat people equally. “Provide for the common defense” → The military protects the country from outside threats. “Promote the general welfare” → Government programs help people stay healthy, safe, and educated. “Insure domestic tranquility” → Police and emergency services help keep peace and safety in communities. “Secure the blessings of liberty” → People have rights like free speech and voting.
Compare the amendment process for the U.S. Constitution and the Virginia Constitution. What’s one similarity and one difference?
One similarity between the U.S. Constitution and the Virginia Constitution is _____.
One difference is ______________.
Similarity: Both the U.S. Constitution and the Virginia Constitution require approval from lawmakers and the people to make changes.
Difference: The U.S. Constitution needs 2/3 of Congress to propose and 3/4 of state legislatures to approve an amendment. The Virginia Constitution can be changed by a majority vote in the General Assembly and then approved by voters in a statewide election.