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How did the Constitution separate the powers of government?
It separates powers among three branches: the legislative, executive and judicial branch.
How many states had to ratify the Constitution for it to become law?
9
What does ratify mean?
Approve
Tell me what a Federalist was and an Anti-Federalist.
Federalist: Supported writing the Constitution and wanted a stronger central government
Anti-Federalist: Did not support the Constitution and wanted to keep the Articles of Confederation. They did not support a stronger central government. They also wanted the Bill of Rights added to the Constitution later.
Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?
Thomas Jefferson
Where do we see the famous words, "We the People.." (What document?)
The Preamble to the Constitution
What did Franklin mean by these words after they signed the Constitution, "I have often looked at that sun without being able to tell whether it was rising or setting. But now at length I have the happiness to know that it is a rising and not a setting sun."
He was talking about how there was so much hope for the new nation of America because of the signing of the Constitution.
What did Patrick Henry mean when he said, "I smelt a rat".
He was implying that he did not trust what was going to happen in the convention. He did not support what they would be talking about, which was having a bigger central government.
Where was the Declaration of Independence signed? Name the name of the building and where it is located.
What was the compromise called that said that for every 5 enslaved workers, 3 votes were counted when figuring the number of representatives for the House of Representatives?
3/5 Compromise
What is one way the president can check the power of Congress?
The president has the power to veto laws passed by Congress.
What term is used to describe how the federal government is divided into three branches, all having different roles, but the same amount of power?
Separation of powers
Tell me the three branches of government and what they do.
Legislative Branch- Makes the laws
Executive Branch- Carries out and enforces the laws
Judicial Branch- Interprets the law
Explain the meaning of posterity.
Future generations, descendants
What did the Articles of Confederation do to the central government?
It gave the central government too little power
Name 4 of the 10 rights listed in the Bill of Rights.
Freedom of speech
Freedom of religion
Freedom of the press
Freedom to assemble peaceably
What is one important way the Constitution limits the federal government?
It lists what the government can and cannot do.
It has a Bill of Rights that guarantees rights and freedoms.
What is the Bill of Rights?
Two acceptable answers:
It is a list of rights for citizens
It is the first ten amendments to the Constitution
What compromise was made to win ratification of the final two states?
Federalists promised the Anti-Federalists that if the Constitution was ratified, the Federalists would work to add a Bill of Rights after ratification.
What was the first state to ratify the Constitution?
Delaware
What are some powers that only the national government has? Give two examples.
National Government: Admit new states, Declare war and make peace, create a military, control trade between states and with other countries, print and coin money, make laws for citizenship
How does the separation of powers help provide for limited government?
It makes sure that each branch of government checks and balances the powers of the other branches.
What is federalism?
Two acceptable answers:
It divides the power between different levels of government.
It is the system of dividing powers between the national government and the states.
What are some powers that only the state governments have? Name two.
State Government: Conduct elections, set qualifications for voting, control trade within the state, set up local governments, make laws for marriage and divorce, set up public schools
Name two powers that are shared by the national and state governments.
Shared: collect taxes, borrow money, set up court systems, make laws to provide for public health, safety, and welfare