Articles of Confederation
What is the name of the government that came after the Articles of Confederation?
The U.S Constitution.
Name any 3 principles of government.
-popular sovereignty
-checks and balances
-Limited government
-Separation of powers
-federalism
-judicial review
What is the first paragraph in the Constitution called?
The Preamble.
DAILY DOUBLE
What was the New Jersey Plan?
Small state plan, wanted equal representation.
How many people signed the Declaration of Independence?
56.
Why did the Founding Fathers create such a weak government under the Articles of Confederation?
They were afraid of going back to their ex. They didn't want a tyrannical government like the one they had just rebelled from.
Give me one example of Checks and Balances
Possible Answers:
-Congress can write bills but the president can veto.
-Congress can write laws but the Supreme Court can strike them down if they're unconstitutional
-Congress can impeach the president
DAILY DOUBE
What is attached to the Constitution after the articles?
All amendments, including the Bill of Rights.
What was the Virginia plan?
Big state plan, wanted proportional representation.
Where is the Liberty Bell located?
526 Market Street, Philadelphia.
Which event in American history made it painfully clear that the Articles were a failure and had to be replaced?
Shay's Rebellion
DAILY DOUBLE
What is limited government? (a real explanation)
The government is not absolute, it is bound by law. It has specified powers and limitations.
The first 3 articles of the Constitution outline what?
The three branches of government.
What was the 3/5ths Compromise?
3 out of 5 African Americans would be counted towards the population of a state when determining representation in Congress.
Who is credited with the invention of bifocal glasses?
Benjamin Franklin
What power imbalance was the ultimate failure of the Articles of Confederation? Who had all the power?
States had all the power and the federal government was too weak.
Give me an example of Popular Sovereignty.
Possible answers:
-We vote for our representatives
-We vote for our laws
-We vote for our leaders
-We vote to impeach leaders
-We vote to pass or deny taxes
Why is the Constitution so difficult to amend?
Possible answers:
-Because it requires a high percentage of consensus.
-So that the government wouldn't be easily influenced by mobs and trends.
What was the compromise reached between the Federalists and Anti Federalists?
The Bill of Rights
What is the name of the organization that, according to the film, hid the treasure from the British?
(Hint: Ben Franklin was really a member, so were some other Founding Fathers)
The Freemasons.
Tell me two weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation (not that the states were too powerful or the fed too weak)
-Fed can't tax
-Fed can't regulate trade
-Fed can't regulate currency
-There's only Congress
-Difficult to pass laws or amend
-Can't maintain order
Give me an example of Federalism.
Possible answers:
-both Fed and state can tax you
-both Fed and state can make laws over you
-both Fed and state can charge you with a crime and imprison you.
Article 1 of the Constitution is the longest and most detailed part of the whole document. Why?
The Founding Fathers intended for the Legislative Branch (Congress) to be the most important and powerful branch in the government.
What was the product of the Great Compromise?
A Bicameral Legislature.
Two houses of Congress to utilize both forms of representation proposed in the Virginia and New Jersey Plans.
What is actually written on the back of the Declaration of Independence?
"Original Declaration of Independence dated 4th July 1776"