This first governing document of the U.S. failed because it created a weak central
The Articles of Confederation
Which plan proposed at the convention favored large states by basing representation on population?
The Virginia Plan
Who is known as a key architect of the Constitution and a primary author of the Federalist Papers?
James Madison
Which principle states that the government's power comes from the "consent of the governed"?
Popular Sovereignty
Which branch of government is responsible for creating and passing laws?
Legislative Branch
What is the key term for a formal revision or addition to the Constitution?
Amend
Which plan favored small states by proposing that every state should have equal representation?
New Jersey Plan
Who served as the leader of the Constitutional Convention?
George Washignton
What is the division of power between the national (Federal) government and the state governments?
Federalism
Which branch, led by the President, is responsible for carrying out and enforcing laws?
Executive Branch
The Articles of Confederation failed because it lacked power at which level of government
Federal Government
What agreement settled the population debate by counting only a portion of enslaved people?
3/5 Compromise
Who is credited with proposing the Great Compromise to solve the debate over state representation?
Roger Sherman
Which system gives each branch of government ways to limit the powers of the other branches?
Checks and Balances
Which branch is made up of the court system and is responsible for interpreting the law?
Judicial Branch
What did the Articles of Confederation fail to handle, leading leaders to call for a new convention?
Struggles (such as economic issues or Shays' Rebellion)
Which agreement set up the current structure of our legislative branch?
Great Compramise
Who were the two groups that debated whether the new Constitution should be ratified?
Federalists and Anti-Federalists
Which principle ensures that the government is not all-powerful and must follow the law?
Limited Government
What is one example of how a branch can check or balance another?
The power each branch has to check the others
Why was the Articles of Confederation considered a failure as a central government?
It lacked necessary powers to function effectively as a Federal government
What were the series of essays written to convince the public to support and ratify the new Constitution?
Federalist Papers
Which key person and Federalist was a primary advocate for a stronger central government?
Alexander Hamilton
What is the system where people elect representatives to exercise power for them?
Republicanism
What document defines how our government is structured and how the three branches operate?
The Constitution