A GOVERNMENT THAT ACTUALLY WORKS
Under the Articles of Confederation, which level of government held most of the power?
The STATES held most of the power.
At the Constitutional Convention, large and small states disagreed primarily over what issue?
REPRESENTATION in Congress.
Government gets its authority from the people.
POPULAR SOVEREIGNTY.
Which branch makes federal laws?
LEGISLATIVE BRANCH.
“The Constitution will create a stronger and more effective national government.” Federalist or Anti-Federalist?
FEDERALIST.
A citizen peacefully criticizes a government policy in a public speech. Which amendment protects this freedom?
FIRST AMENDMENT.
Congress owes money from the Revolutionary War but cannot require states to provide money. What important power is Congress missing?
The power to COLLECT TAXES.
Which proposal favored representation based on population?
The VIRGINIA PLAN.
Citizens elect representatives to make laws on their behalf.
REPUBLICANISM.
Which branch carries out and enforces federal laws?
EXECUTIVE BRANCH.
“This new national government could threaten the liberties we just fought a revolution to protect.”
ANTI-FEDERALIST.
The government tells a homeowner that soldiers will be living in her house during peacetime. Which amendment should she immediately pull out?
THIRD AMENDMENT.
Nine of thirteen states had to agree before Congress could pass major legislation. Why could this create problems?
It made it DIFFICULT for the national government to act or pass laws.
Delaware says, “Virginia shouldn’t get more power just because it has more people!” Which proposal would Delaware most likely support?
The NEW JERSEY PLAN.
Both the national government and state governments have powers of their own.
FEDERALISM.
Which branch interprets laws?
JUDICIAL BRANCH.
Hamilton, Madison, and Jay wrote essays encouraging Americans to support the new Constitution. What were these essays called?
THE FEDERALIST PAPERS.
An accused person is denied a speedy public trial and isn’t told what crime he has been accused of committing. Which amendment is most relevant?
SIXTH AMENDMENT.
THINK FIRST — BUZZERS CLOSED. Massachusetts faces a serious rebellion, but the national government struggles to respond effectively. What event exposed this weakness?
SHAYS’ REBELLION.
THINK FIRST — BUZZERS CLOSED. Explain how the Great Compromise gave BOTH large and small states something they wanted.
The HOUSE was based on population; the SENATE gave equal representation to every state.
THINK FIRST — BUZZERS CLOSED. Congress writes a law, the president carries it out, and federal courts interpret it.
SEPARATION OF POWERS.
THINK FIRST — BUZZERS CLOSED. The president chooses someone to serve as a federal judge. Before that person gets the job, the Senate must approve the appointment. Who is checking whom?
The LEGISLATIVE branch / Senate is checking the EXECUTIVE branch / president.
THINK FIRST — BUZZERS CLOSED. What major addition to the Constitution helped address Anti-Federalist concerns about individual liberty?
THE BILL OF RIGHTS.
THINK FIRST — BUZZERS CLOSED. A judge sets an outrageously excessive bail amount solely to punish an accused person before trial. Which amendment is most relevant?
EIGHTH AMENDMENT.
THINK FIRST — BUZZERS CLOSED. Why did the weaknesses of the Articles eventually lead Americans to create a new Constitution rather than simply continue with the existing government?
The national government lacked enough power to solve national problems. The Constitution created a STRONGER national government capable of governing more effectively.
THINK FIRST — BUZZERS CLOSED. Southern and Northern delegates disagreed over whether enslaved people would be counted when determining representation. Which compromise attempted to settle this dispute, and what did it establish?
The THREE-FIFTHS COMPROMISE: three-fifths of the enslaved population would be counted for representation.
THINK FIRST — BUZZERS CLOSED. Congress passes a bill. The president rejects it. Congress then votes again and passes it over the president’s objection. Identify the principle AND explain why.
CHECKS AND BALANCES — one branch is using its constitutional authority to limit/check another branch.
THINK FIRST — BUZZERS CLOSED. A federal court determines that a law violates the Constitution. Identify the government action involved and explain how it limits government power.
JUDICIAL REVIEW — the judicial branch can determine that laws or government actions conflict with the Constitution.
THINK FIRST — BUZZERS CLOSED. An Anti-Federalist says: “Replacing one powerful government with another could cost Americans their freedom.” Give TWO constitutional features a Federalist could point to when responding to that concern.
Accept two with explanation: BILL OF RIGHTS / individual rights, SEPARATION OF POWERS, CHECKS AND BALANCES, LIMITED GOVERNMENT, or FEDERALISM.
THINK FIRST — BUZZERS CLOSED. The Constitution doesn’t give a particular power to the national government, nor does it prohibit the states from exercising it. Which amendment helps determine where that power remains?
TENTH AMENDMENT.
THE YEAR IS 1788. Your neighbor worries that the new Constitution will create a national government that becomes too powerful and takes away people’s freedoms. Identify TWO features of the new government that could address this concern and explain HOW each one limits government power or protects citizens. Every team answers; wager before the clue is revealed.
Strong answers may use ANY TWO, with explanation: Bill of Rights / individual rights; separation of powers; checks and balances; limited government; federalism. The vocabulary alone is not enough—the explanation earns it.