The Consitutional Convention
Fill in the blank:
The Constitutional Convention took place ___________ the Revolutionary War.
(before/after)
after
During the Constitutional Convention, state leaders had many arguments over
a. power and representation
b. borders and immigration
c. war and treaties
a. power and representation
Why did states practicing slavery want enslaved people to count towards their total population?
They wanted to say they had larger populations so that they could have MORE representatives in U.S. government
(MORE representatives = MORE power)
How many branches are there in United States government?
three
Why did the creators of the Constitution divide powers between the branches?
They didn't want any one person or group to become too powerful (they didn't want another King to be able to control them)
Where was the Constitutional Convention held?
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (Independence Hall)
States with larger populations wanted state representation to depend on a states population (larger population = MORE representatives).
What is this form of representation called?
Power by population
Where was slavery MOST common in the United States after the Revolutionary War?
a. New England
c. Southern States
b. Southern States
Name each of the branches of United States government
The Legislative Branch
The Executive Branch
The Judicial Branch
Is the President the MOST powerful person in United States government? Explain.
No, the president's powers are limited. The president cannot create new laws or get rid of old laws.
Who attended the Constitutional Convention?
Representatives from each state/state leaders
States with smaller populations wanted all states to have the same number of representatives.
What is this form of representation called?
Equal power
Why did some states continue to practice slavery after the Revolutionary War?
States continued to practice slavery so they could make more money -- if you don't pay your workers, you get to keep more of the money you make.
Which branch has the power to create new laws?
The Legislative Branch
What is another name for the Legislative Branch?
Congress
What was the purpose of the Constitutional Convention?
The create a plan for the new United States government
Why did states with smaller populations want all states to have the same number of representatives?
SAME number of representatives = SAME amount of power in United States government
No one state would have more power in United States government than another
What arguments were made against counting slaves in a state's total population?
Smaller states that had already abolished slavery argued that enslaved people were not ACTUALLY part of the population if they did not have the full rights of other citizens.
Which branch has the power to sign new laws, making them official?
The Executive Branch
What is another name for the members of the Judicial Branch?
The Supreme Court
What was the new plan for U.S. government called?
The Constitution
How was the debate over power and representation in U.S. government solved?
The Constitution says that U.S. government would use BOTH power by population and equal power in the legislative branch of government
Bonus: Explain the details of the solution
States agreed to the 3/5 Compromise.
The 3/5 Compromise stated that states could count 3/5 of enslaved people towards their state's total population, but did not grant any rights to the enslaved people who were counted.
Which branch has the power to get rid of laws after they have been created?
The Judicial Branch
How do everyday people control the United States government?
VOTING!