Articles of Confederation
Define the term "Confederation"
Loose union of states working together for the common good
Define the term "Constitutional Principles" (ie, explain what they mean, don't list all of them)
Values which underlie democratic governance, aka the ideas that are consistent throughout the US Constitution
Provide a definition for the term "Constitutional Convention"
Meeting of government leaders in the early US to improve the functioning of the United States
What are the 3 sections of the US Constitution
1. Preamble
2. Articles
3. Bill of Rights (and eventually other amendments)
Name Puss in Boots' partners in Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (50pts each)
Perrito
Kitty Softpaws
Define the term "Articles of Confederation"
Agreement between the 13 colonies that established the first government for the United States
List all 5 Constitutional Principles (each right answer gets 40 pts)
1. Popular Sovereignty
2. Federalism
3. Separation of Powers
4. Checks and Balances
5. Limited Government
Provide the historical background that led to the Constitutional Convention
Due to failures of the Articles of Confederation, specifically the inability of the central government to handle rebellions like Shay's Rebellion, leaders around the US felt the current functioning of the US government was both insufficient and unsustainable.
Define the term "Bill of Rights"
The first 10 amendments to the US Constitution
What is my cats name?
Pepper
Provide the historical background that led to the Articles of Confederation
The one unifying force that kept the colonies together (antagonism towards the British Empire) was quickly declining with US victory seemingly imminent. The US required a formal document to provide the functioning and ideas of how the fledgling country's distinct parts would now work together as one country.
Define the following constitutional principles: Popular Sovereignty, Checks and Balances (each right answer gets 150pts)
Popular Sovereignty - People have the power, government's job is to serve the people
Checks and Balances - Each branch of government has some power to limit the power of the other branches
Explain the Great Compromise
Created a bicameral Congress (House of Representatives, Senate)
House of Reps had proportional representation, based on state population
Senate had equal representation, 2 per state, regardless of population
Define the "Federalist" and "Antifederalist" position towards the US Constitution
Federalists supported ratification of the US Constitution
Antifederalists opposed ratification of the US constitution
Which football club has the most European champions league titles, and how many do they have? (150 pts for each)
Real Madrid
15
List AND EXPLAIN 3 weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.
Weak Central Government - Couldn't deal with national problems
Strong State Governments - Created unproductive, non-shared economic markets
Unicameral Congress - Not democratic
Only Legislative Branch - No power to enforce or examine the legality of laws
9 of 13 Vote for Laws, Plus Veto Power - Hard to create laws/policies, especially with one troublesome partner
Define the following constitutional principles: Federalism, Limited Government, Separation of Powers (each right answer gets 133pts)
Federalism - Power is divided between the state and the national government
Limited Government - The government ONLY has the powers listed in the constitution
Separation of Powers - Power is divided between 3 branches, each with distinct powers
Explain the 3/5th Compromise, and its significance (200pts for each)
In order to boost representation numbers for Southern States, it was agreed upon to count enslaved people as 3/5th of a person for representation purposes in the federal government. The discussion on whether or not to ban slavery was postponed for 20 years.
This compromise ensured the US constitution could be created and agreed upon by all parties, particularly the southern states, however this compromise was unsustainable and merely delayed the US Civil War about 80 years, which would be fought on this question
What ultimately ensured both major factions at the Constitutional Convention eventually supported ratification of the US Constitution?
Inclusion of the Bill of Rights
Name Napoleon's victory in the War of the 3rd Coalition, which ended the Holy Roman Empire
Battle of Austerlitz
Why did the Articles of Confederation come to an end? (use historical evidence)
The AoC provided a weak framework for the United States to work together on national problems. When rebellions occurred (due to poor economic conditions that made it difficult to pay promised wages to retired soldiers) that required a collective response, the US failed to address the problem as a democratic nation (ie, Shay's Rebellion had rich aristocrats fund and make an army to put it down, not the American public)
Provide an example for each constitutional principle in Modern US Politics (100 pts for each, 2 min prep)
Plenty of right answers
Federalism, Separation of Powers, Popular Sovereignty, Checks and Balances, Limited Government
Compare and contrast the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan, wanted strong central goverment, called for representation by population
Virginia: Made by Madison, Wanted to replace Aoc
New Jersey: Made by Paterson, Wanted to modify AoC, wanted strong state government, called for equal representation among the states
What were the listed goals in the preamble of the US Constitution (100pts for each)
Form a more perfect Union (ideal society)
Establish Justice (fairness, equality)
Ensure domestic Tranquility (national peace)
Provide for the common defense (provide protection)
Promote the general Welfare (wellbeing)
Secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity (secure freedom now and for those to come)
In "Puss in Boots: The Last Wish," name 5 ways Puss in Boots died (you get 100pts for each correct response)
1. Running of the Bulls
2. Crushed By Bell
3. Launched out of Cannon
4. Crushed by weights
5. Burned by oven
6. Jumped off tower while milk-drunk
7. Shellfish
8. Attacked by dogs at a poker game