Vocabulary
This is a proposed law. It is an idea written down and introduced in Congress that can become a law if it is approved.
What is a bill?
Article 1, Section 2 of the Constitution says that when calculating a state’s population, three out of every five enslaved people would be counted. What is this known as?
What is the 3/5 Compromise?
This belief that the country is far too large for a national government to be effective was held by what group?
What are the Antifederalists?
These are the first three words of the Preamble.
What is "We the people?"
This branch makes laws.
What is the legislative branch?
A rule that everyone must follow.
What is a law?
State population determined the number of representatives a state would have in the House of Representatives and this.
What is the Electoral College?
This view believed a national government can work if it has separation of powers and checks and balances.
What is the Federalist view?
Give two reasons why the Constitution was established.
What is to “form a more perfect Union” and “establish justice.”
Other possible answers: insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty
This branch of government decides court cases involving two or more states.
What is the judicial branch?
The power of the president to reject a bill passed by Congress, preventing it from becoming a law (unless Congress overrides this.
What is a veto?
Slavery was not outlawed until this amendment was passed in 1865.
What is the 13th Amendment?
September 17, 1787 is a significant date. What happened on this day in U.S. history?
What is the Founding Fathers finished writing the Constitution?
This phrase in the Preamble means “to keep citizens safe, healthy, and happy.”
What is "promote the general welfare."
List two things that Congress has the power to do.
What is collect taxes and coin money.
Other possible answers: Borrows money, Regulates commerce, Makes naturalization laws, Creates bankruptcy laws, Establishes post offices, Creates copyright laws, Declares war, Raises armies and navies, Punishes counterfeiters, Makes any other laws which are “necessary and proper”
A small group of members of Congress who study, discuss, and make changes to a bill before it is voted on by the full group.
What is a committee?
Article 4, Section 2 contains this clause that says freedom seekers must be returned to their enslavers.
What is the Fugitive Slave Clause?
Antifederalists argued for this in the Constitution.
What is a Bill of Rights?
This means to declare by law.
What is ordain?
This group of people is hand picked by the president and advises them as they head up different governmental departments.
What is the Cabinet?
The act of choosing or deciding on something.
What is vote?
Article 1, Section 9 says that no law could be passed to ban this until 1808.
What is the slave trade?
This person said, “ Sir, I agree to this Constitution with all its faults, if they are such; because I think a general Government necessary for us ...I doubt too whether any other Convention we can obtain, may be able to make a better Constitution.”
Who is Benjamin Franklin?
This phrase in the Preamble can be interpreted as “to create a fair society.”
What is "establish justice?"
This branch of government can impeach the president or judges.
What is the legislative branch?