Chapter 4

Question 1

What was the purpose of the meeting at Mount Vernon?

Answer 1

To workout differences over the commercial navigation on the Potomac River.

Question 2

Where was the constitutional convention held? When?

Answer 2

Philadelphia, may 14, 1787

Question 3

Who were the two most famous Americans to attend the constitutional convention?

Answer 3

George Washington and Benjamin Franklin

Question 4

Who is known as the “Father of the Constitution”? Who wrote the final draft of the constitution?

Answer 4

James Madison is considered the Father of the Constitution. Gouverneur Morris wrote the final draft.

Question 5

How is the constitution a “bundle of compromises”?

Answer 5

Men from different sections of the country put aside enough local interest to produce a document that could be acceptable to people from all sections of the country.

Question 6

Why did the federalist wish the new constitution to be adopted?

Answer 6

They thought that the voters control over the state governments were too great.

Question 7

Who wrote the federalist essays?

Answer 7

Hamilton, Maddison, and Jay, under the pseudonym of “Publius”

Question 8

Why were the anti-federalist reluctant to approve the new constitution?

Answer 8

Argued that the new constitution was a threat to liberty because it lacked a bill of rights.

Question 9

When did the new government begin to function?

Answer 9

In spring of 1789.

Question 10

Annapolis convention

Answer 10

Purpose was to discuss ways of improving the general condition of national government.

Question 11

The Great Decision

Answer 11

Delegates made the “great decision” to put aside the articles of confederation and to draft a brand new constitution for the United States.

Question 12

The Virginia Plan

Answer 12

Called for a bicameral legislature.

Question 13

The New Jersey Plan

Answer 13

Called for a unicameral legislature.

Question 14

The Connecticut Compromise

Answer 14

The national legislature would be bicameral.

Question 15

The Three-Fifths Compromise

Answer 15

Agreed that three fifths of the states slave population would be counted in determining both taxation and representation

Question 16

Commerce and Slave Trade Compromise

Answer 16

Agreed that congress could regulate interstate and foreign commerce and the trade with the Native Americans but could not levy export taxes.

Question 17

New York City

Answer 17

Temporary capital of the new government.

Question 18

What document is called the forerunner of the written constitution in America?

Answer 18

The May Flower Compact.

Question 19

How did the compact and the charter differ?

Answer 19

The compact established a civil relationship among the pilgrims. A charter emphasizes the relationship between the king and the colonies.

Question 20

What documents formed the basis for many state constitutions.

Answer 20

The May Flower Compact.

Question 21

Which state was the first to ratify its constitution by a convention?

Answer 21

Massachusetts.

Question 22

What body acted as a national government for the states throughout most of the war for independence

Answer 22

Articles of confederation.

Question 23

Under the articles of the confederation, how many votes did each state receive in the congress?

Answer 23

Each state received one vote.

Question 24

What success did the congress accomplish in the years 1781-1789

Answer 24

Land ordinance of 1785 and the Northwest ordinance of 1787.

Question 25

What were the 3 weaknesses of the articles of confederation.

Answer 25

1) at least nine states had to approve any measure before it could be passed.
2) the articles provided no executive branches of government.
3) the articles did not grant congress.

Question 26

Articles of confederation

Answer 26

America’s first national constitution.

Question 27

Confederacy

Answer 27

Central government is subordinate to state government and has only the powers which they grant it.

Question 28

Shay’s Rebellion

Answer 28

Put fear of anarchy into the hearts of many Americans.

Question 29

According to the constitutions preamble, what are the six purposes of the constitution?

Answer 29

1) to form a more perfect union.
2) to establish justice.
3) to ensure domestic tranquility.
4) to provide for the common defense.
5) to promote the general welfare.
6) to secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity.

Question 30

What form of government does article IV guarantee to all states entering the union?

Answer 30

Guarantees all states entering the union a republican form of a government.

Question 31

What three limits did the founders place in the constitution to guard against absolute political power?

Answer 31

Federalism, separation of powers, and checks and balances.

Question 32

What are three institutions of power within the United States government?

Answer 32

1) legislative.
2) executive.
3) judicial.

Question 33

What do articles I - III of the constitution describe?

Answer 33

Describes the three branches and how the members are chosen.

Question 34

What does article IV outline?

Answer 34

Outlines federal relationship among the states and between the government and the states.

Question 35

What does article V describe?

Answer 35

Provides for making amendments.

Question 36

What does article VI establish?

Answer 36

Establishes the constitution as supreme law which all judges, and federal/state officers are bound to.

Question 37

What does article VII set forth?

Answer 37

The manner in which the constitution is to be ratified.

Question 38

What is federalism?

Answer 38

A division of the power of government between the national and state governments.

Question 39

What are delegated powers?

Answer 39

The division of powers given from the constitution from federalism.

Question 40

What are reserved powers?

Answer 40

Powers not given to the government by the constitution.

Question 41

What are occurrent powers?

Answer 41

Powers given to both the national and state governments.

Question 42

What are separation of powers?

Answer 42

Political power separated among three political institutions.

Question 43

What are checks and balances?

Answer 43

A system where each branch of government exercises a measure of control over the other branches.