Chapter 6

Question 1

Republican Problem

Answer 1

The question of how the benefits of self-government can be enjoyed without incurring its inherent problems

Question 2

Constitutional Structure

Answer 2

The nature and arrangement of mechanisms in a constitution that organize the government

Question 3

Constitutional Drift

Answer 3

When power in the government does not remain where it was originally placed

Question 4

Confederation

Answer 4

Defensive alliance among sovereign equals

Question 5

Articles of Confederation

Answer 5

Document outlining an alliance of sovereign equal states in which there was weak central governing Continental Congress

Question 6

State sovereignty

Answer 6

When ultimate political power resides in the state rather than the federal government

Question 7

Gouverneur Morris

Answer 7

Pennsylvania representative at the Constitutional Convention, Morris is credited with authoring large sections of the Constitution, including the Preamble

Question 8

Charles Pinckney

Answer 8

South Carolina representative at the Constitutional Convention, Pinckney was a strong promoter of Federalism and helped persuade ratification of the Constitution in SC

Question 9

George Mason

Answer 9

Virginia representative at the Constitutional Convention, Mason refused to sign the Constitution because it did not contain a declaration of rights

Question 10

Virginia Plan

Answer 10

Plan presented during the Constitutional Convention in which each state would have proportional representation in the Congress

Question 11

New Jersey Plan

Answer 11

Plan presented during the Constitutional Convention in which each state would have equal representation in the Congress

Question 12

William Patterson

Answer 12

New Jersey representative at the Constitutional Convention who presented the New Jersey Plan, which gave equal representation to states regardless of size or population

Question 13

The Great Compromise

Answer 13

Proposed by Roger Sherman, it brought together the New Jersey and Virginia Plans by having the upper congressional house representation equal by state and the lower house representation proportional by population

Question 14

Roger Sherman

Answer 14

Connecticut delegate to the Constitutional Convention, Sherman proposed the Great Compromise of one legislative house having proportional representation while the other had equal representation

Question 15

Popular sovereignty

Answer 15

The idea that the power is created by and subject to the will of the people. It was the basis for Madison’s proportional representation in Congress and a justification by the South for the continuance of slavery

Question 16

Benjamin Franklin

Answer 16

one of the most well-known Founders, Franklin was also a leading printer, scientist, inventor, and diplomat. He helped secure France as an ally during the Revolutionary War.

Question 17

Federalism

Answer 17

Dividing powers between the national and states governments

Question 18

Three-fifths compromise

Answer 18

Part of the compromise on slavery, where 3 out of 5 slaves were counted as part of state population for taxation and representation

Question 19

Auxiliary precautions

Answer 19

structure in the government to make it more difficult for power to become concentrated in any one group’s hands, seen by the founders as a backup system to virtue. Madison talks about this in Federalist 51.

Question 20

Constitutional mechanism

Answer 20

Parts of the Constitution that help organize and control power

Question 21

Hume’s filter or filters of consent

Answer 21

When the people select the most virtuous representatives, who in turn select even more virtuous government officials

Question 22

Separation of Powers

Answer 22

Dividing powers of government between the three branches

Question 23

James Wilson

Answer 23

A primary framer of the Constitution, Wilson proposed the three-fifths compromise for slave representation and election of the President by the people. He was also key in Pennsylvania’s ratification of the Constitution

Question 24

Checks and Balances

Answer 24

Bridging the separation of powers between branches of the government by placing part of each power within two separate branches

Question 25

Faction

Answer 25

A group of individuals who share the same specific political agendas

Question 26

Counterpoise

Answer 26

A force, influence, or weight that counterbalances another, e.g., the roles of prosecutor and defense attorney in a trial.

Question 27

John Adams

Answer 27

1735-1826 Founding Father and proponent of a bicameral legislature, Adams served as the second President of the United States

Question 28

Bicameral Legislature

Answer 28

A legislature in which there are two separate divisions or houses

Question 29

James Madison

Answer 29

Fourth President of the United States and Founding Father, madison is often called the “Father of the Constitution.” He co-authored The Federalist with hamilton and Jay, and helped Jefferson create the democratic- Republican Party.