Constitution

Question 1

Articles of Confederation

Answer 1

America’s first written constitution, served as basis of national government until 1789

Question 2

Three-Fifths compromise

Answer 2

At the Constitutional Convention of 1787 that stipulated that for purposes of the apportionment of congressional seats only three fifths of slaves would be counted

Question 3

The Great Compromise

Answer 3

Gave each state an equal number of senators regardless of its population, but linked representation in the House of Representatives to population.

Question 4

Virginia Plan

Answer 4

Edmund Randolph, that called for representation in the national legislature based on the population of each state

Question 5

New Jersey Plan

Answer 5

William Paterson, that called for equal state representation in the national legislature regardless of population

Question 6

Political Theories

Answer 6

Humans are self interested(Thomas Hobbes)
Natural Rights: Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness
Consent of the Governed(John Locke) : People giving their consent to a government to rule over them. We elect our representatives.

Question 7

Bill of Rights

Answer 7

First Ten Amendments, ratified in 1791

Question 8

Federalists

Answer 8

Those who favored a strong national government and supported the constitution proposed at the constitutional convention of 1787

Question 9

Anti-Federalists

Answer 9

Those who favored a strong state government and a weak national government.

Question 10

Article I

Answer 10

Provides a Congress consisting of the House and the Senate(Legislative Branch)

Question 11

Article ll

Answer 11

Establishment of the Presidency(Executive Branch) which carries out and enforces federal laws,

Question 12

Article lll

Answer 12

Supreme Court (Judicial Branch)

Question 13

What were the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?

Answer 13

There was no judicial branch or president.Congress had little power over the states and could not force them to pay taxes, regulate trade, or maintain an army.

Question 14

Majority rule vs Minority rights

Answer 14

A self-interested majority could very easily trample minority rights, but if too many small, self-interested groups were protected by the government, the power of the democracy would be undermined.

Question 15

Small states versus large states

Answer 15

If representation in the national legislature was based on state population, as the Virginia Plan suggested, the bigger state would dominate proceedings, while if representation was given on a “one state, one vote” basis, as the New Jersey Plan suggested, congressional action would give more voice to the smaller, less populous states.

Question 16

Separation of powers

Answer 16

The division of governmental power among several institutions that must cooperate in decision making

Question 17

Expressed Powers

Answer 17

Specific powers granted by the constitution to congress and to the president

Question 18

Checks and Balances

Answer 18

Mechanisms through which each branch of government is able to participate in and influence the activities of the other branches

Question 19

National power versus state and local power

Answer 19

the Constitution gave the states reserved powers.That is, Constitutional powers not given to the national government (or prohibited to the states) are reserved for the states. Federalists, who favored a strong national government, were able to include the national supremacy clause, which stipulated that national law trumps state law if the two ever conflict.

Question 20

Necessary and Proper Clause

Answer 20

Provides congress with the authority to make all laws “necessary and proper” to carry out its enumerated powers.

Question 21

Judicial review

Answer 21

The power of the courts to review and if necessary declare actions of the legislative and executive branch unconstitutional. Marbury v Madison.