Constitution Bowl Flashcards
How were delegates to the Constitutional Convention chosen?
They were appointed by the legislatures of the different States.
Which State did not send delegates to the Constitutional Convention?
Rhode Island.
Where did the delegates of the Constitutional convention assemble (city and state)?
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
True or False: the delegates kept the proceedings of the Constitutional convention secret?
True.
What was the average age of the deputies to the Constitutional Convention?
About 44.
Who was the oldest member of the Constitutional Convention?
Benjamin Franklin
How many members of the Constitutional Convention had been members of the Continental Congress?
Forty, and two others were later members.
Were there any members of the Constitutional Convention who never attended any of its meetings?
Yes. (There were nineteen who were never present. Some of these declined, others merely neglected the duty.)
Who was called the “Sage of the Constitutional Convention”?
Benjamin Franklin, of Pennsylvania.
Who was called the “Father of the Constitution”?
James Madison, of Virginia.
Was Thomas Jefferson a member of the Constitutional Convention?
No. Jefferson was American Minister to France at the time of the Constitutional Convention.
Who presided over the Constitutional Convention?
George Washington.
How long did it take to draft the Constitution?
It was drafted in fewer than one hundred working days.
Who presented the Virginia Plan?
Edmund Randolph.
What is the name of the first great compromise of the Constitutional Convention, whereby it was agreed that in the Senate each State should have two members, and that in the House the number of Representatives was to be based upon population?
The Connecticut Compromise.
What is the name of the compromise made by the delegates of the Constitutional convention that determined that three out of every five slaves was counted when determining a state’s total population for legislative representation and taxation?
The three-fifths compromise.
How many delegates refused to sign the Constitution?
Three. Randolph and Mason, of Virginia, and Gerry, of Massachusetts.
How many delegates signed the Constitution?
Thirty-nine.
The vote of how many States was necessary to ratify the Constitution?
Nine (Art. VII).
What year was the Constitution written?
1787
About how many of the 55 delegates to the Constitutional convention owned slaves?
25
In the course of ratification, how many amendments were proposed by the different State conventions?
124
Name all three authors of the Federalist Papers.
James Madison, John Jay, and Alexander Hamilton.
What was the pen name the three authors of the Federalist Papers used?
What was the pen name the three authors of the Federalist Papers used?
How is membership in the House of Representatives determined?
State population.
What was the first state to ratify the Constitution?
Delaware.
How long after the signing of the Constitution was it ratified by 9 of the 13 states?
10 months.
Were there any anti-federalist papers published?
Yes (but they were not a unified series like the federalist papers).
According to the National Archives, which book influenced the Framers of the Constitution the most?
Montesquieu’s Spirit of Laws
Name one significant right or principle established in Magna Carta.
No new taxes unless a common counsel agrees; All free men have the right to justice and a fair trial with a jury (due process); The Monarch doesn’t have absolute power. The Law is above all men and applies to everyone equally (the rule of law); All free citizens can own and inherit property; Widows who own property don’t have to remarry; Church rights are protected
Which philosopher argued that people possessed the fundamental rights to life, liberty and property and that it was the government’s duty to protect these rights?
John Locke.
Which philosopher argued that the natural state of humans was conflict and anarchy and a powerful monarchy was the best form of government?
Thomas Hobbes.
Which philosopher argued that the best form of government was one in which the legislative, executive, and judicial powers were separate and kept each other in check?
Montesquieu.
According to the preamble, what do the people hope to form?
A more perfect union.
According to the preamble, what do the people hope to establish?
Justice.
According to the preamble, what do the people hope to insure?
Domestic tranquility.
According to the preamble, what do the people hope to provide for?
The common defense.
According to the preamble, what do the people hope to promote?
The general welfare.
According to the preamble, what do the people hope to secure?
The blessings of liberty.
According to the preamble, for whom do the people hope to secure the blessings of liberty?
Themselves and their posterity.
Which article of the Constitution deals with the legislative branch?
Article 1.
How many senators is each state entitled to have?
2
How many senators currently serve in Congress?
100
How many representatives currently serve in Congress?
435
What is the minimum age requirement for a senator?
30
What is the minimum age requirement for a representative?
25
What’s the nickname of Article 1, section 8, clause 3?
The Commerce clause.
How long is the term of a representative?
2 years.
How long is the term of a senator?
6 years.
How many years must a senator be a citizen before taking office?
Nine years.
Who has the power to declare war?
Congress.
How can Congress overcome a presidential veto?
Congress can pass bills over a presidential veto with a 2/3 vote in both chambers.
Which chamber of Congress tries all impeachments?
The Senate.
Before the introduction of the 17th Amendment, how were members of the Senate elected?
Direct vote by the state legislature.
