Constitution Test 6/17/21 Flashcards
What was the purpose of the US Constitution?
it was to create a plan for our government after winning independence from Great Britain
Who played a major role in drafting the US Constitution? (list three people)
included people such as:
Benjamin Franklin
George Washington
James Madison
When did America win independence from Great Britain?
1783
When did the Constitution Convention meet?
1787
What was the name of the group that met to create the US Constitution?
Constitutional Convention
Which framer of the constitution favored a strong national government?
James Madison
What was James Madison’s nickname due to so many of his ideas being included in the creation of the US Constitution?
Father of the Constitution
What were James Madison’s ideas called for the US Constitution?
“The Virginia Plan” named after the state where he lived
By what year did all thirteen colonies ratify the constitution?
1790
Define convention
a meeting of several people for a common purpose or task
Define principles
basic truths that guide how people should act
Define minority
a group having less than the number of votes necessary for control
Define sovereignty
power or right of a state or country to govern itself; being independent of the control of others
Define judicial
having to do with courts of law and judges
What principles are included in the US Constitution?
- Limited Government
- Rule of Law
- Majority Rules
- Minority Rights
- Separation of Powers
- Checks and Balances
- Popular Sovereignty
What is the purpose of the principle of “Limited Government” mean?
The role of the government shall not violate the rights of the citizens.
What is the purpose of the principle “Rule of Law”?
A country should be governed by the rules of laws it creates, and these laws apply to everyone.
What is the purpose of the principle “Majority Rules”?
When a decision must be made between two choices, the choice with the most votes is chosen.
What is the purpose of the principle “Minority Rights”?
Includes both an individual’s rights, as well as the rights of a smaller group within a given population.
What is the purpose of the principle “Separation of Powers”?
Each branch of government has powers that are separate from the others and that do not interfere with the function of the other branches.
What is the purpose of the principle “Checks and Balances”?
The branches of government have powers that limit the authority of the other branches.
What is the purpose of the principle “Popular Sovereignty”?
Power to govern is granted by the citizens through their elected representatives.
The Constitution splits the government into how many groups/branches?
three
What are the three branches/groups of the government?
Executive
Legislative
Judicial
What two things do the three branches of our government work together to do?
- Make sure our country’s laws are fair
2. Citizens are treated equally under the law
