Constitution Test Flashcards
Why does the U.S. Constitution start with “We the people…” (2 reasons)?
It is a social contract between the people and their leaders.
It is based on popular sovereignty.
What Enlightenment thinker is famous for writing about the social contract?
Jean Jacques Rousseau
What is a “Social Contract”?
An agreement between the people and their leaders.
What Enlightenment Thinker is famous for writing about the Separation of Powers?
Baron de Montesquieu
Why did the founders want “to form a more perfect union”?
Because the Articles of Confederation had many problems and was not working.
What are the six purposes for establishing the U.S. Constitution?
To form a more perfect union, establishing justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity.
What is meant by “establishing justice”?
To have a court system and judges that are fair.
Why did the Founders want to “establish justice”?
Because the Articles of Confederation had no national courts and it cause problems.
What is meant by “insure domestic tranquility”?
To make sure there is peace inside the country.
Why did the Founders want to “insure domestic tranquility”?
So there would not be riots or rebellions in the country. Like Shay’s Rebellion.
What is popular sovereignty?
Power to the people.
What is meant by Separation of Powers?
There are three branches of government each with different roles.
What are the three branches of government?
The Legislative Branch
The Executive Branch
The Judicial Branch
What is the role of the Legislative Branch?
The Legislative Branch makes laws.
What is the role of the Executive Branch?
The Executive Branch enforces the laws.
What is the role of the Judicial Branch?
The Judicial Branch interprets the laws.
What power was the Congress given to “provide for the common defense”?
The power to maintain an army and a navy.
What is meant by “promote the general Welfare”?
To make sure the economy is good. Everyone has good working conditions.
What is meant by “secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity”?
To make sure everyone for all time will not be put in jail for no reason.
Why did the Founders want to “provide for the common defense”?
Under the Articles of Confederation there was no national army and they were unable to make the British leave the forts in the Ohio Valley as was promised.
What are the four theories of the origin of the state?
The force theory.
The evolutionary theory
The divine right theory
The Social Contract
Which theory of the origin of the state is
the United States Constitution based on?
The Social Contract Theory.