Constitution Vocabulary

Question 1

Constitution

Answer 1

Governing document of U.S that creates 3 equal branches of government.

Question 2

Articles of Confederation

Answer 2

First government of U.S that failed due to weak central government. It lasted for 9 years.

Question 3

Bill of Rights

Answer 3

The first 10 amendments of the constitution (changes or additions to the constitution) that guarantee rights.

Question 3

New Jersey Plan

Answer 3

Plan proposed to represent all states with equal power.

Question 4

Virginia Plan

Answer 4

Plan proposed to represent all states’ power based on their population.

Question 5

The Great Compromise

Answer 5

The deal to make the house and senate because they couldn’t decide on Virginia or New Jersey plan. The house of reps bases off the the Virginia plan while the senate bases off of New Jersey plan, and they both have to agree on a law to pass which insures that it is equal to small states and big states.(question: why does the house vote for the senate then if they are different plans? Answer: the house of reps are chosen by the people, so the house of reps is trusted to vote for the senates that the people believe are fair, and since people from both plans vote for the house of reps, then the senate will reflect on what the people want, both sides, while basing on being equal. UPDATE about the senate just “basing on being equal” They do this because the senate represents a full state, and house represent individual districts in states. So individual districts add up to decide on a senate for the state, and the senate is equal to recieve proper state’s power and rights. So yes, senate is voted by the people’s needs and their job is to protect a states’ rights.

Question 6

The 3/5 compromise

Answer 6

Deal between North and south states that 3/5 of slaves in a state count toward that state’s population. The north didn’t think it was fair that slaves weren’t considered citizens yet still counted as power for the state even if they couldn’t vote, meaning each individual vote would be worth a lot more there than each individual vote in other states, but then also, those states with slaves wanted as much power as possible. So, they came to a compromise.

Question 7

Bicameral

Answer 7

When there is two sides or branches (example: House of representatives and senate)

Question 8

Theory

Answer 8

If a state has 6 electoral votes, then why when 70 percent of the state votes for one side it counts as all 6 electoral votes to one side? Why not put 4 votes to one side and 2 votes to the other side? Then votes not with the majority would still have a voice and would combine with other states’ majorities