Lecture 1 - Introduction

Question 1

What happened in the mid-18th century?

Answer 1

Wars and growing resistance against England

Question 2

When was the First Continental Congress held?

Answer 2

1774

Question 3

When did the Revolutionary War take place?

Answer 3

1775–1783

Question 4

What happened in 1776?

Answer 4

The Declaration of Independence was signed

Question 5

What are the key points of the Declaration of Independence?

Answer 5

• Individual rights are given directly by God,
• collective right to self-government,
• declaration of independence from Britain

Question 6

What does Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution describe?

Answer 6

Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution explains what Congress (the legislative branch) is allowed to do. It gives Congress 17 specific tasks, such as:

• Collecting taxes (getting money from the people).
• Borrowing money for the government.
• Making rules for trade between states and with other countries.
• Managing and protecting the military.
• Declaring war if necessary.

These 17 powers are called the “expressed powers” because they are written directly in the Constitution. So, when you hear about Article I, Section 8, it’s talking about the 17 things Congress is officially allowed to do according to the Constitution.

Question 7

What does Article VI of the Constitution state?

Answer 7

Federal laws are the supreme law of the land

Question 8

What is the Tenth Amendment?

Answer 8

Powers not given to the federal government by the Constitution are reserved for the states or the people

Question 9

What is federalism in the US?

Answer 9

Two levels of sovereignty: federal and state governments

Question 10

What is the Full Faith and Credit Clause?

Answer 10

States must honor public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of other states

Question 11

What is the Comity Clause?

Answer 11

States cannot discriminate against citizens of other states

Question 12

What is the Interstate Compact Clause?

Answer 12

Agreements between states need approval by Congress

Question 13

What were the stages of federalism from 1789 to the 2000s?

Answer 13

• Nationalization (1789–1834),
• Dual federalism (1835–1930s),
• Cooperative federalism (1930–1970s),
• Regulated federalism (1970s),
• New federalism (1980s–2000s)

Question 14

What does Article 5 of the Constitution describe?

Answer 14

The process for amending the Constitution

Question 15

What is the Bill of Rights?

Answer 15

The first 10 amendments to the Constitution, enshrining individual rights

Question 16

How many amendments have been ratified since 1791?

Answer 16

17 amendments

Question 17

What was the impact of westward expansion?

Answer 17

Combination of purchase, wars, the Civil War, and admittance of western territories as states

Question 18

What happened to Native Americans during westward expansion?

Answer 18

Forced removal and slaughter

Question 19

What role did slavery play in early American history?

Answer 19

Slavery on a grand scale, first by the Spanish, later by the English and Dutch

Question 20

What was the Three-Fifths Compromise?

Answer 20

It was an agreement that counted three out of every five slaves for representation and taxation purposes.

Question 21

What were the two chambers of Congress created by Article I of the Constitution?

Answer 21

The House of Representatives and the Senate.

Question 22

How were members of the Senate originally chosen?

Answer 22

State legislatures appointed them for six-year terms (changed in 1913 by the 17th Amendment).

Question 23

What is the Necessary and Proper Clause?

Answer 23

It gives Congress the power to make laws needed to carry out its expressed powers (also called the Elastic Clause).

Question 24

What is the Supremacy Clause?

Article VI

Answer 24

It states that federal laws and treaties are the supreme laws of the land, overriding state laws.

Question 25

What powers are given to Congress by Article I, Section 8?

Answer 25

Collect taxes, borrow money, regulate commerce, declare war, maintain an army and navy.

Question 26

What is federalism?

Answer 26

A system dividing power between a central government and regional governments (states).

Question 27

Why was the Bill of Rights added to the Constitution?

Answer 27

To protect individual rights; it was adopted in 1791 as the first 10 amendments to the Constitution.

Question 28

What did Federalists support?

Answer 28

A strong national government and the Constitution.

Question 29

What did Antifederalists support?

Answer 29

Strong state governments and a weaker national government.

Question 30

What did Federalists fear?

Answer 30

Mob rule and majority tyranny.

Question 31

What did Antifederalists fear?

Answer 31

Tyranny by elites and minority oppression.

Question 32

What is judicial review?

Answer 32

The power of courts to decide if laws and government actions are consistent with the Constitution.

Question 33

What is separation of powers?

Answer 33

The division of power among the branches of government to ensure no single branch becomes too powerful.

Question 34

What are checks and balances?

Answer 34

Mechanisms allowing each branch of government to influence and limit the other branches.

Question 35

What is a bicameral legislature?

Answer 35

A legislature with two chambers, such as the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Question 36

What were the immediate consequences of the 3/5 compromise?

Answer 36

It gave Southern states greater representation in the House of Representatives by partially counting enslaved populations, thus increasing their political power in the federal government.

Question 37

How did the compromise affect presidential elections?

Answer 37

It increased the number of electoral votes for Southern states, giving them more influence in choosing the president.

Question 38

What long-term consequences did the compromise have?

Answer 38

It deepened the political divide between Northern and Southern states, particularly over the issue of slavery, contributing to tensions that eventually led to the Civil War.

Question 39

What is the significance of Article I, Section 8?

Answer 39

It defines the scope of Congressional authority, giving Congress the power to make laws on important national issues while limiting its power to those specifically listed.