Module 2

Question 1

Who are the Federalists?

Answer 1

Supporters of the constitution

• strong central government
• represented large states
• favored the Virginia plan

Question 2

Who was “Publius” and what did they write?

Answer 2

Federalists John Jay, Alexander Hamilton, and James Madison wrote 85 essays now known as the Federalists papers.

Question 3

Acts that were an overreach of British parliament (in order):

Answer 3

• stamp act (taxation without representation)
• declaratory act (legislation without representation)
• Townshed acts (tax on British imports)
• Quartering act (host military without consent)
• Tea act (only British East India co selling tea in colonies - forcing colonies to pay taxes on tea)
• Coercive (Intolerable) act (closed Boston harbor until Boston tea party was paid for)

Question 4

Why did the anti-federalists oppose the new constitution?

Answer 4

Feared the new constitution would give the central government too much power. That the constitution was a threat to liberty.

Question 5

What two clauses in particular were anti-federalists worried about.

Answer 5

The Necessary and Proper clause
- Congress can make any law necessary to carry out the powers given to them in the constitution.
The Supremacy clause
- Federal law is above state law

Question 6

Was the Bill of Rights originally included in the new constitution?

Answer 6

No, the Bill of Rights was a compromise to gain ratification from anti-federalists.

Question 7

How did Thomas Hobbe’s ideas contribute to the idea of a social contract?

Answer 7

Thomas Hobbes’s (1588–1679) had a fundamentally different rationale for power than the divine right of kings. He thought free men had the right to subject themselves to a ruler who would protect them.

Question 8

How did John Locke’s ideas contribute to the idea of a social contract?

Answer 8

It was Locke (1632-1704) who introduced the idea that the social contract was conditional on the government’s protection of rights and that it could be revoked if the government failed to hold up its end of the bargain.

Question 9

Who wrote the declaration of independence?

Answer 9

Thomas Jefferson

Question 10

4 things to know about the declaration of independence:

Answer 10

1. Justified changing power structures in regards to the right to rule
2. Gave American citizens inalienable rights
3. Blamed the King and Monarchy for breaking the social contract
4. Not everyone was considered a citizen

Question 11

What is mercantilism?

Answer 11

An economic system that sees trade as the basis for the accumulation of wealth

Question 12

What was the articles of confederation (established by the second Continental congress in 1777 and ratified in 1781)?

Answer 12

The first US constitution that emphasized a weak Central government.

Question 13

Under the articles of confederation, the national government could not:

Answer 13

• draft soldiers
• tax citizens
• regulate interstate commerce
• establish a central monetary system

Question 14

The Constitutional Convention was created in an attempt to repair the…

Answer 14

Articles of Confederation

Question 15

Four key comprises that led to the ratification of the constitution:

Answer 15

1. The great compromise (bicameral legislature - 1 based on population, the other equal # of representatives)
2. 3/5 compromise (concerning population)
3. Acceptance of Bill of Rights (Federalists and anti-feds)
4. Federalism

Question 16

Name 3 significant federalists papers

Answer 16

Paper #10 - concerning factions (now interest groups)
Paper #51 - checks and balances, separation of powers
Paper #84 - Hamilton argues a Bill of Rights is limiting

Question 17

What does separation of powers refer to?

Answer 17

The three branches of government that have different responsibilities:

1. Legislative branch - makes laws
2. Executive branch - in charge of executing the law
3. Judicial branch - interpreting the law

Question 18

What does checks and balances mean?

Answer 18

Each branch of gov has the power to limit, or check, the other two branches and restrain some of their actions.

Question 19

What is popular sovereignty?

Answer 19

principle that power is derived from the people.

Question 20

What is a republic?

Answer 20

A government where citizens elect representatives to government.

Question 21

What is the rule of law?

Answer 21

principle that society is governed by law. Even the government must follow laws.

Question 22

What are concurrent powers?

Answer 22

Powers that both the states and the federal government share.

Question 23

what are enumerated powers?

Answer 23

The specific powers of Congress as outlined in Article I, section 8 of the constitution.

Question 24

What are political norms?

Answer 24

Unwritten rules and principles surrounding the constitution.

Question 25

Which portion of the Constitution is meant to maintain the balance of power between the federal government and the states characteristic of federalism?

Answer 25

The Tenth Amendment helps maintain the balance of power between the states and the federal government by stating that any powers not explicitly given to the national government are reserved for the states.

Question 26

What is nullification?

Answer 26

Deceleration by a state that a federal law is void within its borders.

Question 27

Steps of ratification

Answer 27

1. Proposed by either 2/3 vote in both houses of Congress or a national convention called by at least 2/3 of the state legislature
2. Approved by 3/4 state legislatures or ratifying conventions held in 3/4 states
3. Amendment ratified and added to Constitution

Question 28

What are the different types of grants

Answer 28

Block grant - Money to be spent on a certain topic, but not many limitations on how money needs to be spent.
Categorical grant - Money to be spent in accordance with specific instructions
(not a grant but) Unfunded mandates - Required policy on the state but no funding provided.