Module 5

Question 1

Constitution

Answer 1

Plan of Gov’t

Question 2

Legislature

Answer 2

Lawmaking body/group

Question 3

Delegates

Answer 3

Representative

Question 4

Ratification of Ratify

Answer 4

Formal approval

Question 5

What were the Articles of Confederation

Answer 5

First attempt at a national Constitution

Question 6

What successes did the Articles of Confederation have and what did each do? (3)

Answer 6

1. Gained independence and expanded trade
2. Land Oridance of 1783- procedure for surveying and selling western lands.
3. Northwest Ordinance- procedure for territories to become states

Question 7

What things were the federal government able to do under the Articles of Confederation? (4)

Answer 7

1. Issue money
2. Sign treaties
3. Wage war (maintain armed forces)
4. Borrow money

Question 8

What were the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation & why did they limit the national gov’t? (5)

Answer 8

1. Congress could not levy taxes –> Gov’t struggled to get money

2. Congress could not regulate trade –> if there problems b/t states, the Federal gov’t could not resolve

3. No chief executive –> No one designated to enforce laws
4. Could not raise an army (Draft soldiers) –> Could not defend the nation should an issue arise
5. 13 out of 13 needed to agree to make changes –> made it very difficult to get things done

Question 9

Explain 4 events/examples that made it clear that the Articles of Confederation were not working, Domestic Policies & Foreign Policy. (4)

Answer 9

Domestic Policy–>

1.Financial Depression (High inflation)

2.Shays Rebellion - “last straw” before going to look at the Articles again. Group of angry farmers who could not pay their taxes. Tried to shut down courts - State stopped them. Near miss and could have become a much bigger issue.

Foreign Policy –>
1. Could not resolve disputes w/ England (not leaving forts in NW & closed trade in the West Indies)

2.Could not resolve disputes w/ Spain (Closed the Mississippi River)

Question 10

What was the Constitutional Convention and why was it important?

Answer 10

Meeting to revise the Articles but instead wrote the Constitution

Question 11

Why is James Madison considered the “Father of the Constitution”?

Answer 11

Many ideas in the Constitution were his
(For example, Virginia Plan ect.)

Question 12

What was the Virginia Plan?

Answer 12

Plan to set up the Legislative branch with two houses (Bicameral), representation based on population (Large states an advantage).

Question 13

What was the New Jersey Plan?

Answer 13

Plan to set up the Legislative branch with one house, representation equal for all States. (Small states advantage)

Question 14

What was the Great Compromise?

Answer 14

Created a bicameral legislature, Senate is equal per state, House of Representatives is based on population (proportional representation)

Question 15

What was the Three Fifths Compromise?

Answer 15

Debate of how much of a Slave population counted toward representation. Decided on 3/5 Compromise.

Question 16

What issue does the Virginia Plan, New Jersey Plan, The Great Compromise and the Three Fifths Compromise have in common?

Answer 16

Representation in legislative branch

Question 17

Who were the Federalists and what were The Federalist Papers?

Answer 17

Supporters of the New Constitution and wanted it ratified.
Federalists Papers were essays arguing for ratification written by Publius.

Question 18

Who were the anti - Federalists?

Answer 18

Against ratification of the Constitution

Question 19

What is the Bill of Rights and why was it written?

Answer 19

First 10 amendments to the Constitution, written to protect the rights of citizens. Convinced the anti-Federalists that rights would be preserved.

Question 20

What is the chronological order of the important gov’t documents that we have discussed?

Answer 20

Dogs –> Declaration of Independence

Are –> Articles

Cuddly –> Constitution

Buddies –> Bill of Rights