The Constitution of the United States Flashcards
What was the name given to the government of the USA prior to the adoption of the Constitution?
The 1777 Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union
What made the 1777 Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union a very weak system?
They had no power to tax and relied on unanimous agreement in all the states
Who suggested the national import duty in order to raise funds for the government?
Robert Morris
What state rejected Robert Morris’ national import duty?
Rhode Island
What is the name given to the unrest within the army in the early 1780s
The Newburgh Conspiracy
What caused the Newburgh Conspiracy?
Continental Army officers challenging the authority of the Confederation Congress, arising from their frustration with Congress’s long-standing inability to meet its financial obligations to the military.
What did the Shays’ rebellion of 1787 in Massachussetts illustrate?
That the state did not have the power to crush the rebellion
What French political philosopher believed that the United States of America would fail due to the fact that republics couldn’t work on such a large scale?
Montesquieu
What is the name of convention held in May 1787?
The Annapolis Convention
What was the purpose of this convention?
To revise the Articles
During the Annapolis Convention which state provided no representatives?
Rhode Island
What plan can be described as the ‘big state plan’?
The Virginia Plan
What are the main features of the Virginia Plan?
A brand new government, representation by population, a bicameral legislature and a President
What plan can be described as the ‘small state plan’?
The New Jersey Plan
What are the main features of the New Jersey Plan?
Overhaul of the original articles, unicameral legislature and representation by state
The Constitution of the United States of America became the ________ law of the country.
Supreme
What are the three elements to the separation of powers that the constitution ensured?
Legislative, judicial and executive
Who is the best girlfriend ever?
Sarah
What encouraged Americans that the role of the President would not end up becoming a dynasty?
Washington’s inability to have children and he said he would only serve two terms
Where does sovereignty lie in the United States?
With the people
What tells us that sovereignty lies with the people?
The opening line of the constitution - “We the people”
How many states were required to ratify for the Constitution to be adopted?
Two thirds (or nine states)
Between December 1887 and May 1888, how many states ratified the constitution?
8
Who developed the Bill of Rights?
Alexander Hamilton, James Madison and John Jay
