The Constitution Quiz Study Guide Wednesday, March 9th Flashcards
Constitution
Lesson 8 Section 3
A written plan that provides the basic framework of government
Republic
Lesson 8 Section 3
A country governed or led by ELECTED representatives
The people pick who leads the country
Compromise
Lesson 8 Section 5
An agreement in which each side gives up a part of what it wants
The large and small states needed to reach a compromise about representation in government.
Ratify
Lesson 8 Section 10
To formally APPROVE a plan or agreement
9 out of 13 states needed to sign the Constitution to ratify it.
George Washington
Delegate from Virginia
Chosen to be the President of the Constitutional Convention
James Madison
Delegate from Virginia
Known as the “Father of the Constitution”–he took detailed notes at the Constitutional Convention
Wrote the Virginia Plan
William Paterson
Delegate from New Jersey
Wrote the New Jersey Plan and presented it at the Constitutional Convention
Roger Sherman
Delegate from Connecticut
Came up with the Great Compromise, which settled the argument about representation between large and small states
Constitutional Convention’s Main Purpose
To revise (fix, improve) the Articles of Confederation
Secrecy Rule
What was it? Why did the founding fathers need it?
Locked doors/boarded windows
Did not want any of the public finding out about what they were talking about
Did not want to be influenced by the views of people outside of the convention
How many branches did the plans create? What were they?
3 branches of government
Executive—enforce laws
Legislative—makes laws
Judicial—interprets laws
Executive Branch
Enforces Laws
Legislative Branch
Makes Laws
Judicial Branch
Interprets Laws
New Jersey Plan:
- One house legislature (unicameral)
- Equal representation in Congress
- Supported by smaller states who feared losing power in federal the federal government
Virginia Plan:
- Two house legislature (bicameral)
- Representation to Congress based on population
- Supported by larger states
The Great Compromise:
- Two house legislature (bicameral)
- Equal representation in the upper house Congress (Senate)
- Representation in the lower house of Congress (House of Representatives) to be proportional to population
Counting Slaves in the population: How did the North feel vs. the South?
North: DID NOT want to include slaves in the population because they were not free people (did not have the right to vote)
South: DID want to include slaves in the population—it would give them a larger population count
They would get more representatives in Congress
What did the compromise say?
How slaves were going to be counted in the population:
3 out of every 5 slaves would be counted in the total population count
Fugitive Slave Clause: Northerners had to return escaped slaves back to the South
Ratification of the Constitution:
The Constitution was ultimately RATIFIED on September 17, 1787 in Philadelphia.
The Federalists and Anti-Federalists made a COMPROMISE that added a BILL OF RIGHTS to the Constitution.
These are the first 10 Amendments to the Constitution and protects people’s natural rights such as freedom of speech and trial by jury.
6 Principles of the Constitution: Popular Sovereignty
The idea that the government’s power comes from the people
EXAMPLE: In the Preamble to the Constitution it says, “We the PEOPLE of the United States…”
6 Principles of the Constitution: Limited Government
The government is not all-powerful.
Rule of Law: Government officials ARE NOT above the law (Example: The President must follow the same laws as us!)
6 Principles of the Constitution: Separation of Powers
Each branch of government should have distinct (separate) powers:
Legislative Branch
Executive Branch
Judicial Branch
6 Principles of the Constitution: Checks and Balances
Each branch of government should have powers that limit the other branches.
This helps not one branch get TOO POWERFUL.
6 Principles of the Constitution: Judicial Review
The Supreme Court may determine whether or not the government’s actions or laws go along with the Constitution.
Established in Marbury v. Madison (1803)
6 Principles of the Constitution: Federalism
The national government and the state governments should share power.
Preamble (Introduction): Goals of the Constitution: To form a more perfect union
We join together to create a group of states that are ruled by one government and work together.
Preamble (Introduction): Goals of the Constitution: To establish justice
We create fair laws and courts
The Supreme Court evaluates laws and state courts carry out laws and punishments.
Preamble (Introduction): Goals of the Constitution: To ensure domestic tranquility
We create peacefulness at home
Example: Police forces help keep peace in our towns.
Preamble (Introduction): Goals of the Constitution: To provide for the common defense
We created a military.
Military forces protect our nation—Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, etc.
Preamble (Introduction): Goals of the Constitution: To promote the general welfare
Protect WELL-BEING of citizens
Welfare: The state of being happy, healthy, or successful.
Preamble (Introduction): Goals of the Constitution: To secure the blessings of liberty
Our rights are protected by the Bill of Rights (First 10 Amendments to the Constitution)
Example: Freedom of speech
Article 1 of the Constitution: The Legislative Branch: Legislative Branch
(Lesson 8 Section 4)
The branch of government that is responsible for MAKING (writing) the LAWS for our country The CONGRESS (Senate and House of Representatives) makes up this branch
Article 1 of the Constitution: The Legislative Branch: Senate
- 100 Members (2 from each state)
- Must be 30 years old
- Must be a U.S. citizen for 9 years
- Serves 6-year terms
- Directly elected
Article 1 of the Constitution: The Legislative Branch: House of Representatives
- 435 Members (based on population of each state!)
- Must be 25 years old
- Must be a U.S. citizen for 7 years
- Serves 2-year terms
- Directly elected
Article 2 of the Constitution: The Executive Branch: Executive Branch
(Lesson 8 Section 4)
The branch of government that is responsible for EXECUTING THE LAWS or making sure people FOLLOW the laws The PRESIDENT (executive) is the leader of this branch
Article 2 of the Constitution: The Executive Branch: Requirements to be President
- Must be at least 35 years old
- Must be a natural-born citizen (born in the United States)
- Must live in the U.S. for at least 14 years
- Serves 4-year terms (can serve maximum 2 terms)
Article 3 of the Constitution: The Judicial Branch: Judicial Branch (Lesson 8 Section 4)
The branch of government that is responsible for applying and INTERPRETING THE LAWS
- The SUPREME COURT tells the country and people what the laws MEAN
- There are 9 justices on the Supreme Court.
Article 3 of the Constitution: The Judicial Branch: Requirements to be a Justice
- Length of Term: Justices serve for life (unless they resign or get removed)
- NO formal requirements to be a justice!
- The President picks which people he would like to be Supreme Court Justices.
- The Senate must then approve his picks in order for them to officially become a justice.
