USA + UK comparison - the constitution

Question 1

What is a recent example of someone using their freedom of speech (1st amendment) to protest? USA

Answer 1

Colin Kapernick, NFL star who refused to pledge allegiance the flag as it represented the 13 states which supported slavery.

Question 2

What is a recent example of someone using their right to protest? UK

Answer 2

Rashford, No To Racism campaign in prem. Zaha, refusing to bend the knee for BLM as it was demeaning.

Question 3

What are the cultural differences of the US and UK constitutions?

Answer 3

USA set up after a war UK evolved over time, USA separation of church and government (arguably), right to keep and bear arms, USA state freedom is vital, USA has a president which is elected UK heads of state are not elected.

Question 4

What are the structural differences of the US and UK constitutions?

Answer 4

USA codified UK is not, USA law is entrenched UK is not, USA single easily accessible document UK many different sources, USA constitutional sovereignty + federalism UK parliamentary sovereignty, USA supreme court more powers given by founding fathers (intended as an umpire for state and federal govs).

Question 5

What are the similarities of the US and UK constituions?

Answer 5

3 branches of government however UK has fused branches, (statute law, common law, Cabinet Manual and authoritative texts all codified), Amendment processes to change laws (USA harder however).

Question 6

What are the similarities of the US and UK constituions? (2)

Answer 6

Bill of Rights 1791 / Human Rights Act 1998, Changed over time (27 amendments eg. FDR served 4 terms then a limit 1951 23nd amendment), 2 chambers however THOL unelected, devolution/federalism.

Question 7

What was the Philadelphia Convention?

Answer 7

Created the first written constitution for any nation in the world. 55 delegates met May 25th - Sept 17th 1787. 3 branches of power but designing them was tricky. Washington elected as first president.

Question 8

What are constitutional rights?

Answer 8

Rights that place legal limits on the state authorities over the people. eg Freedom of speech 1st amendment

Question 9

name 6 of the 12 founding fathers

Answer 9

Washington, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, James Madison, George Mason, Jefferson.

Question 10

What is the Bill of Rights 1791?

Answer 10

The first 10 amendments to the US constitution

Question 11

What were the articles of confederation?

Answer 11

Written document that established the functions of the us government after it declared independence

Question 12

what were some of the issues with the articles of confederation?

Answer 12

legislature problems (1 vote per state, all 13 must agree to an amendment), ‘confederation’ but power was with the states (could make their own judiciaries, delegates could not be arrested), contradictions (article 4 stating all citizens of every state have the same rights but there was 3/5 rule of 1783)

Question 13

What rebellions made Americans realise that TAOC were not providing a strong enough national government?

Answer 13

Shay’s rebellion (1786) and The Pennsylvania mutiny of 400 continental army soldiers (1783)

Question 14

When did the founding fathers create the constitution?

Answer 14

1787

Question 15

What two plans did were put forward to tackle the disproportionate voting system?

Answer 15

The Virginia Plan
New Jersey plan

Question 16

What was James Madison’s 1787 Virginia Plan?

Answer 16

Bicameral legislature (two houses) and proportional representation.

Question 17

What was William Patterson’s 1787 New Jersey Plan?

Answer 17

Unicameral legislature in which each state gets one vote. (minimal changes from TAOC)

Question 18

What did the Virginia and New Jersey Plans lead to?

Answer 18

The Connecticut Compromise (a bicameral system with different types of representation) to satisfy both states and government.

Question 19

What has congress got the power to do? 3 examples

Answer 19

power to declare war, lay and collect taxes, regulate commerce with foreign nations.

Question 20

What is congress prohibited from doing? 3 examples

Answer 20

section 9: No title of nobility may be granted by the USA, No money shall be drawn from the treasury, no interstate tax

Question 21

How old should a senator be?

Answer 21

30+

Question 22

Where in the constitution does it talk about the 3/5 rule?

Answer 22

Article 1 section 2, slaves were 3/5 of a free person for tax purposes

Question 23

how many amendments have there been overall?

Answer 23

27 amendments, first 10 Bill of Rights

Question 24

Why was the BOR introduced?

Answer 24

George Mason wrote Virginia Declaration of Rights in 1776 - drew on enlightenment ideals of “all men created equal” and natural rights should be guaranteed in law.

Question 25

Why was George Mason anti-federalist?

Answer 25

worried a national government would undermine the liberties Americans fought for in the War of Independence - Bill of Rights enshrined the rights of the people so national government wouldn’t be to powerful.

Question 26

What does article 3 deal with?

Answer 26

the supreme court and judicial power.

Question 27

When did the declaration of independence occur?

Answer 27

4th July 1776

Question 28

how many delegates were there at the national convention 1787?

Answer 28

55

Question 29

difference between federalists and anti federalists?

Answer 29

federalists wanted government power, anti wanted states power