American History: Road to Independence & Constitution

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Questions and Answers

What was the primary purpose of the Electoral College as envisioned by Alexander Hamilton?

To increase the power of individual states in Presidential elections

To create a system that favors larger states in elections

To ensure that all citizens can vote directly for the President

To avoid chaos in the electoral process (correct)

Which amendment to the Constitution established the direct election of Senators?

17th Amendment (correct)

19th Amendment

15th Amendment

21st Amendment

In Montesquieu's theory of government, which branch of government is associated with the legislative function?

Electoral College

Executive

Supreme Court

Congress (correct)

Which of the following is NOT a power of Congress under the system of checks and balances?

Declare laws unconstitutional Signup and view all the answers

What does the Supremacy Clause in Article VI of the Constitution establish?

The Constitution is the supreme law of the land Signup and view all the answers

What does the full faith and credit clause ensure?

Judicial decrees and contracts in one state are enforceable in others. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the supremacy clause in Article VI of the Constitution?

To establish that national law is superior to state laws. Signup and view all the answers

Which group opposed ratification of the U.S. Constitution?

Anti-Federalists Signup and view all the answers

Who is known as the 'Father of the Constitution'?

James Madison Signup and view all the answers

What are the Federalist Papers primarily known for?

Supporting the ratification of the U.S. Constitution. Signup and view all the answers

What major weakness of the Articles of Confederation was highlighted by Shays’s Rebellion?

It demonstrated the inability of the federal government to maintain order. Signup and view all the answers

Which plan proposed during the Constitutional Convention favored larger states by basing representation on population?

The Virginia Plan Signup and view all the answers

Who first articulated the concept of the separation of powers?

Montesquieu Signup and view all the answers

What significant compromise addressed the representation of states in the legislature?

The Great Compromise Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of checks and balances in government?

To allow each branch to oversee and control the actions of the others Signup and view all the answers

How many votes were required to pass any measure under the Articles of Confederation?

9 votes Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is true about the Senate's role in the legislative process?

It must approve presidential appointments by a simple majority. Signup and view all the answers

What does Article I of the Constitution primarily establish?

The legislative powers in Congress Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary purpose of the Constitutional Convention held in 1787?

To revise the Articles of Confederation. Signup and view all the answers

Which clause allows Congress to pass laws that are necessary to carry out its powers?

The necessary and proper clause Signup and view all the answers

What powers are considered inherent powers of the president?

Powers not specified in the Constitution Signup and view all the answers

What limitation did the Three-Fifths Compromise place on slave representation?

Each slave counted as three-fifths of a freeman for representation. Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of the new Constitution was deemed unamendable?

Equal representation in the Senate Signup and view all the answers

Which article of the Constitution establishes the Supreme Court?

Article III Signup and view all the answers

What is the main focus of federalism as defined in the context of government powers?

Division of powers between national and state governments Signup and view all the answers

What does the full faith and credit clause pertain to?

State recognition of laws and judicial proceedings of other states Signup and view all the answers

What was the main purpose of the Articles of Confederation?

To establish a loose league of friendship among the states Signup and view all the answers

What significant event highlighted the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?

Shays's Rebellion Signup and view all the answers

What did the Great Compromise achieve during the Constitutional Convention?

Formation of a two-house legislature with representation based on population Signup and view all the answers

Which compromise dealt with the issue of counting slaves for representation purposes?

Three-Fifths Compromise Signup and view all the answers

Which plan proposed a strong central government with a bicameral legislature during the Constitutional Convention?

Virginia Plan Signup and view all the answers

What mechanism is used to elect the President of the United States?

Electoral College Signup and view all the answers

Who is known as the 'Father of the Nation' for his role in founding the United States?

George Washington Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following was NOT a result of the Constitutional Convention?

Ratification of the Articles of Confederation Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Tensions Leading to Independence

The Declaration of Independence draws inspiration from Enlightenment thinkers like Rousseau and Locke.
It emphasizes the right of the people to overthrow a government that fails to serve their interests.

Articles of Confederation

Ratified in 1781, it established a decentralized government with limited national authority.
States retained sovereignty, each having one vote regardless of size.
Amending the Articles required unanimous consent from all 13 states, hindering its effectiveness.
The national government had limited powers, including making peace, coining money, and managing the postal service.

Need for Change

The weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation became apparent, leading to Shay's Rebellion, a rebellion of farmers over economic hardship.
The Constitutional Convention of 1787 was convened to revise the Articles, but ultimately led to the drafting of a new constitution.

Plans for the Constitution

The Virginia Plan, favored by larger states, proposed a strong national government with a bicameral legislature based on population.
The New Jersey Plan, supported by smaller states, aimed to strengthen the Articles of Confederation, advocating for a unicameral legislature with equal representation for each state.
The Great Compromise resulted in a three-branch government, a bicameral legislature with a House of Representatives based on population and a Senate with equal representation for each state.
This compromise is the only part of the Constitution that cannot be amended.

Bicameral Congress

Bills regarding raising and spending money must originate in the House of Representatives.
The Senate approves presidential appointments and treaties.

Presidency

The Electoral College was designed to prevent the "tumult and disorder" of direct popular voting for President.
The 17th Amendment (1913) made senators directly elected by the people.

Montesquieu's Ideas: Separation of Powers and Checks and Balances

The three branches of government reflect different forms of government: Congress as democracy, President as monarchy, Supreme Court as oligarchy.
Each branch has distinct functions: Congress makes laws, the President enforces them, and the Supreme Court interprets them.
The system of checks and balances ensures interdependence between the branches, preventing any one branch from accumulating too much power.

Structure of the Constitution

Article I: Establishes Congress, including its powers, composition, and qualifications.
Article II: Defines the executive branch, detailing the president's role, term, and qualifications.
Article III: Establishes the judicial branch, including the Supreme Court.
Article IV: Outlines relations between states, including the full faith and credit clause and the privileges and immunities clause.
Article V: Specifies the amendment process.
Article VI: Contains the supremacy clause, declaring national law supreme over state law.

Federalism

This is the division of authority between national and state governments.
The Constitution outlines both shared and exclusive powers for each level.

Separation of Powers

Each branch of government holds distinct constitutional authority.

Checks and Balances

Each branch can limit the powers of the others to prevent any one branch from gaining undue influence.
Examples include the president's power to veto legislation, Congress's power to impeach the president, and the Supreme Court's power of judicial review.

Key Terms

Enumerated Powers: Powers explicitly granted to Congress in Article I, Section 8.
Necessary and Proper Clause (Elastic Clause): Gives Congress the power to make laws that are necessary and proper to carry out its enumerated powers.
Implied Powers: Powers derived from the Necessary and Proper Clause.
Inherent Powers: Presidential powers implied by the Constitution.
Full Faith and Credit Clause: Requires states to respect the laws and legal proceedings of other states.
Privileges and Immunities Clause: Prevents states from discriminating against non-residents.
Supremacy Clause: Establishes national law as supreme over state law.
Federalists: Supported a strong national government and the Constitution.
Anti-Federalists: Opposed a strong national government and the Constitution.

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Description

Explore the key events and ideas that led to American independence, the establishment of the Articles of Confederation, and the urgent need for a stronger federal government. This quiz covers influential Enlightenment thinkers, the weaknesses of the Articles, and the Constitutional Convention of 1787. Test your knowledge on these foundational topics of American history!