Branches of Government and Constitutional Foundations
76 Questions
0 Views

Choose a study mode

Play Quiz
Study Flashcards
Spaced Repetition
Chat to lesson

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

Which branch of government makes the laws?

  • Legislative Branch (correct)
  • Judicial Branch
  • Executive Branch
  • None of the above

    • Which branch of government interprets the laws?

  • Legislative Branch
  • Judicial Branch (correct)
  • Executive Branch
  • None of the above

    • Which branch of government enforces the laws?

  • Legislative Branch
  • Judicial Branch
  • Executive Branch (correct)
  • None of the above

    • What is a republic?

    <p>A political system where citizens elect representatives to run the government.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the first document that created a central government for the United States?

    <p>Articles of Confederation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The Land Ordinance of 1785 divided public lands in the Western region of the country.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the purpose of the Northwest Ordinance of 1787?

    <p>To establish a political structure for the Northwest Territory and create a system for admitting new states.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Where was the Constitutional Convention held?

    <p>Philadelphia, Pennsylvania</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the Virginia Plan's key proposal?

    <p>A strong national government with a bicameral legislature with representation based on population.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the New Jersey Plan's key proposal?

    <p>A unicameral legislature with equal representation for each state, regardless of population.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the Great Compromise?

    <p>An agreement that established a bicameral legislature with representation based on population in the House of Representatives and equal representation for each state in the Senate.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The Three-Fifths Compromise determined that enslaved people would be counted as three-fifths of a person for representation purposes.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of checks and balances?

    <p>To prevent any branch of government from becoming too powerful.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who were the Federalists?

    <p>People who supported ratification of the Constitution.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the Bill of Rights?

    <p>The first 10 amendments to the Constitution, which guarantee individual rights and freedoms.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was The Federalist?

    <p>A collection of essays written in defense of the Constitution, published in 1787.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are delegated powers?

    <p>Powers given to each branch of the national government by the Constitution.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is republican motherhood?

    <p>The belief that women should raise their children to be future patriots and good citizens.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who wrote the Articles of Confederation?

    <p>John Dickinson</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The Articles of Confederation had a weak central government.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How many states were needed to pass a law under the Articles of Confederation?

    <p>9 out of 13</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How many states were needed to amend (change) the Articles of Confederation?

    <p>All 13</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who helped raise money to address the financial problems of the government under the Articles of Confederation?

    <p>Robert Morris and Haym Salomon</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the main cause of inflation during the time of the Articles of Confederation?

    <p>Paper money</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What did Thomas Jefferson suggest for the Northwest Territory?

    <p>It should be divided into districts.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What were some of the things the federal government could not do under the Articles of Confederation?

    <p>Collect taxes, enforce laws, and settle disputes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who led farmers in a rebellion against the Massachusetts government?

    <p>Daniel Shays</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Where was the first meeting for amending the Articles of Confederation held?

    <p>Annapolis, Maryland</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who is considered the "Father of the Constitution"?

    <p>James Madison</p> Signup and view all the answers

    John Adams and Thomas Jefferson were present at the Constitutional Convention.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who wrote the Virginia Plan?

    <p>James Madison</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who wrote and proposed the New Jersey Plan?

    <p>William Paterson</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which state's delegates proposed a compromise between the Virginia and New Jersey Plans?

    <p>Connecticut</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who wrote the phrase "we, the people of the United States" in the Constitution?

    <p>Gouverneur Morris</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who was one of the leaders of the Constitutional Convention who urged for unity and agreement?

    <p>Benjamin Franklin</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who proposed the Great Compromise?

    <p>Oliver Ellsworth, Roger Sherman, and Dr. William Samuel Johnson</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which article of the Constitution discusses the Legislative Branch?

    <p>Article I</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How often are members of the House of Representatives chosen?

    <p>Every 2 years</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How are members of the House of Representatives chosen?

    <p>Based on population</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who is over-represented in the House of Representatives?

    <p>Smaller states</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are the requirements to be a member of the House of Representatives?

    <p>You must be a U.S. citizen for at least 7 years, be at least 25 years old, and live in the state and district you represent.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How often is the census taken?

    <p>Every 10 years</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How long are Senators chosen for?

    <p>6 years</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How often are Senators elected?

    <p>Every two years</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How many Senators are there from each state?

    <p>Two</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are the requirements to be a Senator?

    <p>You must be a U.S. citizen for at least 9 years, be at least 30 years old, and live in the state you represent.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who is the President of the Senate?

    <p>The Vice President</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the minimum number of members needed to conduct business in the House of Representatives?

    <p>A majority, or 218 members</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the minimum number of members needed to conduct business in the Senate?

    <p>A majority, or 51 senators</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the Necessary and Proper Clause?

    <p>A clause that allows Congress to make laws and do things that aren't explicitly mentioned in the Constitution as long as they are &quot;implied&quot; by its provisions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which article of the Constitution discusses the Executive Branch?

    <p>Article II</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the requirement for winning the presidency?

    <p>A majority of the Electoral College votes, which is 270 votes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What fraction of the Senate is needed to approve a treaty?

    <p>Two-thirds</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which article of the Constitution discusses the Judicial Branch?

    <p>Article III</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What fraction of the Senate is needed to remove an official from office through impeachment?

    <p>Two-thirds</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is Original Jurisdiction?

    <p>The authority of a court to hear a case for the first time.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is Appellate Jurisdiction?

    <p>The authority of a higher court to review a decision made by a lower court.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which article of the Constitution discusses the relations among states?

    <p>Article IV</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the Full Faith and Credit Clause?

    <p>It requires states to recognize and uphold the laws and court decisions of other states.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the Privileges and Immunities Clause?

    <p>It guarantees that citizens of one state are treated the same as citizens of another state when they are visiting or living in a different state.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which article of the Constitution discusses amending the Constitution?

    <p>Article V</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which article of the Constitution discusses the Supremacy of National Government?

    <p>Article VI</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the Supremacy Clause?

    <p>It states that the Constitution, federal laws, and treaties are the supreme law of the land, taking precedence over state laws.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is ratification?

    <p>The formal approval of a treaty or constitutional amendment by a state or other authority.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How many states were needed to ratify (approve) the Constitution?

    <p>Nine out of 13</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who were the writers of "The Federalist" essays?

    <p>James Madison, John Jay, and Alexander Hamilton</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who were some of the leading Federalists?

    <p>James Madison, John Dickinson, Alexander Hamilton, George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and John Jay</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who proposed the idea of listing individual rights in the Constitution?

    <p>John Hancock</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the First Amendment protect?

    <p>Freedom of religion, speech, the press, assembly, and petition</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the Establishment Clause?

    <p>It prohibits Congress from establishing a national religion.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the Free Exercise Clause?

    <p>It protects the right to practice any religion or no religion at all.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the Second Amendment guarantee?

    <p>The right of individuals to keep and bear arms to maintain a well-regulated militia.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the Third Amendment prohibit?

    <p>The quartering of soldiers in private homes during peacetime.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the difference between criminal law and civil law?

    <p>Criminal law deals with crimes against the state, while civil law deals with disputes between individuals or organizations.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the Eighth Amendment prohibit?

    <p>Excessive bail, excessive fines, and cruel and unusual punishment.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the Ninth Amendment state?

    <p>The listing of specific rights in the Constitution does not mean that other rights that are not specifically listed are not protected.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Branches of Government

    • Legislative Branch: makes laws
    • Judicial Branch: interprets laws
    • Executive Branch: enforces laws
    • Republic: citizens elect representatives
    • Articles of Confederation (1777): first U.S. central government, replaced by the Constitution in 1789
    • Land Ordinance of 1785: legislation surveying and dividing western lands
    • Northwest Ordinance (1787): established political structure for Northwest Territory, system for admitting new states
    • Constitutional Convention (1787): Philadelphia meeting to draft the Constitution
    • Virginia Plan (1787): proposed a national government with supreme legislative power; bicameral legislature (2 houses), representation by population
    • New Jersey Plan: proposed a unicameral legislature, equal representation for each state
    • Great Compromise (1787): agreement; population-based representation in the lower house of the legislature, equal representation in the upper house
    • Three-Fifths Compromise (1787): enslaved people counted as three-fifths of a person for determining representation in the lower house's population count

    Key Concepts

    • Checks and Balances: prevents one branch of government from becoming too powerful
    • Federalists: supported the Constitution's ratification
    • Antifederalists: opposed the Constitution's ratification
    • Bill of Rights: first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution (ratified 1791)
    • The Federalist: collection of essays defending the Constitution (1787)
    • Delegated Powers: powers given to each branch of the national government by the Constitution
    • Reserved Powers: powers not specifically provided to the federal government; reserved for state
    • Republican Motherhood: women raise patriotic children

    Key Figures and Events

    • James Madison: "Father of the Constitution," took notes during the convention
    • John Adams and Thomas Jefferson: not at the convention
    • Edmund Randolph: proposed the Virginia Plan
    • William Patterson: proposed the New Jersey Plan
    • Ben Franklin: leader of the Constitutional Convention
    • Oliver Ellsworth, Roger Sherman and Dr. William Samuel Johnson: proposed the Great Compromise
    • James Madison, John Jay, Alexander Hamilton: writers of "The Federalist"
    • Paper Money: caused inflation
    • Thomas Jefferson: suggested division of NW Territory into
    • Daniel Shays: led farmers in rebellion against Massachusetts
    • Annapolis, MD: location of first meeting for amending Articles of Confederation
    • Philadelphia, PA: location of Constitutional Convention

    Studying That Suits You

    Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

    Quiz Team

    Related Documents

    History Chapter 5 PDF

    Description

    Test your knowledge on the branches of government including the legislative, judicial, and executive branches. Explore key historical documents and events such as the Articles of Confederation, the Constitutional Convention, and various plans that shaped the U.S. Constitution. This quiz will challenge your understanding of how these elements contribute to the framework of the American government.

    More Like This

    Use Quizgecko on...
    Browser
    Open
    Browser
    Browser