Branches of Government and Constitutional Foundations

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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 (A)</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 (A)</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 (A)</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 (B)</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

Flashcards

Legislative Branch

The branch of government that makes the laws.

Judicial Branch

The branch of government that interprets the laws.

Executive Branch

The branch of government that enforces the laws.

Republic

A political system where citizens elect representatives to run the government.

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Articles of Confederation

First US central government, replaced by the Constitution.

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Land Ordinance of 1785

Legislation for surveying and dividing western public lands.

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Northwest Ordinance (1787)

Set up structure for Northwest Territory and new state admission.

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Constitutional Convention

Philadelphia meeting to write the Constitution.

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Virginia Plan

Proposed strong national government with a bicameral legislature based on population.

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New Jersey Plan

Proposed a unicameral legislature with equal representation among states.

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Great Compromise

Agreement to create a bicameral legislature: House based on population, Senate with equal representation per state.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Three-Fifths Compromise

Enslaved people counted as three-fifths of a person for representation in the House.

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Checks and Balances

System to prevent any government branch from becoming too powerful.

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Federalists

People who supported the Constitution's ratification.

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Antifederalists

People who opposed the Constitution's ratification.

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Bill of Rights

First 10 amendments to the Constitution, protecting rights.

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Delegated Powers

Powers specifically given to the federal government.

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Reserved Powers

Powers not given to the federal govt., reserved for the states.

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Republican Motherhood

Women were to raise children to be good citizens.

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Articles of Confederation Weaknesses

A weak central government with limited powers.

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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

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