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Questions and Answers
What was the primary issue addressed by the Great Compromise during the Constitutional Convention?
What was the primary issue addressed by the Great Compromise during the Constitutional Convention?
- Establishing a bicameral legislature with representation based on both population and state equality. (correct)
- Resolving disputes over westward expansion and the admission of new states.
- Deciding whether to abolish slavery or allow its continuation in newly acquired territories.
- Determining the number of electors each state would have in the Electoral College.
The Three-Fifths Compromise directly addressed the issue of representation in Congress related to what specific population group?
The Three-Fifths Compromise directly addressed the issue of representation in Congress related to what specific population group?
- Women who were not eligible to vote.
- Native Americans residing within state borders.
- Immigrants who were not yet citizens.
- Enslaved individuals. (correct)
What core argument did the Federalists promote during the ratification debates of the U.S. Constitution?
What core argument did the Federalists promote during the ratification debates of the U.S. Constitution?
- A strong central government was essential for national stability and economic growth. (correct)
- The Constitution favored the wealthy elite and threatened the rights of common citizens.
- The Constitution lacked sufficient protection of individual liberties.
- States should retain ultimate sovereignty over the federal government.
What was the primary concern of the Anti-Federalists regarding the newly proposed U.S. Constitution?
What was the primary concern of the Anti-Federalists regarding the newly proposed U.S. Constitution?
Article IV of the U.S. Constitution primarily addresses what?
Article IV of the U.S. Constitution primarily addresses what?
What is the significance of Article VI of the U.S. Constitution, also known as the Supremacy Clause?
What is the significance of Article VI of the U.S. Constitution, also known as the Supremacy Clause?
Why did the framers include Article V in the Constitution?
Why did the framers include Article V in the Constitution?
What is the fundamental purpose of the system of checks and balances established by the U.S. Constitution?
What is the fundamental purpose of the system of checks and balances established by the U.S. Constitution?
Why is the inclusion of a process for amending the Constitution considered essential to its enduring relevance?
Why is the inclusion of a process for amending the Constitution considered essential to its enduring relevance?
Which of the following best describes the relationship between the debate over the Constitution and the creation of the Bill of Rights?
Which of the following best describes the relationship between the debate over the Constitution and the creation of the Bill of Rights?
Flashcards
Constitutional Convention: Goal
Constitutional Convention: Goal
The original goal was to revise the Articles of Confederation.
Location of the Constitutional Convention
Location of the Constitutional Convention
It took place in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Year of Constitutional Convention
Year of Constitutional Convention
It took place in 1787.
Delegate
Delegate
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Outcome of the Constitutional Convention
Outcome of the Constitutional Convention
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Secrecy of debates
Secrecy of debates
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The Great Compromise
The Great Compromise
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The Three-Fifths Compromise
The Three-Fifths Compromise
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Federalists
Federalists
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Anti-Federalists
Anti-Federalists
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Study Notes
Constitutional Convention
- The original goal was to revise the Articles of Confederation.
- It took place in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, specifically in Independence Hall.
- The convention occurred in 1787.
- A delegate is a representative.
- The delegates decided to create a new Constitution.
- The debates were kept secret to allow delegates to speak freely and honestly without outside pressure.
Constitutional Convention Compromises
- Issue #1: Structure of the new legislative branch (Congress).
- New Jersey Plan (small states): Proposed a single-house legislature with equal representation for each state.
- Virginia Plan (large states): Proposed a two-house legislature with representation based on each state's population.
The Great Compromise:
- Established a two-house legislature: the Senate with equal representation (two senators per state) and the House of Representatives with representation based on population.
- Issue #2: Counting slaves for the state’s total population.
- Northern States' Argument: Slaves should not be counted, as they were not treated as citizens.
- Southern States' Argument: Slaves should be counted to increase their representation in Congress.
The Three-Fifths Compromise:
- Determined that three-fifths of the slave population would be counted for representation and taxation.
Ratification of the U.S. Constitution
- Federalists: Argued for the Constitution, believing a strong central government was essential for stability and order.
- Anti-Federalists: Argued against the Constitution, fearing it gave too much power to the central government and lacked protection for individual rights.
- The people, through state-ratifying conventions, ultimately had the power to put the Constitution into place.
- Debate over the Constitution led to the creation of the Bill of Rights to address the Anti-Federalists' concerns about the lack of protection for individual liberties.
- Ratify means to approve or adopt.
- Nine of the 13 states needed to ratify the Constitution for it to officially replace the Articles of Confederation.
- Yes, all 13 states eventually ratified the U.S. Constitution.
Anatomy of the Constitution
- The Constitution is made up of a Preamble and seven articles.
The Preamble:
- The introduction states the goals and purposes of the Constitution.
Articles 1-7:
- The main body of the Constitution. They each contain specific information and are important for establishing the framework of the government.
Article I (1):
- Establishes the legislative branch (Congress).
Article II (2):
- Establishes the executive branch (presidency).
Article III (3):
- Establishes the judicial branch (Supreme Court).
Article IV (4):
- Describes the relationship between the states and the federal government and the process for creating new states, to help describe the relationship among the states.
Article V (5):
- Describes the process for amending, or changing, the Constitution.
- The Framers believed that this document would need to change over time.
Article VI (6):
- Establishes the Supremacy Clause, stating that the Constitution and federal laws are the supreme law of the land.
- Federal laws are the “supreme law of the land.”
Article VII (7):
- Describes the process for ratifying, or approving, the Constitution.
- Nine states were needed to ratify the U.S. Constitution for it to take effect.
Separation of Powers
Three Branches of Government:
- Legislative Branch: Makes laws. Headed by Congress.
- Executive Branch: Enforces laws. Headed by the President.
- Judicial Branch: Interprets laws. Headed by the Supreme Court.
Checks & Balances
- The purpose of checks and balances is to prevent any one branch of government from becoming too powerful.
- Examples: The President can veto laws passed by Congress, and the Supreme Court can declare laws unconstitutional.
Bill of Rights
- The first 10 amendments to the Constitution guarantee specific rights and liberties to individuals.
Amending the Constitution
- The Constitution has been amended 27 times.
- Including a way to amend the Constitution was important because it allowed the document to adapt to changing societal needs and values.
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