The Constitution Quiz Study Guide Wednesday, March 9th

Question 1

Constitution

Lesson 8 Section 3

Answer 1

A written plan that provides the basic framework of government

Question 2

Republic

Lesson 8 Section 3

Answer 2

A country governed or led by ELECTED representatives

The people pick who leads the country

Question 3

Compromise

Lesson 8 Section 5

Answer 3

An agreement in which each side gives up a part of what it wants
The large and small states needed to reach a compromise about representation in government.

Question 4

Ratify

Lesson 8 Section 10

Answer 4

To formally APPROVE a plan or agreement

9 out of 13 states needed to sign the Constitution to ratify it.

Question 5

George Washington

Answer 5

Delegate from Virginia

Chosen to be the President of the Constitutional Convention

Question 6

James Madison

Answer 6

Delegate from Virginia
Known as the “Father of the Constitution”–he took detailed notes at the Constitutional Convention
Wrote the Virginia Plan

Question 7

William Paterson

Answer 7

Delegate from New Jersey

Wrote the New Jersey Plan and presented it at the Constitutional Convention

Question 8

Roger Sherman

Answer 8

Delegate from Connecticut

Came up with the Great Compromise, which settled the argument about representation between large and small states

Question 9

Constitutional Convention’s Main Purpose

Answer 9

To revise (fix, improve) the Articles of Confederation

Question 10

Secrecy Rule

Answer 10

What was it? Why did the founding fathers need it?

Locked doors/boarded windows
Did not want any of the public finding out about what they were talking about
Did not want to be influenced by the views of people outside of the convention

Question 11

How many branches did the plans create? What were they?

Answer 11

3 branches of government
Executive—enforce laws
Legislative—makes laws
Judicial—interprets laws

Question 12

Executive Branch

Answer 12

Enforces Laws

Question 13

Legislative Branch

Answer 13

Makes Laws

Question 14

Judicial Branch

Answer 14

Interprets Laws

Question 15

New Jersey Plan:

Answer 15

• One house legislature (unicameral)
• Equal representation in Congress
• Supported by smaller states who feared losing power in federal the federal government

Question 16

Virginia Plan:

Answer 16

• Two house legislature (bicameral)
• Representation to Congress based on population
• Supported by larger states

Question 17

The Great Compromise:

Answer 17

• Two house legislature (bicameral)
• Equal representation in the upper house Congress (Senate)
• Representation in the lower house of Congress (House of Representatives) to be proportional to population

Question 18

Counting Slaves in the population: How did the North feel vs. the South?

Answer 18

North: DID NOT want to include slaves in the population because they were not free people (did not have the right to vote)

South: DID want to include slaves in the population—it would give them a larger population count
They would get more representatives in Congress

Question 19

What did the compromise say?

Answer 19

How slaves were going to be counted in the population:

3 out of every 5 slaves would be counted in the total population count

Fugitive Slave Clause: Northerners had to return escaped slaves back to the South

Question 20

Ratification of the Constitution:

Answer 20

The Constitution was ultimately RATIFIED on September 17, 1787 in Philadelphia.
The Federalists and Anti-Federalists made a COMPROMISE that added a BILL OF RIGHTS to the Constitution.
These are the first 10 Amendments to the Constitution and protects people’s natural rights such as freedom of speech and trial by jury.

Question 21

6 Principles of the Constitution: Popular Sovereignty

Answer 21

The idea that the government’s power comes from the people

EXAMPLE: In the Preamble to the Constitution it says, “We the PEOPLE of the United States…”

Question 22

6 Principles of the Constitution: Limited Government

Answer 22

The government is not all-powerful.

Rule of Law: Government officials ARE NOT above the law (Example: The President must follow the same laws as us!)

Question 23

6 Principles of the Constitution: Separation of Powers

Answer 23

Each branch of government should have distinct (separate) powers:
Legislative Branch
Executive Branch
Judicial Branch

Question 24

6 Principles of the Constitution: Checks and Balances

Answer 24

Each branch of government should have powers that limit the other branches.
This helps not one branch get TOO POWERFUL.

Question 25

6 Principles of the Constitution: Judicial Review

Answer 25

The Supreme Court may determine whether or not the government’s actions or laws go along with the Constitution.

Established in Marbury v. Madison (1803)

Question 26

6 Principles of the Constitution: Federalism

Answer 26

The national government and the state governments should share power.

Question 27

Preamble (Introduction): Goals of the Constitution: To form a more perfect union

Answer 27

We join together to create a group of states that are ruled by one government and work together.

Question 28

Preamble (Introduction): Goals of the Constitution: To establish justice

Answer 28

We create fair laws and courts

The Supreme Court evaluates laws and state courts carry out laws and punishments.

Question 29

Preamble (Introduction): Goals of the Constitution: To ensure domestic tranquility

Answer 29

We create peacefulness at home

Example: Police forces help keep peace in our towns.

Question 30

Preamble (Introduction): Goals of the Constitution: To provide for the common defense

Answer 30

We created a military.

Military forces protect our nation—Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, etc.

Question 31

Preamble (Introduction): Goals of the Constitution: To promote the general welfare

Answer 31

Protect WELL-BEING of citizens

Welfare: The state of being happy, healthy, or successful.

Question 32

Preamble (Introduction): Goals of the Constitution: To secure the blessings of liberty

Answer 32

Our rights are protected by the Bill of Rights (First 10 Amendments to the Constitution)

Example: Freedom of speech

Question 33

Article 1 of the Constitution: The Legislative Branch: Legislative Branch
(Lesson 8 Section 4)

Answer 33

The branch of government that is responsible for MAKING (writing) the LAWS for our country
The CONGRESS (Senate and House of Representatives) makes up this branch

Question 34

Article 1 of the Constitution: The Legislative Branch: Senate

Answer 34

• 100 Members (2 from each state)
• Must be 30 years old
• Must be a U.S. citizen for 9 years
• Serves 6-year terms
• Directly elected

Question 35

Article 1 of the Constitution: The Legislative Branch: House of Representatives

Answer 35

• 435 Members (based on population of each state!)
• Must be 25 years old
• Must be a U.S. citizen for 7 years
• Serves 2-year terms
• Directly elected

Question 36

Article 2 of the Constitution: The Executive Branch: Executive Branch
(Lesson 8 Section 4)

Answer 36

The branch of government that is responsible for EXECUTING THE LAWS or making sure people FOLLOW the laws
The PRESIDENT (executive) is the leader of this branch

Question 37

Article 2 of the Constitution: The Executive Branch: Requirements to be President

Answer 37

• Must be at least 35 years old
• Must be a natural-born citizen (born in the United States)
• Must live in the U.S. for at least 14 years
• Serves 4-year terms (can serve maximum 2 terms)

Question 38

Article 3 of the Constitution: The Judicial Branch: Judicial Branch (Lesson 8 Section 4)

Answer 38

The branch of government that is responsible for applying and INTERPRETING THE LAWS

• The SUPREME COURT tells the country and people what the laws MEAN
• There are 9 justices on the Supreme Court.

Question 39

Article 3 of the Constitution: The Judicial Branch: Requirements to be a Justice

Answer 39

• Length of Term: Justices serve for life (unless they resign or get removed)
• NO formal requirements to be a justice!
• The President picks which people he would like to be Supreme Court Justices.
• The Senate must then approve his picks in order for them to officially become a justice.