Test Guide

Upcoming Test: Rough

STUDY GUIDE LIST
1. Constitutional convention notes
2. 3 compromise worksheets
3. influences of the constitution notes
4. 6 goals of the preamble notes
5. outline of our government notes
6. federalists vs. anti-federalists
7. the three branches of government
8. Our living constitution
9. More on the Constitution notes
10. Bill of Rights worksheet

HOMEWORK I.D’S pg.197-222

Gouverneur Morris (197)- A powerful speaker and writer. He wrote the final
draft of the constitution.

Roger Sherman (199)- A person from Connecticut. He suggested what came to be

known as the Great Compromise.

Federalism (204)- Sharing power between the federal and state governments. One
of the distinctive features of the United States government.

Legislative Branch (204)- Part of the government. The lawmaking branch. Article
I of the constitution established this branch. There were two houses: the upper
house and the Lower House.

Executive Branch (204)- The branch that carries out the nations laws and
policies. It was headed by the president. Article II of the constitution established
this branch.

Judicial Branch (204)- Court System of the United States. Article III of the
constitution established this branch.
Checks & Balances (205)- To keep one branch from gaining too much power, the
framers built in this system. This system causes the three branches to check and
limit each other. This caused no single branch to dominate the government.

Enumerated/Delegated Powers (222)- One of the three types of government

powers. Included the powers to coin money, regulate trade, maintain armed forces,
and create federal courts. These powers only belonged to the federal government.

Reserved Powers (222)- One of the three types of government powers. These
powers retained by the states. They include such rights as the power to establish
schools, pass marriage laws, and regulate trade within the state.

Concurrent Powers (222)- One of the three types of government powers. These
powers were shared by both the state and the federal government. Among these
powers were the rights to raise taxes, borrow money, and provide the public
welfare.

INFLUENCES OF THE CONSTITUTION

Roseau General Will

Baron de 3 branches of government

Montesquieu Checks and Balances

Ancient Democracy and republicanism- people elect representatives

Greece +
Rome
Magna Carta Ruler’s power should be limited

Articles of
Confederation

Declaration of
Independence

English People have rights and they should be protected by the

Parliament government
 John Locke People have natural rights like life and liberty

Jeremy Pursuit of happiness

Bentham
Enlightenmen Laws should be based on knowledge, reason, and science
t

6 GOALS OF THE PREAMBLE

1. To form a more perfect union

Under the AOC, states functioned independently. Framers believed that the states
needed to agree to operate as a single as a single country and cooperate on major
issues

2. To establish justice
Framers believed to treat each citizen equally with an important principle.
Constitution provides national court systems to protect people rights.

3. To ensure domestic tranquility

Shays rebellion shocked Americans. Constitution seeks to keep peace among
people.

4. To provide for the common defense

Under the AOC, the nation’s defense was the militia. The constitution gives the
federal government power to maintain armed forces and to protect the country and
citizens from attack

5. Promote the general welfare

The Declaration of Independence’s purpose of government is to promote life,
liberty, and pursuit of happiness for the people. The constitution maintains order,
protects individual liberties, regulates commerce and bankruptcies, and promotes
science and technology

6. Secure the blessings of liberty

The framers major goal was to preserve liberty. The constitution guarantees no
Americans basic rights will be taken away now or for prosterity.
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION

Who ● 55 delegates met in Independence Hall in Philadelphia

Pennsylvania from May to September of 1787
was ● 12/13 states were present (Rhode Island feared a strong central
there? government an did not go)
● George Washington, and was selected as president of the
convention
● James Madison. Know as the “father of the Constitution” and
took careful notes on everything that was said.
What ● rewrite or revise the AOC and set up a strong but limited
was central government
their
goal?
Who ● John Adams and Thomas Jefferson was serving as an
wasn’t ambassador in Europe
there? ● Samuel Adams, Patrick Henry, and John Hancock also feared a
strong ventral government and did not attend
About ● average age of delegates was 42
the ● oldest age was Ben Franklin at age 82
People, ● 2/3 were lawyers
Please ● 1/3 owned slaves
? ● 1/3 were veterans
● no African Americans, woman, or native Americans
● WELL: -bred (come from a good family)
-fed (rich)
-read (smart)
-wed (married into good families)
● secrecy was VERY important among them

CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION RESPONSE

Question: Why do we need to know about the background of the people who met
in the Constitutional Convention?

(Your answer is probably different from mine, but I just included my answer just
in case some of you guys want it)
 It’s very important to know about the background of the people because it
shows what our constitution was based on. The backgrounds of all the people are
also important to know because we need to know who really were the people that
created the rules and standards for our constitution. If we knew that the people
who all met at the constitutional convention had a Chinese background, our
lifestyle today would be very different. We also need to know about the people,
because if we didn’t, we wouldn’t know that woman’s inputs weren’t accepted in
the constitution. And finally, we need to know who was really committed to the
constitution and who took what part in its creation.

CRITICAL THINKING QUESTIONS FOR COMPROMISIS OF

THE CONSTITUTION (3 GREEN PAPERS)

Critical Thinking Question A (back side)

Virginia Plan=Big State Plan

New Jersey= Small State Plan

Combined both plans to create:

Created a bicameral legislature

2 House people who make laws

Congress
 Upper house
Equal representation
2 senates per state
Senate

House of Representatives lower house representation based on

population
435 representatives

Critical Thinking Question B (back side)

Slaves were counted as 3/5 of a person for both representation and taxation.

Critical Thinking Question C (back side)

Congress could regulate interstate trade, but could not regulate slave trade for 20

Between the states

years (1808). Runaway slaves were considered property and must be retuned to
their owners.

QUESTIONS ON WHAT WE’VE LEARNED DO FAR

1. What is legislative Branch? What dose it do?

The branch that makes laws for the federal government

2. Describe the 3/5 compromise

Where a slave was counted as 3/5 of a person. Northerners wanted slaves for tax
but not representation, but southerners wanted them for representation but not tax.

3. What is federalism?

Powers shared by the federal and state governments

What they share

4. What types of people wrote our constitution?

Well fed (rich)

Well bred (come from a good family)
Well read (smart)
Well wed (married into good families)

5. What are delegated powers?

Coin money, declare war, make treaties

HOMEWORK I.D’S pg.206-209

Ratify (206)- To approve of something. Before the constitution could go into
effect, 9/12 states needed to ratify it. State legislators set up special ratifying
conventions to consider the document.

Federalists (206)- Supporters of the new constitution. Three of the nation’s most
gifted political thinkers were federalists: James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and
John Jay. These people backed up the ideas of the new constitution and defended
it.

John Jay (206)- A federalist. He was one of the nation’s most gifted political
thinkers. He backed up the constitution defended it.

Antifederalists (206)- Those who opposed ratification. These people criticized the
constitution. They forced the government to create a Bill of Rights to protect the
people’s rights.

Mercy Otis Warren (206)- A Massachusetts opponent of the constitution. She

expressed the problem faced by many antifederalists. She admitted the need for a
strong government but feared it.

Questions on page 208-209 (#1-3)

What group The antifederalists

was opposed to
ratification of
the
constitution?
Who argued The federalists??
that the
constitution
could be
changed if
problems
arose?
What was Argued against the idea of a president with limited or few
Hamilton’s powers
major
argument in
The federalist,
no.70?
CONSTITUTION SCAVENGER HUNT
Article I – Legislative Branch
Article II – Executive Branch
Article III – Judicial Branch

Legislative Branch
Congress
House of
Representative
s (435
members)

Article I, Sec. 1 People for the House of Representatives can be

2 elected every 2 years
Article I, Sec. 2 To become a representative for the House of
2, #2 Representative, you must be at least 25, and a
citizen for at least 7 years
Article I, Sec. 3 The House of Representatives can propose tax laws
7, #1
Article I, Sec. 4 The House of Representative can impeach the
2, #5 president

Senate
(100
members)
Article I, Sec. 5 The term of office for member s of the US senate 6
3, #1 years
Article I, Sec. 6 One must be 30 years old and a citizen for at least
3, #3 9 years to be elected to the US senate
Article II, Sec. 7 The senate approves the people that the president
2, #2 appoints to government
Article II, Sec. 8 The senate approves treaties with foreign countries
2, #2

Both Together
Article I, Sec 1 10 The Congress has law making legislative powers
Article I, Sec. 11 The congress has the power to declare war
8, #11
Article I, Sec. 12 If the president vetoes a law, congress can override
7, #2 the president’s veto with a 2/3 vote
Article V, 13 The congress has the power to make amendments
to the constitution with a 2/3 vote

Executive Branch
President, Vice President, Cabinet
Article II, Sec. 14 The term of office for the president of the US is 4
2, #1 years
Article II, Sec. 15 The president must be at least 35 years of age,
1, #5 native born, and 14 year old resident
Article I, Sec. 16 The president has the power to approve or veto
7, #2 laws
Article II, Sec. 17 The president has the power to make treaties with
2, #2 foreign countries
Article II, Sec. 18 The president has the power to nominate judges to
2, #2 the supreme court
Article II, Sec. 19 The president approves cabinet members
2, #2
Article II, Sec. 20 The president is the commander and chief of the
2, #1 US military forces

Judicial Branch
Supreme and Federal Courts
Article III, 21 Supreme Court justices serve for life
Sec. 1
Article III, 22 The Judicial Branch can declare laws
Sec. 2, #1 unconstitutional
Article III, 23 The Judicial Branch can solves disputes within the
Sec. 2, #1 US
Article III, 24 The Judicial Branch settles disputes between states
Sec. 2, #1
Article I, Sec. 25 The Chief Justice can preside over impeachment
3, #6 trial of the president
HOMEWORK I.D’S pg.224-236

Implied Powers (224)- Powers not specifically mentioned in the Constitution.

Congress had interpreted the clause, “make all laws that should be necessary and
proper” means that congress has certain implied powers.

Judicial Review (225)- The rights of the supreme court to determine if a law
violates the constitution. It has become a major power in the Judicial Branch. IT is
not mentioned in the constitution.

Appropriates (227)- To set aside. The government cannot spend any money
unless congress appropriates funds.

Impeach (227)- To bring formal charges against. The HOR can impeach a federal
official it suspects of wrongdoing. If an official is impeached, the senate acts as a
court at tries the accused official.

Constituents (227)- People that members of congress represent. All members of

Congress have the responsibility of representing their constituents.

Due Process of Law (235)- Means that the government must follow certain
procedures that have been established by law and are guaranteed in the
constitution. All people must be treated according to these principles.

Citizen (236)- A person who owes loyalty to and is entitled to the protection of the
state or senate. Citizenship is granted to anyone born in the US.

Naturalization (236)- A way a person of foreign birth can become a citizen. They
must be at least 18 years old.

Quorum (dictionary)- A particularly chosen group

Pardon (dictionary)- a release from the penalty of an offense; a remission of

penalty, as by a governor

THE AMENDMENT PROCESS

- the Constitution can be amended/changed over time

- the amendment process is hard to discourage minor or frequent changes
In order for Congress to talk about it…
2/3 of both houses of congress approve the proposal
OR
A constitutional convention is called by congress by the request of 2/3 of the 50
states

In order for Congress to approve it…

¾ of the 50 state legislatures
OR
¾ of the constitutional conventions called by the 50 states

- Congress has the power to meet changing conditions

- “elastic clause” Article I, Sec 8
- Congress can make all laws which are “necessary and proper” for executing
powers of the government

THE BILL OF RIGHTS (BACK SIDE)

1. It was the anti-federalists who insisted on a Bill of Rights

2. The first 10 amendments to the constitution are known as the bill of rights
3. The amendments were ratified/approved in 1791
4. These amendments protect basic liberties and rights as well as limit the
power of the government

WHAT IS NOT ON THIS STUDY GUIDE BECAUSE YOU

ALREADY HAVE THE WORKSHEET

● Our Living Constitution (How a bill becomes a law)

● Critical Thinking Questions for Compromises of the Constitution
- Critical Thinking Question A (front side only)
- Critical Thinking Question B (front side only)
- Critical Thinking Question C (front side only)
● Cornell Notes: Outline of our Government (not Homework ID’s)
● Cornell Notes: Federalists vs. Anti-federalists (not Homework ID’s or questions)
● Chart of the 3 Branches of Government (even though I already made my own
version)
● Bill of rights (the orange sheet)
-front side only
● Cornell Notes: More on the Constitution (not Homework ID’s)