Name: ____________________ Block: ______ Date:_________
Unit 2: Constitution Study Guide
Vocabulary:
Term:
Amendment
Anti-Federalist
Checks and Balances
Constitution
Democracy
Elastic Clause
Federalism
Federalist
Judicial Review
Limited Government
Preamble
Ratification
Repeal
Rule of Law
Separation of Powers
Supremacy Clause
Definition:
A change to the constitution
They opposed the new constitution and drew much of their support
from the inland farmers and laborer’s, who feared a strong national
government.
Through which each branch exercises some control over the other
two
A plan that provides the rules for the government
Government in which the people rule
Clause in article 1, Section 8 of the constitution that gives congress
the right to “Make all laws which shall be necessary and proper” to
carry out the powers expressed in the other clause of Article 1
A system of government in which two more government’s exercise
power over the same people and the same territory
Favored the constitution and was led by many of the founders. Their
support typically came from merchants and others in the cities and
coastal regions.
The power of the Supreme Court to declare laws and actions of local,
state, or national governments unconstitutional
The concept that a governments power was not absolute
Explains why the constitution was written and spells out the purposes
of the government
How many people are needed to make it happen (9-13 states)
To revoke by legislative enactment
Everyone must obey the law and will be held accountable if the
violate it.
National Government by dividing power among the legislative,
executive, and judicial branches
Statement in Article VI of the constitution establishing that the
constitution, laws passed by congress and treaties of the united states
“Shall be the supreme law of the land”
1. For each column, name the branch and list the governing body of the branch, the job
of the branch, and which article of the Constitution created that branch.
Name: Executive branch
Name: Legislative branch
Name: Judicial branch
Governing Body: President
Job: Enforce the laws
Article: 2
Governing Body: Congress
Job: Makes the laws
Article: 1
Governing Body: Courts
Job: Interpret the laws
Article: 3
2. Compare and Contrast the political thought of Federalist and Anti Federalists. List
prominent figures of each party.
Federalist
Strong central government
No bill of rights
Anti-Federalist
A weak government
Wanted a bill of rights
3. Identify the differences between the ideas of Separation of Powers and Federalism?
Separation of Powers
Own jobs to do
Federalism
Different level of governments
4. Describe the process of amending the Constitution.
Step 1: propose the amendments 2/3
Step 2: Ratifying the amendment 3/4
5. Analyze the saying “Of the People, By the People, For the People”.
It's referring to the fact that the government is made up of people who come from the
people. "By the people" refers to who chooses those people who make up the
government
The people have the power in our government
6. Complete the Preamble:
a. We the people of the United States, In order to form a more perfect union,
establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense,
promote the general Welfare and secure the blessings of Liberty to ourselves
and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this constitution for the United
States of America.
7. The power of the Judicial Branch is founded on the principle of Judicial Review.
Explain this principle and what it empowers the judicial branch to do. Is the power of
the U.S. Supreme Court to review laws and actions from Congress and the President
to determine whether they are constitutional? This is part of the checks and balances
that the three branches of the federal government use in order to limit each other and
ensure a balance of power.
8. Discuss the goals of the Federalist Papers and Identify its authors. The goals were to
draw support for the new constitution, The Federalist Paper Authors : James Madison,
Alexander Hamilton, John Jay
9. The Elastic Clause of the Constitution gives the government the power to “make all
laws necessary and proper” in order to carry out its duties. Explain what “necessary
and proper” means. They can add things or adjust things to make the government run
smoothly
10. Summarize each Article of the Constitution:
Article I: Legislative branch
Article II: Executive branch
Article III: Judicial branch
Article IV: Obligations the states have
Article V: How to amend the constitution
Article VI: establishes laws and treaty’s for the US
Article VII: How ratification will happen