UNITED STATES STUDY QUESTIONS
Chapter 5: Creating the Constitution (1781-1789)
Important Vocabulary Terms and Topics
Directions: Circle terms or topics you remember and write a statement to show your
understanding.
Republic
Republicanism
Unicameral
Bicameral
Articles of
Legislature
Legislature
Confederation
Federal
Land Ordinance
Northwest
Shay’s Rebellion James Madison
of 1785
Ordinance of
1787
William
Roger Sherman
Great
Federalism
Three-Fifths
Patterson
Compromise
Compromise
Ratification
Federalists
Anti-federalists Federalists Papers Bill of Rights
United States
Popular
Limited
Separation of
Legislative Branch
Constitution
Sovereignty
Government
Powers
Executive
Judicial Branch
Checks and
Electoral College House of
Branch
Balances
Representatives
Senate
Impeachment
Supreme Court Judicial Review
Amendments
Ch. 5, section 1
1. What is republicanism?
Republicanism, the idea that governments should be based on the consent of the
people, which meant different things to different Americans.
2. What did the various state constitutions have in common? How were they
different?
Similarities: They limited the powers of government leaders. They guaranteed
specific rights for citizens, including freedom of speech, religion, and
the press. State constitutions emphasized liberty rather than
equality and reflected a fear of centralized authority.
Differences: Only had a very limited democracy by modern standards.
Granting voting rights to only white males. Property ownership was
a requirement for voting. Women were still denied to vote in certain
states except New Jersey (allowed for a short period of time).
3. Why did most states choose a bicameral legislature?
To balance the power of the common people with that of the wealthy and welleducated class.
4. What is a confederation? What was the purpose of the Articles of Confederation?
Alliance of states permitting these states or nations to act together on matters of
mutual concerns in which two levels of government share fundamental powers.
To create a limited national government, to create a set of laws to govern the
United States, and to leave most of the political power with the states.
5. What was the structure of the new government under the Article of
Confederation?
A Congress who delegates were chosen by state legislatures, with no Presidents
(executive branch) or national court system (judicial branch).
6. Who made up the Congress? Why were executive powers assigned to committees
made up of members of Congress?
The delegates from the states, chosen by the state legislatures. So that no one
person, such as a President, could have too much power.
7. Why did differences between the states cause problems of representation in the
new government?
Problems of representation in the new government was people could not decide
whether delegates to a new government should represent a state’s population or
each state should send the same number of representatives.
8. How did the nation’s leaders settle the disagreement over the issue of
representation?
To keep fairness among the states, the size of the small states (population had
fewer citizens) would have equal representation to a large states (which had high
numbers of citizens). Political power was equal regardless of size and a single
state could stall the amendment process.
9. What powers did the government hold (strengths) and lack (weaknesses) under
the articles of confederation?
National government had the power to declare war, make peace, and sign
treaties (with at least two-thirds (9 of 13 states) of the states approval). It could
borrow money, set standards for coins and for weights and measures, establish a
postal service, and deal with Native American peoples.
It lacked the power to tax and each state had only one vote (regardless of
population) which could result in laws being vetoed by a single state. Articles
could be amended only if all states approved. Congress could not regulate
interstate or foreign trade. The articles did not create an executive branch to
enforce laws and had no national court system to interpret the meaning of laws
or settle legal disputes. There was no national unity. There were 13 separate
states that lacked national unity.
10. Explain the Land Ordinance of 1785. How did the Land Ordinance of 1785
provide for the orderly development of the Northwest Territory? How did it make
land affordable?
Land Ordinance of 1785 established a plan for dispensing, or distributing, the
public lands. By running a grid of lines north to south and east to west, federal
surveyors divided the land into hundreds of townships, each six square miles.
Once the land was surveyed it would be divided among families in small parcels.
Each township was then subdivided in 36 “sections” of one square mile (640
acres) to be sold for at least one dollar per acre. This would allow for not only
the rich to purchase land but poor families.
11. Explain the Northwest Ordinance of 1787. List the provisions for statehood.
The Northwest Ordinance of 1787 provided for dividing the land into three to
five territories and established the requirements for the admission of new states.
1. Congress would appoint a territorial governor, secretary, and three judges.
2. When a territory had 5,000 voting residents, they could establish an elective
assembly, it could write a constitution and elect their own government. 3. When
the population reached 60,000, it could apply to be a state, provided the new
state adopted a republican constitution.
12. What were plans for settling and governing the Northwest Territory under the
Articles of Confederation?
The Land Ordinance of 1785 outline a system for distributing public lands, and
the Northwest Ordinance of 1787 provided a government for the lands.
13. What were some of the political and economic problems the country encountered
under the Articles of Confederation?
Political issues: National unity—each state functioned independently by
pursuing its own interests rather than those of the nation as a whole. The
population of states was not properly represented. Amending the articles—each
state must agree to change the articles, one single state could stall the amending
process, which resulted in changes in government being difficult to achieve.
Economic problem: Huge debt— that congress has amassed during the
revolutionary war ($190 million) in which the continental congress had to
borrow from foreign countries. After the war, the continental money was
worthless. Secondly, the country was not able to impose tax and regulate
interstate or foreign trade.
14. What foreign-relation problems did the new country encounter?
The United States could not pay its debts to the British (war debt). The United
States not able to compensate loyalists for property loss suffered during the
American Revolution. As a result, Great Britain refused to evacuate their
military forts on the Great Lakes. Spain presence on the borders of the United
States posed another threat to westward expansion. Spain also closed its waters
on the Mississippi.
15. Why were some states afraid of centralized authority and a strong national
government?
The states felt that a centralized authority would diminish their own
independence. They may have remembered the failure to the English
Commonwealth under Cromwell. They also feared the kingly power if they
decided on a strong central government.
16. What were the causes and consequences of Shay’s Rebellion?
Shay’s Rebellion was a protest by farmers who faced problems from debts they
owed to creditors. Daniel Shay’s protest of the Massachusetts taxes included
1,200 farmers attempting to raid arsenal resulted in 4 deaths by the state militia.
This rebellion made people talk about the need for a stronger national
government.
17. Why do you think news of Shays’ rebellion made states decide to participate in
the Philadelphia convention?
Shay’s rebellion made states decide to participate in the Philadelphia convention
because some states had already feared uprising in their state. Shay’s rebellion
showed the weaknesses of the national government in dealing with economic
problems.
Questions for Review
1. What were the east-west boundaries of the United States as defined in the Treaty of
Paris, 1783?
A. The Atlantic to the east and the Pacific to the west.
B. The Mississippi to the west and the Appalachians to the east.
C. The Atlantic to the east and the Mississippi River to the west.
D. The Atlantic to the east and the Ohio River to the west.
2. Republicanism is the idea that
A. governments should be based on the consent of the people.
B. a strong national government should hold supreme power.
C. government is necessary to force people to place the national good above their
personal interests.
D. none of the above.
3. Why did states fear a strong central government?
A. They wanted to repeal the Intolerable Acts and have more freedoms.
B. They liked to have independence and little organization.
C. They did not want the government to return to times similar to under King
George III.
D. They wanted to express themselves together.
4. The ability to ____ was one power given to the government under both the Articles of
Confederation and the United States Constitution.
A. regulate trade
C. coin money
B. protect copyrights
D. impose taxes
5. The government set forth in the Constitution is a federal system because it
A. divides power between national and state governments.
B. gives the national government greater power than the state governments.
C. divides the federal government into three branches.
D. prevents any of the three branches of government from becoming too
powerful.
6. Which of the following problems did Congress experience under the Articles of
Confederation?
A. Congress could not convince Thomas Jefferson to be a diplomat to France.
B. Congress could not tax the states and therefore had difficulty repaying its
debts.
C. Congress did not have the authority to deal with affairs relating to Native
American tribes.
D. Congress could not raise a military to defend itself at Yorktown.
7. What was the main problem with the system of representation by state (rather than
population) that was adopted by the Confederation?
A. States with small population had the same voting power as states with large
populations.
B. The population was so equal and the majority of the people were heard.
C. The states with small population wanted more voting power than states with larger
population.
D. None of the above.
Chapter 5: Creating the Constitution (1787-1789)
Ch. 5, section 2
1. Why did the leaders call for the Constitutional Convention and what was their
purpose?
Shays’ Rebellion revealed the weakness of the national government under the
Articles of Confederation in its lack to stop states from rebelling. The Articles of
Confederation were flawed and needed major changes. The delegates’ purpose
was to make changes to the Articles of Confederation.
2. What was the role of George Washington in calling the constitutional convention?
George Washington’s role in calling the convention was to speak out against the
rebellion and call for a change of government. His leadership in the American
Revolution was very convincing to others in need of a strong support for a strong
central government.
3. Why was George Washington selected to be president of the convention?
George Washington was selected president of the convention because he became
a great leader during the time of turmoil when the country had no official leader.
His courage, dedication, bravery, and intelligence of the victory in the American
Revolution.
4. Characterize the conflict between big states and small states.
Big states: wanted congress to be composed of two houses and delegates should
be assigned according to population (favored representation of each state based
on population). Small states: wanted a congress of one house because each state
should be preserved and each state should have one vote (favored equal
representation of each state).
5. Who was James Madison?
James Madison—the Father of our Constitution, Madison dedicated himself to
recording notes and speeches in the Philadelphia conventions. His political
leadership during the time of need allowed him to obtain the title. Madison also
proposed the Virginia plan.
6. What plan for government was in the Virginia plan?
Madison’s Virginia plan—It divided power among the three branches
(Legislative, Executive, and Judicial) and proposed a bicameral, or two-house,
legislature, with membership based on each state’s population (meaning states
with larger population would have more seats than states with fewer residents.
Voters would elect members of the lower house, who would then elect members
of the upper house. This gave more power to states with large populations. The
legislature would have the power to veto state laws. A strong President would
head the Executive branch.
7. Who was William Patterson? What counterproposal measures were included in
the New Jersey plan?
William Patterson’s New Jersey plan—proposed a unicameral or single-house
legislature, in which each state had an equal representation (voice). This gained
support of the small states and recognized states’ sovereignty. An executive
committee would head the government, not a President.
8. Who was Roger Sherman?
Roger Sherman of Connecticut (a political leader, successful merchant who
studied law and became politically involved in the convention; he also helped
draft the Declaration of Independence) introduced the Great Compromise—
which resolved the issue of state representation in the national legislature. It
offered a two-house Congress to satisfy both small and big states.
9. What is another name for the Great Compromise? What parts of the Virginia Plan
and the New Jersey Plan did the Great Compromise bring together?
Most state plans were named after the state the delegate represented so the
Great Compromise was also called the “Connecticut Compromise”. It combined
the New Jersey’s Plan’s proposal of equal representation for all states with the
Virginia Plan’s proposal of a bicameral legislature by making the members of
the Senate equal in number for each state and the members of the House of
Representative dependent on population.
10. How did the Great Compromise settle the issue of political representation?
Great Compromise each state would have equal representation in the Senate,
or upper house. The size of the population of each state would determine its
representation in the House of Representatives, or lower house. Voters of each
state would chose members of the House. State legislatures (House
Representatives) would choose members in the Senate.
11. Why was Sherman’s compromise a success?
Sherman’s plan pleased both those who favored government by the people and
those who defended states rights insofar as it preserved the power of state
legislatures (resolved issues with large and small states).
12. Why did Sherman’s Great Compromise fail to resolve conflict?
Sherman’s plan failed to resolve conflict because the population based on
representation raised the question of whether slaves should be counted as
people.
13. Explain the debate regarding the representation in Congress.
There was still the issue of slaves when it came to population. Most southern
states raised the question on whether slaves should be counted as people toward
population, in order to get more representatives from their state.
14. What was the three-fifths compromise?
Three-fifths (3/5) Compromise—called for 3/5 of a state's slaves could be
counted as population within that state’s representing body. The increase in
population resulted in additional seats in Congress and additional electoral
votes. Northerners disagreed due to having less slaves resulting in less
representation in the house. Southerners agreed due to having more slaves
resulting in more representation in the house and more power in presidential
elections.
15. In what two ways does the constitution divide power?
Federalism—Power should be divided between the state and national
government. The national government is separated by the three branches of
government. The Constitution divided the national government into these three
branches called the Legislative, Executive, and Judicial.
16. Which powers were granted to the national government and to the state
governments?
The national government has the power to control foreign affairs, provide
national defense, regulate trade between states, and coin money. The state
governments have the power to provide and supervise education, establish
marriage laws, and regulate trade within the state.
17. In what ways did the delegates limit the authority of the federal government?
The new system of government was a form of federalism which divides the
powers of government between the national government and state government.
Powers granted to the national government by the constitution are known as
delegated powers or enumerated powers. Powers kept by the states are called
reserved powers. Both levels of government share such powers called
concurrent powers such as the right to tax, to borrow money, to pay debt, and
establish courts.
18. What new system of national government did the delegates agree upon at the
Constitutional Convention of 1787?
The delegates agreed to adopt a system that divided power between the federal
government and sate governments; the federal government would have three
branches: Legislative, Executive, and Judicial. The Legislative branch would be
bicameral, with one house’s representation based on a state’s population and the
other house’s representation equal for all states. A strong President would head
the Executive branch and federal courts would make up the Judicial branch.
19. Explain the three branches of government.
Legislative branch makes laws and changes to existing laws based
on the Constitution and the Bill of Rights (House of Representatives & Senate);
Executive branch carry out/enforce laws (President, Vice President, and
Cabinet); and Judicial branch studies--interpret/reviews laws (U.S. Supreme
Court).
20. How does the system of checks and balances strengthen rather than weaken the
government’s power?
The system preserves the power of government by ensuring that no branch
becomes powerful enough to diminish the power of another branch. This
maintained separation of power among the branches of the federal government
is called checks and balances—provided to prevent one branch from dominating
the others.
21. Why do you think the framers of the constitution distrusted the popular will of the
people to elect the President?
The framers did not trust the uneducated masses to elect a President because
many educated leaders felt the masses would not be informed of presidential
duties to help benefit them in the long run.
22. What is the Electoral College? Who represents the Electoral College?
The leaders of the constitutional convention feared placing to much power in the
hands of the people. The delegates came up with the Electoral College. This
would be a group of delegates chosen by a state to vote for the president and vice
president (would cast ballots for the candidates) at this time the Electoral
College would at the Constitutional convention would select Senators and House
of Representatives.
23. What difficulties might presidents encounter by winning the electoral vote but
losing the popular vote?
The president would not have the support of the people behind him. He would
not become a popular president; every move the president makes would be
criticized. His legacy might be viewed by some as illegitimate. They may have a
harder time finding support for their programs. The country would be divided
on issues affecting the nation.
24. In what election year did this occur recently? Who were the candidates involved?
The 2000 Presidential election: George Bush and Al Gore. Al Gore won the
popular vote by a margin of almost 540,000 votes. The Electoral College gave
George Bush 271 electoral votes (one more than the needed 270 to win the
presidency).
Chapter 5: Creating the Constitution (1781-1789)
Ch. 5, section 3
1. Who were the Anti-Federalists and the Federalists?
Federalists—supports of the Constitution because they favored a balance of
power between the states and the national government. Anti-federalists—
opposed having such a strong central government, thus against the Constitution.
2. What were the Anti-Federalists’ major arguments against the Constitution?
The Anti-Federalists feared that government would serve the interests of the
privileged minority and ignore the rights of the majority. They also stated the
Constitution did not protect the individual rights, would threaten people’s
liberties, that a single government could not govern such a large country, and
that there would be abuse of power by such a strong central government.
Finally, they wanted the Bill of Rights to protect personal liberties of individual
citizens.
3. What views did the Federalists hold toward the argument for the Constitution?
The Federalists stated a strong central government was needed to tackle the new
nation’s problems and insisted that the division of powers and the system of
checks and balances would protect Americans from the tyranny of
centralized authority.
4. What did The Federalist argue?
It was a series of 85 essays that analyzed the Constitution and explained why
ratification of the Constitution would be beneficial. It also argued that the
division of powers and the system of checks and balances would protect
Americans from tyrannical authority or a centralized authority.
5. What were the arguments made by the Anti-Federalists and Federalists over
adding a Bill of Rights to the Constitution?
Anti-Federalists stated the Constitution created a powerful national government,
making the Bill of Rights necessary to protect the people. Federalists stated the
Constitution gave only limited powers to the national government and so it could
not violate the rights of the states or people.
6. What role did James Madison play in the creation of the Bill of Rights?
James Madison, being a leading Federalist and framer of the constitution, used
his experience and powers of persuasion to win support for the United States
Constitution. He promised to ratify the Bill of Rights, if the states ratified the
Constitution.
7. What role did the Bill of Rights play in ratification of the Constitution? In what
year was the constitution ratified?
The Federalists pledged to add the Bill of Rights to the U.S. Constitution. This
pledge would help them win the support of additional states they needed to
ensure ratification. Before the Constitution could go into effect it had to be
ratified by 2/3 of the states. Ratification—official approval—required the
agreement of at least nine states of the thirteen states. The Constitution was
ratified on September 17, 1789—the Bill of Rights added December 1791.
Delaware was the first and New Hampshire was the ninth.
8. List the first ten amendments to the US Constitution.
The first 10 amendments: the Bill of Rights
I - Freedom of speech, press, religion, assembly, and petition.
II - Right to keep and bear arms.
III -Conditions for quarters of soldiers (protection from having to house
soldiers).
IV- Right of search and seizure regulated (protection from having home being
searched).
V - Provisions concerning prosecution (provides that certain steps be taken if
someone is charged with a crime).
VI - Right to a speedy trial, witnesses, etc.
VII - Right to a trial by jury (civil lawsuits, court cases involving private rights).
VIII - Excessive bail/cruel punishment (right to fair punishment).
IX – Rights maintained by the people (to make sure rights not mentioned in
the Bill of Rights would also be protected).
X - Rights of the states under Constitution.
9. How did the Bill of Rights protect personal liberties?
The first eight amendments spell out the personal liberties the states had
requested. (1st) Religious and Political freedoms, (2nd) Right to Bear Arms, (3rd)
Freed from quartering soldiers, (4th) Freed against unreasonable searches and
seizures, (5th) Rights of accused persons, (6th) Right to a speedy public trial, (7th)
right to trial by jury, and (8th) limits on fines and punishments. The ninth and
tenth amendments impose general limits on the powers of the federal
government.
10. Why do you think the third amendment was added in the Bill of Rights?
The third amendment (freedom from quartering soldiers/troops) which
prevented the government from housing troops in private homes during
peacetime because this violated privacy of others also everyone was familiar with
amendment #2 (right to bear arms).
11. How did Americans ratify the US Constitution, and what are its basic principles?
In each state, a specially elected convention debated ratification and determined
whether to approve the Constitution. The approval of nine of the thirteen states
was needed and obtained. The key principles of the Constitution are popular
sovereignty, limited government, separation of powers, federalism, checks and
balances, and representative government. These principles and because the
Constitution provides a process has enabled it to endure for more than 200
years.
12. Why do you think the delegates made amending the Constitution difficult?
So that amending the Constitution would be taken seriously and changescould
not be made only to suit or favor a specific individual, group, or cause.
13. How many times has the U.S. Constitution been changed? What are these
changes called?
The Constitution has been changed 27 times=27 amendments added.
Questions for Review
1. The first ten (10) amendments to the Constitution are known as what and were
added for what purpose?
a. The Bill of Rights, added to define the branches of government under the
Constitution.
b. The Preamble, added to protect the citizens from government abuses.
c. The Bill of Rights, added to protect the civil rights of citizens.
d. Article III, added to prevent the courts from overriding acts of Congress.
2. Anti-federalists favored the Bill of Rights because
a. They did not want a federal government.
b. It was intended to protect the rights of citizens.
c. They believed it was better than the Declaration of Independence.
d. They did not trust the Jeffersonian Republicans.
3. Anti-federalist opposed the Constitution because they thought it endangered the
independence of the
a. Judicial System
c. States
b. Trade System
d. National government
4. “Congress shall make no laws respecting an establishment of religion or
prohibiting the free exercise there of or abridging the freedom of speech or the
Press,” this statement supports
a. Individual rights
c. Popular Sovereignty
b. Executive branch
d. Checks and Balances
5. The principle that authority to govern should be divided between different
branches in order to respect and uphold the natural rights of citizens is known as
a. Separation of Powers
c. Popular Sovereignty
b. The Tenth Amendment
d. The Bill of Rights
6. Popular Sovereignty is based on the belief that
a. The people should have the deciding voice in government.
b. Leaders are not to be trusted.
c. Monarchs have divine rights to rule.
d. Fascism is better than totalitarianism.
7. The Constitution involves checks and balances. It also allows each branch to
check the power of the other two. What is the purpose of this system?
a. To strengthen federalism.
b. To keep any one branch from becoming too authoritative.
c. To allow judicial review.
d. To give absolute power to the President
8. Which of the following is a principle dividing the authority among different
branches of government in order to respect and uphold natural rights of the
citizens?
a. Separation of Powers
c. Popular Sovereignty
b. The Tenth Amendment
d. the Bill of Rights.
9. What is the Bill of Rights?
a. all 27 amendments
b. Amendments #1-15
c. the Preamble
d. Amendments #1-10
10. Marissa is the editor of a political magazine. In her latest addition, she prints an
editorial critical of state leaders. Her right to print such an article is protected by
the
a. Supremacy Clause
c. Declaration of Independence
b. Sixth Amendment
d. First Amendment
11. The first amendment protects all of the following except
a. Speech
c. Vote
b. Press
d. Religion
12. The ____________ amendment defines cruel and unusual punishment.
a. 6th
c. 8th
th
b. 7
d. 9th
13. The Bill of Rights was adopted by Congress in 1791 to preserve which political
principle?
a. the separation of powers
b. the prohibition of racial discrimination
c. the restriction of political terms
d. the limitation of the federal government
14. In the presidential election of 2000, the final outcome came down to the results in
Florida. Following a Supreme Court decision halting further recounts, George
W. Bush was declared the victor, having won a
A. majority of the popular vote.
B. Plurality of the popular vote and a majority of the Electoral College
vote.
C. Majority of the Electoral College vote
D. Majority of the popular vote and the Electoral College vote.
14. The MAIN purpose of the Bill of Rights was to
A. appeal to Federalists in the ratification battle.
B. fulfill promises made in the Great Compromise.
C. repair flaws in the Article of Confederation.
D. Guarantee individual liberties and state powers.
16. Which amendment to the Constitution provides for due process of law and
ensures that people cannot be forced to testify against themselves?
A. The Second Amendment
C. The Fifth Amendment
B. The Ninth Amendment
D. The Tenth Amendment
Chapter 5 Vocabulary
Creating the Constitution and United States Constitution
1. Republic—governments in which people elect their representatives.
2. Republicanism—a form of government in which leaders are elected by their citizens,
and pass laws for the benefit of the entire republic; idea that government should be
based on the consent of the people.
3. Unicameral Legislature—one with a single house, whose members were elected by
the people.
4. Bicameral Legislature—a lawmaking body with two houses—a Senate and a House
of Representatives.
5. Articles of Confederation—the first form of government within the United States
(drafted in the Continental Congress in 1777) set up as a league or alliance of states
that agree to work together. The Articles was a loose confederation of the 13 states
(weak form of government), rather than a strong and centralized nation.
6. Federal—national government that consisted of a Congress of delegates, chosen by
state legislatures rather than by voters.
7. Land Ordinance of 1785—a system devised by Congress and designed for
dispensing, distributing, or managing (surveying the land) the public lands in the
Northwest Territory.
8. Northwest Ordinance of 1787—(government for the western territory) law which
provided a basis for governing the Northwest Territory. First, the Congress
would appoint a territorial government led by a governor, secretary, and three judges.
Second, once the territory had 5,000, they could establish an elected assembly. Third,
when the population reaches 60,000 the people could request admission to the Union
as a state on equal terms with the original 13 states.
9. Shay’s Rebellion— (Daniel Shay) an attempt by a group of indebted farmers to
secure weapons from a Federal Armory, became the catalyst (primary reason) for the
United States to recognize the need for a new constitution. After Shay’s rebellion, the
leaders realized that without the ability to tax the central government could not repair
the national economy.
10. James Madison—delegate from Virginia who took the best notes at the
Constitutional Convention later he was called the “Father of the Constitution” for his
leadership at the Constitutional Convention. He also devised the Virginia plan that
proposed a bicameral legislature with representation based upon population.
11. William Patterson—delegate from New Jersey who developed the New Jersey
Plan which favored the small states in representation. The New Jersey plan gave
Congress equal representation for all states regardless of a state’s population. Also,
states had no power to veto laws.
12. Roger Sherman—delegate from Connecticut who reached a compromise between
the Virginia plan and the New Jersey plan known as the Connecticut Compromise
or Great Compromise. It called for a two house legislature which benefits the
small and large states. The Senate would equally represent every state, regardless of
size, allowing 2 per state. The House of Representatives would represent population
granting more power to the larger states.
13. Great Compromise—it helped to “save” the United States Constitution by settling
the dispute between the Virginia Plan (large states) and the New Jersey plan (small
states); a compromise at the Constitutional Convention calling for a two-house
legislature, with one house elected on the basis of population and the other
representing each state equally.
14. Federalism—political system in which power is shared between the national and
state governments. Federalism usually separates/divides power between the national
and state governments.
15. Three-Fifths Compromise—a compromise in which each enslaved person would be
counted as three-fifths a person for the purpose of legislative representation. This
meant for every five slaves only three would count the same for a white person in
representation. The Southern states favored this compromise because they had more
slaves and wanted more representation in government.
16. Ratification—official approval
17. Federalists—one who favored ratification of the Constitution. The group included
members such as George Washington, James Madison, and Alexander Hamilton.
They stressed the weakness of the Articles and felt the Constitution would provide a
balance of a strong national government with controlled power.
18. Anti-federalists—one who favored a strong state government and opposed a strong
national government due to fear of a return to kingly power. The group consisted of
Samuel Adams, John Hancock, George Clinton, Richard Henry Lee, and Patrick
Henry. They required the protection of personal liberties (the Bill of Rights) in
order to balance the US Constitution.
19. Federalists papers—The Federalists, a series of 85 essays written by Madison,
Hamilton, and Jay that explained and defended the US Constitution; it was used to
sway the anti-federalists approval of the US Constitution. The documents explain the
benefits of a union between states.
20. Bill of Rights—The first ten amendments to the United States Constitution; written
as a list of freedoms guaranteed to citizens by the government, a protection of
citizens personal liberties. They were ratified in 1789 as promised by the Federalists
to encourage Anti-Federalists support of the US Constitution.
21. United States Constitution—a plan of government that describes the different parts
of the government and their duties and powers, established in 1787; it is the living
document that governs our country today.
22. Popular Sovereignty—the principle in which the people are the only source of
government power (people’s vote).
23. Limited Government—the principle stating that the government has only as much
authority as the people give it and therefore, its power is limited (consent of the
govern).
24. Separation of Powers—a key principle for the government that divides power
among the three branches of government: executive, legislative, and judicial. Each
branch has their own specific power/job.
25. Legislative Branch—Article One of the US Constitution, this branch is responsible
for making the laws; it consists of the bi-cameral congress: Senate (upper house) and
House of Representative (lower house).
26. Executive Branch—Article Two of the US Constitution, this branch is responsible
for executing/enforcing the laws; it consists of the President, Vice President, and
Cabinet.
27. Judicial Branch—Article Three of the US Constitution, this branch is responsible
for interpreting the laws; it consists of the US Supreme Court (9 Justices—1 Chief
Justice and 8 Associate Justices).
28. Checks and Balances—a guiding principle in the US Constitution that are to ensure
no one branch can become too powerful; it is to monitor the actions and limit the
powers of the branches—two of the three branches have to agree.
29. Electoral College—a group of persons chosen from each state to indirectly elect the
President and Vice President of the United States; usually made up of members in
the House of Representatives and Senate.
30. House of Representatives—members of the Congress considered the lower house
elected by people of their state; based on population—number equals 435; must be
at least 25 yrs. old, serve 2 yr. terms; terms unlimited; also known as the “people
house”—vote for people.
31. Senate—members of the Congress considered the upper house elected by people of
their state; based on equality—number equals 2 per state (100); must be at least 30
yrs. old, serve 6 yr. terms, terms unlimited; has authority to put individual on trial,
“voice of public opinion”.
32. Impeachment—the official removal of a public official; accusation against a public
official of wrongdoing in office.
33. Supreme Court—members of the Judicial branch, which includes nine justices (1
Chief Justice and 8 Associate Justices), they serve for a lifetime; appointed by the
President and confirmed/approved by Congress (Senate).
34. Judicial Review—the Supreme Court has the power to review acts of the federal
government and to cancel any acts that are unconstitutional, or violate a provision in
the Constitution.
35. Amendments—changes to the US Constitution; total 27