I need a constitution change!
Or maybe I need a diaper change… uh oh.
Q: Describe at least two ideas/document that early U.S. leaders used as the basis for the nation’s gov’t.
A: Magna Carta - limited government power. Ruler had to follow same laws as everybody else.
English Bill of Rights - gave the people’s representatives the strongest voice in gov’t.
Enlightenment - government had a duty to protect people’s natural rights.
Mayflower Compact - An example of people governing themselves.
Q: What was the document that created our 1 st national government with limited powers?
A: Articles of Confederation
Q: What were at least two of the major problems that arose under the Articles of Confederation
(consider international and internal(domestic) problems).
A: 1) International Problems
A) America couldn’t force states to provide soldiers to gain control of British forts in
Great Lakes region. The forts protected valuable land and fur trade.
B) Britain closed ports to U.S. ships and forced American merchants to pay high tariffs.
C) Spain closed lower Mississippi River to U.S. shipping. Merchants couldn’t ship goods east.
Congress couldn’t force states to provide soldiers for an army so not too scary for British.
2) Internal Problems
A) States had to raise money for war debt and overdue taxes. Many states printed $ to pay off debt. The
value of $ went down with no gold or silver to back it up, the prices of goods went up- Inflation .
Congress had no power to stop states from issuing more paper money.
B) Shays’ Rebellion pointed out weaknesses of Articles of Confederation (couldn’t put down rebellion)
C) Congress had no power to regulate interstate commerce (trade between the states).
Q: What caused Shays’ Rebellion?
A: 1) Massachusetts taxed land to pay for debt.
2) Farmer’s couldn’t pay debt so they sold land, went to debtor’s prison or indentured servitude.
3) Farmers were losing their land to courts (no sympathy from officials)
Q: Consequences of Shays’ Rebellion?
A: 1) Farmers revolted (led by Daniel Shay) and closed down courts in Massachusetts.
2) Revolt was finally put down by local militia.
3) Pointed out weakness in the Articles of Confederation.
Q: What are the three branches of government and their responsibilities?
A: Legislative: Proposes and passes laws
Executive: Enforces laws; makes sure laws are carried out.
Judicial: Interprets laws, punishes criminals and settles disputes between states.

Q: Describe no less than 2 issues that were debated during the constitutional convention and how they
were resolved.
A: Issue 1State representation in Congress
Virginia Plan (large state plan):
Said representation in Congress should be based on population (bigger population=more power).
Also favored a strong central government.
New Jersey Plan (small state plan):
Said all should get equal representation in Congress (2 reps from each state) and favored
keeping power with the states.
Great Compromise - came up with a bicameral (two house) Congress
To satisfy small states, they have equal representation in the Senate of Congress
To satisfy large states, more population equals more representation in the House of
Representatives.
Issue 2Slavery and representation
North
South
- Thought slaves should count in deciding a state’s taxes.
- Wanted slaves to count toward their population so they would have more representation
in Congress.
3/5 Compromise
Three-fifths of the slaves in each state counted as part of the state’s population (toward
representation in Congress).
Q: What is the right to vote called?
A: Suffrage
Q: What was the purpose of the Federalist Papers?
A: Series of essays that tried to reassure Americans that the new national government would not overpower
the states.
Q: What were the fears/concerns of the Antifederalists about the Constitution?
A: 1) They were afraid that the national government would become too strong.
2) Constitution did not have a section that guaranteed individual rights.
Q: What was promised that helped several states ratify the Constitution?
A: Bill of Rights
Q: What is the system in our government that makes sure one branch of the government doesn’t
become too strong?
A: Check and Balances
Q: Official changes, corrections or additions.
A: Amendments
Q: What is the sharing of power between a central government and states that make up the country?
A: Federalism
Q: Official approval
A: ratification
Q: People who opposed the new constitution and wanted most power in with the states.
A: Antifederalists