Creating the Constitution & The Constitution Study Guide
The test will consist of multiple choice and short answer questions. Use your
textbook, notes, and handouts to assist you in completing this study guide. See
chapter 5 and the Constitution in the textbook.
Directions: Write definitions, answer the questions, fill in the blanks, circle, or complete the
statement for each of the following.
The Articles of Confederation:
 Definition- system of government in which 2 levels of government share fundamental
powers

List the weakness/issues- Congress could not enact and collect taxes; Congress could
not regulate interstate or foreign trade; Regardless of population, each state only had
one vote in Congress; Two thirds majority-9 out of 13 states needed to agree to pass any
law; Articles can be amended only if all states approved; There was no executive branch
to enforce the laws of Congress; There was no national court system to settle legal
disputes; There were 13 states that lacked national unity

Under the Articles of Confederation, each state got ____1________vote.

Shay’s Rebellion made political leaders realize…the national government was too
weak and something needed to be done to strengthen the government
The Constitutional Convention:
 James Madison was the “__Father of the Constitution_______”.

The Great Compromise/conflict it solved-offered a two house Congress to satisfy both
small states (New Jersey Plan) and big states (Virginia Plan); Equal representation in
the Senate and representation based on population in the House of Representatives

Three-Fifths Compromise/conflict if solved- counting 3 out of every 5 slaves towards
population in determining representation

Slave trade was allowed to continue for…. 20 years

The framers of the Constitution drew from the traditions of __Great
Britain__________(country) when they were writing the Constitution.

The Constitution was signed on___ September 17, 1787 _______________________(date).
Ratifying the Constitution:

Nine out of ____13_____________states needed to ratify the Constitution for it to go into
affect. However, the framers of the Constitution wanted ___ all _____of the states to
agree.

Anti-Federalisto Definition- opponents of the Constitution because they were against having a
strong central (federal) government
o Beliefs- Feared a strong central would abuse its power; would serve the
interests privileged minority and ignore the rights of the majority; individual
rights need to be protected

Federalisto Definition- supporters of the Constitution
o Beliefs- believed the division of powers and the system of checks and balances
would protect Americans from the tyranny of centralized authority

Patrick Henry was a Federalist / Anti-Federalist.

The main purpose of The Federalist was… to defend the Constitution; gain support for
the Constitution and provide explanations of the Constitutional provisions, such as
separation of powers, and the limit on the power of majorities

What did the Federalists promise to add to the Constitution if it was ratified? The Bill
of Rights
The Constitution
 The Constitution is the ___ supreme _____________law of the land.

List the three branches of government & the jobs of each branch.
Executive branch-enforce the law
Legislative branch-create the law
Judicial branch-interpret the law

Congress is forbidden to establish a national religion / military.

The purpose of checks & balances is….to prevent one branch of government from
becoming more powerful the others

The first ten amendments are known as…The Bill of Rights

Why were the first ten amendments added to the Constitution? To gain the support of
the Anti-Federalists and ratify (approve) the Constitution

Explain each of the following amendments:
o 1-Religious and Political Freedom-provides for freedom of speech, freedom of
the press, rights of the people to assemble peacefully, to petition the government
for a redress of grievances
o 15-The Right to Vote- regardless of race, color, or previous condition of
servitude
o 26-18 Year Old Vote-lowered voting age to 18

Senators are given ___6____-year terms in order to create stability in the government.

How long are Supreme Court Justices appointed for? Life

The requirements to become president are… minimum age of 35 and must be a
natural born citizen

How has America become more equal/fair since 1787? Individual rights are protected
and the flexibility of the Constitution allows for the expansion of democracy

Why is the Amendment Process important? It allows for changes or additions to be
made to the Constitution as approved by the people when necessary