Civics: Chapter 3 & 4- Constitution SG
Chapter 3, Section 1- First National Constitution
1.What was the nations first constitution? Articles of Confedearation, 1781
2.What were the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation? Too much power to the
staes and not enough to the federal government 1 branch: legislative (not enough power),
no president/courts, states could tax but federal government could not.
3.What were the strengths of the Articles of Confederation? We finally had established a
federal union even though the AOC were weak we were going in the right direction
4.Explain Shay’s Rebellion and how this significant event showed the Articles were too
weak? States could tax, fed gov’t couldn’t. Shay, a farmer, was in jeopardy of losing his
farmland because of not being able to pay his taxes he led a rebellion and lost but it showed
the AOC were too weak and a STRONGER CENTRAL GOV’T was needed.
Chapter 3, Section 2-The Road to the Constitution
1. Describe the Virginia Plan. Who proposed, what was it based on, etc. (know your venn)
Based on Population, favored large states, James Madison. (HOR)
2. Describe the New Jersey Plan. (same as above) Based on Equal Rep, favored small states,
William Patterson (S)
3. Describe the Great Compromise. (same as above) Ended 6-week debate- Bicameral (HOR
+ S)
4. What was the Three-Fifths Compromise? Dealt with how to count slaves. For every 5
slaves, 3 would count.
5. What is the difference between Federalists and Anti-Federalists? F- A Hamilton
“Strong Central Government” held a loose interpretation of the const. AF- T Jefferson
“Strong State & Individual” held a strong interpretation of the const.
6. What was the main objection of the Anti-Federalists to the Constitution? Lacked a Bill
of Rights (individual rights) added in 1791
Chapter 3, Section 3- The Structure of Our Constitution
1. List and label the three parts of the Constitution? Premable (Introduction- states the
purpose and intent) ; 7 Articles (established the structure of government) ; 27 Amendments
(changes)
2. How many articles are in the Constitution? How many amendments? 7 articles/27
amendmends
3. What branch of government does Article I create? Article II? Article III? A1Legislative
A2-Executive
A3- Judicial
4. What is the Supremacy Clause? What Article includes it? Constitution is the Supreme
Law of the Land – Federal Powers > State Powers (VI)
Chapter 3, Section 3- Amending and Interpreting the Constitution
1. What are the two steps to amend the Constitution? 2/3 Proposal; ¾ Ratification
2. What are the two ways to propose an amendment? 2/3 of congress or by a state
convention
3. What are the two ways to ratify an amendment? 3/4 vote
4. What is the Necessary and Proper clause? Powers NOT listed in Congress but if it is a
power they need and is necessary and proper then they can use it
5. What are implied powers? Provide an example? Powers not specifically stated in the
const.—ex: national bank
6. Describe a loose interpretation of the Constitution. Which party has a loose
interpretation? Federalists- if Congress needs more power and it is necessary and proper
then they should be given their powers.
7. Describe a strict interpretation of the Constitution. Which party has a strict
interpretation? Anti-Federalists- if something is NOT stated in the Constitution, then
there is no power.
Chapter 3, Section 4- Principles Underlying the Constitution
1. Describe popular sovereignty. Power lies with the people
2. Describe the rule of law. The law applies to everyone, NO ONE is above the law
3. Describe separation of powers. Who proposed this idea? Making sure no one branch has
more power than another (ex: Legislative branch- makes laws; Executive branch- enforces
laws; Judicial Branch- interprets)
4. Describe checks and balances. Founders wanted to allow the 3 branches to check and
balance the power of each branch. Ex: President can veto—Congress can override
5. Describe federalism. Division of powers between the levels of government (N,S,L)
6. Which level of government gets expressed powers? Reserved powers? Concurrent
powers? Expressed- National Government (make laws/declare war)- Article 1; section 8 –
Concurrent- Both National and State (taxes) – Reserved- State powers (education)
Chapter 4, Section 1- The First Amendment (p. 120-124)
1. What are the five First Amendment freedoms? Rapps
2. What is the establishment clause? Government can’t impose a national religion
3. What is the free exercise clause? Worship as you chose!
4. What is the difference between slander and libel? Who is John Peter Zenger? Why is
his trial significant? Slander is verbal and Libel is written or printed. (Freedom of the
Press) JPZ was on trial for libel but was acquitted of his charges because what he printed
was true.
Chapter 4, Section 2- The Bill of Rights (p. 126-131)
1. What does the Fourth Amendment protect citizens against? No unreasonable searches
and seizures (Exclusionary Rule)
2. What rights are protected by the Fifth Amendment (include all parts!) rights of the
accused- double jeopardy, eminent domain, due process, no self-incrimination, miranda
rights
3. What rights are protected by the Sixth Amendment (include all parts!) criminal casesjury trial/attoryney/fair trial
4. What does the Eighth Amendment protect citizens against? No cruel and unsual
punishment
Chapter 4, Section 3- Extending the Bill of Rights (p. 133-137)
1. What does the Thirteenth Amendment abolish? Slavery (emancipation proclamation)
2. What does the Fourteenth Amendment known as? Equal Protection Clause (defines
citizenship)
3. What group gained voting rights under the Fifteenth Amendment? African American men
suffrage
4. What does the Seventeenth Amendment state? Direct election of senators (prior to
this- state legislatures elected them)
5. What group gained voting rights under the Nineteenth Amendment? Women
6. What does suffrage mean? Right to vote
7. What group gained voting rights under the Twenty Third Amendment? DC gets 3
electoral votes
8. What did the Twenty Fourth Amendment abolish? Poll taxes and literacy test
9. How were poll taxes and literacy test used? To deny certain groups of people from voting
(know the grandfather clause)
10. What group gained voting rights under the Twenty Sixth Amendment? Lowered the
voting age from 21 to 18
***Know your amendments
***Label and Outline of the US Constitution