Chapter 3 – Goal 1 – SG Key
Chapter 3, Section 1- First National Constitution
1.What was the nations first constitution?Articles of Confederation, 1781.
2.What were the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?Too much power given to the states and not enough to the federal governmentonly 1 branch: legislative (Congress does not enough power), no president/courts, states could tax but federal government could not.
3.What were the strengths of the Articles of Confederation?The US finally had established a federal union even though the AOC were too weak we were headed 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. As a result, he led a rebellion against the government and lost; however, 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 diagram)Based on Population, favored large states, James Madison. (HOR)
2. Describe the New Jersey Plan.(Venn diagram) Based on Equal Rep, favored small states, William Patterson (Senate)
3. Describe the Great Compromise. (Venn diagram) Ended a 6-week debate- established a bicameral legislature (Congress) (HOR “population” + S “equal representation)
4. What was the Three-Fifths Compromise? Dealt with how to count slaves. For every 5 slaves, 3 would count towards the states overall population.
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 rights” held a strict interpretation of the const.
6. What was the main objection of the Anti-Federalists to the Constitution?It lacked a Bill of Rights (individual rights), formally added in 1791
Chapter 3, Section 3- The Structure of Our Constitution
1. List and label the three parts of the Constitution? Preamble (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 amendments
3. What branch of government does Article I create? Article II? Article III?A1- Legislative (makes laws) A2-Executive (enforces) A3- Judicial (interprets)
4. What is the Supremacy Clause? What Article includes it?Constitution is the Supreme Law of the Land – Federal Powers > State Powers (A- 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 votes
4. What is the Necessary and Proper clause? Powers NOT listed in Congress but if it is a power Congress needs 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, election, divorce, etc.)
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 such as: double jeopardy, eminent domain, due process, no self-incrimination, and Miranda rights
3. What rights are protected by the Sixth Amendment (include all parts!) criminal cases- everyone has the right to a jury trial/attorney/fair trial
4. What does the Eighth Amendment protect citizens against? No cruel and unusual punishment
Chapter 4, Section 3- extending the Bill of Rights (p. 133-137)
- What does the Thirteenth Amendment abolish? Slavery (emancipation proclamation; Abraham Lincoln)
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 were granted 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