U.S. Constitution Part A Test Review

The First Continental Congress While meeting in Philadelphia, they petitioned the King demanding that their rights as colonist be restored. In King responded with force and the Revolutionary War began. U.S.Constitution

 The Second Continental Congress acting as the government appointed a committee to write a document declaring independence.  On July 4, 1776 the Second Continental Congress approved the declaration. U.S. Constitution

 In January 1776, Thomas Paine published a pamphlet called Common Sense 1.He discredited hereditary kingship. 2.Blamed the misfortunes of the colonies on the king U.S. Constitution

Weaknesses  No federal branch of government to enforce laws  no judicial branch, states interpreted laws  could not tax, it could only raise money through borrowing  could not regulate trade  laws had to be approved by 9 of 13 states Articles of Confederation

 George Washington was selected to preside over the Constitution meeting. James Madison is considered the “Father of the Constitution” because what we know of the convention is due to his journal, where he wrote about the daily events. U.S. Constitution

 Thomas Jefferson wrote most of what we know as the Declaration of Independence, describing why the colonies should be free. U.S. Constitution

Virginia Plan Designed by James Madison Created a government with 3 branches with a bicameral legislature with representation in the legislature being based on state population. U.S. Constitution

New Jersey Plan Proposed by William Patterson Same as the Virginia plan except having a unicameral legislature with equal representation with each state having one vote U.S. Constitution

GREAT COMPROMISE Roger Sherman of Connecticut proposed a plan of government that created a bicameral legislature. The Senate (upper house) would have equal representation The House of Representatives (lower house) would have representation based on population Also called the Connecticut Compromise U.S. Constitution

 The main purpose of the Constitution is to provide a framework for the U.S. Government U.S. Constitution

 Enumerated-Powers given to the Federal Government. Enumerated=Expressed  For Example:  Coin and Print Money  Establish a Postal Service. U.S. Constitution

 Enumerated-Powers given to the Federal Government. Enumerated=Expressed  For Example:  Coin and Print Money  Establish a Postal Service. U.S. Constitution

 Concurrent Powers- Powers shared by state and federal government  For Example:  Establish Courts  Borrow Money U.S. Constitution

 Reserved Powers are powers set aside for State Governments  10 TH Amendment  Establish Local Governments  Conduct Elections. U.S. Constitution

 Federalism-Power is shared by the national government and the states.  Bicameral-Two House  House of Representatives (U.S.) House of Commons (England Senate (U.S.) House of Lords (England U.S. Constitution

 Popular Sovereignity  Power lies with the People

Federalists Supported the Constitution Took the name to emphasize federalism Said our country would not last without a strong central government Supported through a series of articles called “The Federalist” written by James Madison, John Jay, and Alexander Hamilton U.S. Constitution

Anti-Federalists Opposed the Constitution Said it gave the government to much power Objected that the Constitution did not contain a Bill of Rights U.S. Constitution

 The first ten amendments were added to the Constitution in The Bill of Rights protect our civil liberties (the freedoms we have to think and act without government interference or fear of unfair treatment). U.S. Constitution

The Federalist agreed that if the Constitution was adopted the new government would add a bill of rights. The Bill of Rights is the 1 st 10 Amendments U.S. Constitution

 Each branch of government is able to restrain the power of the others.  Checks and Balances  The split of authority among the three branches of Government  Separation of powers U.S. Constitution

 This terms means change  Amend  This terms means approve Ratify U.S. Constitution

 Which Article deals with the legislative branch  Article 1   Which Article deals with the executive branch  Article 2  Which Article deals with the judicial branch  Article 3 U.S. Constitution

 Judicial Branch-Interprets laws  For Example: Has somebody rights been violated according the U.S. Constitution  Executive Branch-Carries out the Laws Legislative Branch-Makes the Laws U.S. Constitution