American Government Study Guide Exam 2 Chapter 5 The Founding Fathers and the Constitution o What experience did the earliest citizens of our country have with governance prior to the Articles of Confederation First representative assembly in 1619 First Continental Congress 1774 Declaration of Independence Second Continental Congress1775 6 o What were other influences on the constitutional drafters John Locke Thomas Hobbes Montesquieu social contract consent of governed separation of powers o Who has been called the Father of the Constitution James Madison o What is a confederation Highly decentralized governmental system in which national government derives limited authority from the states rather directly from its citizens o What were the problems with the Articles of Confederation National Gov had no power to raise revenue needed to repay national debt National Gov had no power to raise an army National Gov lacked power to regulate interstate commerce international trade or currency Required a unanimous consent for ratification amendment To much power for each state No executive branch o What event led to the convening of the constitutional convention in 1787 Shay s Rebellion o James Madison came to the convention with his Virginia Plan What elements were put in the constitution What elements were not in the constitution o What were the four major principles in designing the constitution System of three branches Bicameral legislature Republicanism Separation of Powers Checks and Balances Federalism o What were the compromises the Founders enacted Large state small state Representation Election of President Slaves Representation o What was the New Jersey Plan The Connecticut compromise New Jersey Unicameral legislature each state had single vote Connecticut Compromise Great Compromise Bicameral legislature Senate House o How was the Electoral College a compromise Options Congress can pick Popular election Compromise Each state have vote Electoral College Electors select president o How are amendments added to the constitution 2 3 vote of House and Senate Vote of 3 4 state legislatures o Who were the Federalists The Anti federalists Who is the most famous Anti Federalist Federalist Wanted to ratify Constitution Anti Federalist Did not want to ratify constitution Patrick Henry most famous Anti Federalist o What were the concerns of the Anti federalists with the newly drafted Constitution What was their big win It gave too much power to the national government at the expense of the state governments There was no bill of rights Big Win The national government could maintain an army in peacetime Congress because of the necessary and proper clause wielded too much power The executive branch held too much power o Why were The Federalist Papers written Who were the authors Why a republic can work in a large country Why separation of powers can limit abuse of power Why federation can limit abuse of power How to keep representatives honest pluralism and frequent elections Authors Madison Hamilton and Jay o What issues did the articles deal with Article 1 Congress Article 2 Executive Article 3 Judiciary Article 4 States Article 5 Revision 2 o What is the compound republic of America Federalist 51 In a compound republic of America the power surrendered by the people is first divided between two distinct governments and then the portion allotted to each subdivision among district and separate departments Hence a double security arises to the rights of the people The different governments will control each other and at the same time each will be controlled by itself o What are enumerated powers for the federal government contained in the Constitution To borrow money on the credit of the US To lay and collect taxes duties imposts and excises Admit new states to the union Declare war create and maintain armed forces Coin money Establish rules of naturalization and bankruptcy Establish post offices Punish pirates o What are the requirements to change the U S Constitution 2 3 House and Senate states must ratify 2 3 states states ratify results States can call constitutional convention o What type of government did we have in the US before the constitution was ratified Confederation o The First Amendment deals with what five components Speech Press Religion Petition Assembly rights 10th Amendment Article 1 Article 2 27 can this be o What component of the bill of rights was most supportive of states o The Congress is set out in which article of the constitution o The Presidency is set out in which article of the constitution o How many amendments are there in the U S Constitution o The newest amendment 27th is in some sense one of the oldest How 3 Because it was submitted to the states in 1789 but did not get ratified until 1992 o What are the terms of the U S House members U S Senators House 2 years Senate 6 years o Who is the president of the Senate Vice president of the U S o What does the constitution say about revenue bill introductions It must be introduced in the House o What are the most important Congressional powers in the constitution Provide for general welfare spending Regulate commerce with foreign nations and among the Lay and collect taxes several states interstate commerce Laws necessary and proper for carrying forward the powers vested in the constitution elastic clause o What is the elastic clause Laws necessary and proper for carrying forward the powers vested in the constitution o What is the relation of the presidential oaths to the Constitution o What branch of government is included in Article 3 Article II Section I Judicial o Other than the amendment process is there another way that the constitution can be changed What is the process Has this been used in the history of the country States can call constitutional convention 2 3 states states ratify results Never been successfully used o What is the 2nd amendment A well regulated Militia being necessary to the security of a free State the right of the people to keep and bear Arms shall not be infringed o How does the 4th amendment relate to modern times In relation to search and seizure and having probable cause o How many senators from each state serve in the U S senate o How old must you be to serve in the House of Representatives o Executive power is vested in which branch 2 25 years old Executive 4 o How many states had to ratify the constitution for it to become law of the land How many states actually did ratify the
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