American Government Study Guide Exam # 2Chapter 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 Second Continental Congress1775-6 Declaration of Independenceo What were other influences on the constitutional drafters? John Locke social contract Thomas Hobbes consent of governed Montesquieu separation of powerso 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 citizenso 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 Rebelliono James Madison came to the convention with his Virginia Plan. What elements were put in the constitution? What elements were not in the constitution? System of three branches Bicameral legislatureo What were the four major principles in designing the constitution? Republicanism Separation of Powers Checks and Balances Federalismo What were the compromises the Founders enacted? Large state/small state Representation Slaves Representation Election of Presidento 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- --Each state have vote Compromise- Electoral College- Electors select presidento How are amendments added to the constitution? 2/3 vote of House and Senate Vote of 3/4 state legislatureso 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 draftedConstitution? 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 Jayo What issues did the articles deal with? Article 1: Congress Article 2: Executive Article 3: Judiciary Article 4: States Article 5: Revision2o What is the compound republic of America (Federalist 51)? “In a compound republic of America, the power surrendered bythe 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 inthe 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 pirateso What are the requirements to change the U.S. Constitution? 2/3 House and Senate ¾ states must ratify States can call constitutional convention 2/3 states ¾ states ratify results o What type of government did we have in the US before the constitution was ratified? Confederationo The First Amendment deals with what five components? Speech Press Religion Petition Assemblyo What component of the bill of rights was most supportive of states’ rights? 10th Amendmento The Congress is set out in which article of the constitution? Article 1o The Presidency is set out in which article of the constitution? Article 2o How many amendments are there in the U.S. Constitution? 27o The newest amendment (27th) is in some sense one of the oldest. How can this be?3 Because it was submitted to the states in 1789 but did not get ratified until 1992o What are the terms of the U.S. House members? U.S. Senators? House- 2 years Senate- 6 yearso 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 Houseo What are the most important Congressional powers in the constitution? Provide for general welfare (spending) Lay and collect taxes Regulate commerce with foreign nations and among the 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? Article II Section Io What branch of government is included in Article 3? 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- ¾ states ratify results Never been successfully usedo 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
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