Term
Identify the two constitutions for the United States |
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Definition
The Articles of Confederation and the Constitution of the United States of America |
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Term
Describe the Virginia Plan
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Definition
The Virginia Plan would have established a three branch government (legislative, executive and judicial). The legislative branch was bicameral (two houses) with both houses based on population. (proportional representation) |
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Term
What is proportional representation? What house of Congress follows this model? |
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Definition
The number of representatives each state gets is based on its population. (more people, more votes as in the House of Representatives) |
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Term
What is equal representation? What house of Congress follows this model?
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Definition
The number of representatives each state gets is equal. (as in the Senate) |
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Term
Explain the 3/5ths Compromise. |
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Definition
The 3/5ths Compromise was an agreement between northern and southern states that agreed to count 3/5ths of the slaves for voting purposes and taxation. |
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Term
Describe the Great Compromise. |
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Definition
This Great Compromise is the basis for our current Constitution. It combines both the New Jersey and the Virginia Plans. It establishes three branches of government (legislative, executive and judicial) The legislative is bicameral. One house is based on proportional representation; (from the VA plan, the House of Representatives) the other is based on equal representation. (from the NJ plan, the Senate) |
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Term
Name each of the three branches of government created by the Constitution. What are their rolls? |
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Definition
Legislative Branch (makes laws)
Judicial Branch (judges laws)
Executive Branch (enforces laws) |
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Term
What is meant by the “separation of powers”? Give examples. |
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Definition
This idea ensures that the Legislative, Executive and Judicial branches of the government are in separate and independent bodies with different powers. Examples: Congress makes laws, the President enforces laws and the Supreme Court judges laws |
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Term
What is meant by “checks and balances”? Give examples |
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Definition
| This idea imposes limits on all branches of a government by giving each branch the right to amend or void those acts of other branches. Examples: Congress can impeach a President; the President can veto laws passed by Congress; and the Supreme Court can judge the actions of the President and Congress as unconstitutional |
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Term
What is the Electoral College? |
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Definition
This body of “electors” actually chooses the president of the United States. The number of electors per state is the sum of the Senators + the number of House of Representative each state has. |
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Term
What is the purpose of the Preamble to the Constitution? |
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Definition
This is a statement of the basic purposes, principles, and goals of the government established by the Constitution of the United States. |
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Term
What is a change to the Constitution called? |
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Definition
| A change to the Constitution is called an amendment. |
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Term
What is “The Bill of Rights”? Give examples of some of these rights. |
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Definition
These are the first 10 Amendments to the Constitution; they guarantee individual rights to people (ex. Freedom of religion, speech, press and assembly and the right to bear arms). |
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Term
Describe the New Jersey Plan |
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Definition
The number of representatives each state gets is equal. (as in the Senate) |
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