Bill of rights
First ten amendments in the constitution
Checks and Balances
System that prevents any branch of government from becoming too
powerful.
Constitution
formal plan of goverment
Constitutional Convention
A meeting held in Philadelphia at which delegates from the
states attempted to improve the existing government.
Federalist Papers
a series of essays in support of the Constitution
Inflation
Increased prices for goods and services combined with the reduced value of
money
Northwest Territory
area including present day Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan,
Wisconsin, and part of Minnesota
George Mason
Delegate to the Constitutional Convention that became an Antifederalist
Tariffs
Taxes on imports or exports
Three Fifths Compromise
Agreement that stated that each slave would be counted as 3/5
person when determining representation.
Which historical figure promoted the idea that government should not establish an official church
Thomas Jefferson
Which power was given to Congress under the Articles of Confederation?
settle disputes, mint coins, borrow money, negotiate treaties.
Which factor determined whether a territory could become a state?
total population
How were American merchants affected by British tariffs
They had to raise prices.
They had to raise prices.
printing too much paper money
Why did Shays and his men shut down the courts in Massachusetts?
to prevent their land from being sold
What change occurred in part due to Shays’ Rebellion?
The Constitutional Convention was called.
What was the original purpose of the Constitutional Convention?
to revise the Articles of Confederation
What part of the great compromise was influenced by the new jersey plan
equal representation for states in upper house
What was the main issue that led to the Three-Fifths Compromise?
how slaves should be counted toward representation
What is controlled by the system of checks and balances
The system of checks and balances limits the power of each branch of government
What was the main reason the Antifederalists opposed the Constitution
It lacked a Bill of Rights.
Why was it important for New York and Virginia to ratify the Constitution?
They were the largest states
What form did the Bill of Rights take when it became law?
amendments to the Constitution
Explain the process of amending the Constitution
The framers of the Constitution did not want changing the Constitution to be easy. It took a 2/3 vote of Congress to ratify an amendment AND ¾ of the states had to ratify an amendment.
What does the assignment of township sections reveal about the values of Americans at this time?
The assignment of sections revealed that Americans valued veterans and education at this time.
What were problems of the Articles of Confederation?
No executive, no national court system, weak central government, only one branch, no military, and no ability to tax.
What difficulties were involved with interstate commerce?
Different currencies and different regulations. Under the articles of Confederation states did not have to cooperate with each other.
What was the Great Compromise? Include in your answer what questions was being debated, both sides of the debate, and how key elements of each side were used to create Congress?
The Great Compromise created Congress. The question being debated was how should representation be determined for the legislative branch. The two sides were the small states
and the large states. The small states promoted the New Jersey Plan. This plan called for a unicameral (one house) legislature with representation from each state being equal. The larger states promoted the Virginia Plan. This plan promoted a bicameral (two house legislature) with representation being determined by population. The compromise reached was a bicameral legislature made up of the House of Representatives 9representatin based on population) and the Senate (representation based on equality).
How did Federalism limit the central government?
Some powers were given to the states (education, local elections) and denied to the federal government