U.S. Constitution Study Guide

The Articles of Confederation did all of the following EXCEPT

• serve as the first plan of government for the United States.
• form a loose union of states.
• divide power among three branches of government.
• give Congress power to make war and peace.

An important challenge facing the Constitutional Convention was how to balance the

• needs of eastern and western states.
• interests of large and small states.
• rights of slaves and slaveholders.
• demands of farmers and workers.

Supporters of the new Constitution were known as

• Republicans.
• Patriots.
• Anti-Federalists.
• Federalists.

How did the U.S. Constitution solve a problem created by the Articles of Confederation?

• It avoided the issue of states’ rights.
• It allowed the states to elect representatives.
• It prevented the amendment of federal laws.
• It enabled the federal government to collect taxes.

Which plan at the Constitutional Convention solved the problem of representation in the legislature?

• the New Jersey Plan
• the Virginia Plan
• the Great Compromise
• the Congressional Plan

Which term describes a two-house legislature?

• bicameral
• unicameral
• congress
• executive

The passage below about government is from Federalist No. 51
 “If men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls on government would be necessary. . . .  the great difficulty lies in this: you must first enable the government to control  the governed; and in the next place oblige it to control itself.”
 How are the author’s views from this passage applied in the U.S. Constitution?

• The U.S. Constitution limits the rights of the people.
• The U.S. Constitution limits the power of the federal government.
• The U.S. Constitution requires the states to provide for the common defense.
• The U.S. Constitution requires the government to promote the general welfare.

Which house of Congress is based on equal representation and makes small states happy?

• House of Representatives
• Senate
• Judicial Branch
• Executive Branch

Why did the Founding Fathers separate the power to make, enforce, and interpret laws between different branches of government?

• to prevent one branch of government from becoming too powerful
• to make the national government more efficient
• to increase the power of the presidency
• to ensure that Congress would act according to the will of the people

The Supreme Court striking down a law as unconstitutional is an example of

• checks and balances.
• popular sovereignty.
• limited government.
• federalism.