The Constitution & Bill of Rights

What was the primary reason for holding the Constitutional Convention of 1787?

• Outlaw slavery in both the North and South
• places taxes on imports and exports
• revise the Articles of Confederation
• reduce the power of the Federal government

The Great Compromise at the Constitutional Convention of 1787 was important because it

• established suffrage for all males over the age of 21
• ended the controversy over slavery
• created a single-house national legislature
• balanced the interests of states with large and small populations

The purpose of the 3/5 Compromise, which was adopted by the Constitutional Convention of 1787, was to

• balance power between states with large populations and those with smaller populations
• provide a means of deciding disputed Presidential elections
• allow Congress to override a Presidential veto of an act passed by both Houses
• reduce the fear of loss of representation by Southern states with large slave populations

"We, the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice,...and secure the blessings of liberty...do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."
This quotation from the Preamble illustrates the constitutional principle that people

• have a right to trial by jury
• are guaranteed an adequate standard of living
• are the true source of political power
• have the right to assemble

The term supreme law of the land refers to which document?

• Fundamental Orders of Connecticut
• Constitution of the United States
• Articles of Confederation
• Declaration of Independence

"...it is the opinion of this committee that a national government ought to be established consisting of a Supreme Legislature, Judiciary and Executive..."
----Resolution submitted by Edmund Randolph, delegate to the Constitutional Convention, 1787
In adopting this resolution, the framers of the Constitution showed their belief in the idea of

• judicial review
• an elastic clause
• states' rights
• separation of powers

The United States Government is considered a federal system because

• national laws must be passed by both houses of Congress
• powers are divided between state and national government
• the states are guaranteed a republican form of government
• the President is selected by the Electoral College

"...Now, one of the most essential branch of English liberty is the freedom of one's house.  A man's house is his castle; and whilst he is quiet, he is as well guarded as a prince in his castle..."
-----James Otis, Against the Writs of Assistance, 1761
Which provision in the Bill of Rights includes this same belief?

• right to a fair trial
• protection against unreasonable search and seizure 
• guarantee against double jeopardy
• prohibition of cruel and unusual punishment

In the United States Supreme Court case Engel v. Vitale (1962), concerning the separation of church and state, the Court banned

• state-required prayer in public schools
• the study of religions in public schools
• released time for religious instruction for public school students
• transportation of students to parochial schools at public expense

The United States Supreme Court decision in Miranda v. Arizona (1966) shows that the Court can

• suspend civil  liberties in times of national crisis
• increase the power of state governments
• expand the constitutional rights of individuals 
• limit the powers of Congress and the President