Checkpoint 7: The US Constitution

Under the U.S. Constitution, who has the most power in the United States?

• citizens

• government

What is one of the main ways U.S. citizens exercise their power?

• by enforcing laws

• by voting

• by complaining

Which statement correctly describes the relationship between the people and the government in the United States?

• People decide which rights the government should have.

• The government decides which rights people should have.

The U.S. Constitution gives certain powers to the federal government. Any powers not reserved for the federal government are given to the states. Additionally, some powers are shared powers, given to both the federal and state governments.

Which term describes the government structure?

• republic

• monarchy

• federal system

• democracy

Determine whether each statement was more likely made by a Constitutional Convention delegate who supported a strong national government or a delegate who supported strong state governments. Check the 2 that apply for a strong national government.

• “We need to build an army to protect our country, but how can we if we cannot collect taxes to fund it?”

• “We must protect ourselves against a president becoming a tyrant like King George III!”

• “The Articles of Confederation formed a half-starved, limping government.”

• “We prefer to make our own decisions because our needs are not the same as yours.”

Large states wanted representation to be _______ .

• equal for all states

• based on population

Small states wanted representation to be ________ .

• equal for all states

• based on population

Northern states wanted slaves __________ toward representation.

• to count

• not to count

Southern states wanted slaves __________ toward representation.

• to count

• not to count

The debate between large states and small states was resolved by the __________ .

• Great Compromise

• Three-Fifths Compromise