Introduction/Review: The Constitution

Which term is defined as the idea that political power rests in the hands of the people?

• Popular Sovereignty

• Checks and Balances

• Federalism

• Suffrage

Answer explanation

Popular = People

Sovereignty = Rule; Power

Which term is defined as the US system of government which establishes the sharing of power between national and state governments?

• Popular Sovereignty

• Checks and Balances

• Federalism

• Suffrage

Which term is defined as an agreement that created a two house legislative branch, with the Senate and the House of Representatives?

• Great Compromise

• Popular Sovereignty

• Checks and Balances

• English Bill of Rights

Answer explanation

Remember, the Great Compromise took parts of the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan to create the government we have today!

Which term is defined as an agreement stating that three-fifths (3/5) of a state's slave population would count when determining representation (how many representatives per state) in government?

• New Jersey Plan

• Great Compromise

• Three-Fifths Compromise

• Virginia Plan

Answer explanation

Only 60% of a state's slave population could count towards its overall population!

Which term is defined as a set of basic principles and laws that states the power and duties of the government?

• Constitution

• English Bill of Rights

• Suffrage

• Ratification

Answer explanation

A constitution is a document that outlines how the government will be set up and what powers it has!

Which term is defined as the system created to keep any one branch of government from becoming too powerful?

• Popular Sovereignty

• Checks and Balances

• Federalism

• Suffrage

Answer explanation

Each of the three branches can "check" on the other two branches so each branch has the same amount of power!

In what way did the Constitution attempt to put the ideals set forth in the Declaration of Independence into practice?

• The Constitution established a system of checks and balances within the federal government.

• The Constitution protected the idea that political power belongs to the people.

• The Constitution called for a single leader of the country.

• The Constitution gave supreme power to Congress.

Answer explanation

REMEMBER: The idea of popular sovereignty was presented in the DOI using John Locke's Social Contract Theory. The people give government its power, and we can take it away if we need to!

What is the responsibility (power) of the Judicial Branch?

• To give legal advice

• To interpret the laws

• To write new laws

• To set legal examples

Answer explanation

If there is confusion on what a law means, the Supreme Court can "interpret," or establish the meaning of the law to be followed by everyone!

While Federalism is the sharing of powers between national and state governments, what is Separation of Powers?

• Dividing the government into 3 branches

• Stopping the people from participating in the government

• Separating the strong from the weak

• Splitting the government into 2 branches

Answer explanation

The government "separates" its power into three branches!

Which term is defined as supporters of the Constitution?

• Antifederalists

• Tariffs

• Federalists

• Constitutional Convention

Answer explanation

Federalists supported a strong FEDERAL government set up by the Constitution.