The U.S. Constitution

Demarco thinks the governor is doing a bad job and is not keeping the promises she made to citizens. Using the consent to be governed, how can Demarco show that he is not happy with the governor?

• by voting for someone else as governor in the next election

• by writing angry letters to the governor and other public officials

• by protesting outside the governor’s house until changes are made

• by telling other citizens that the governor is not doing her job

Which of the following was a weakness in the Articles of Confederation government?

• It lacked the power to collect taxes.

• It had no Capitol building

• Its officials were too careless to govern well

• It had been in existence too long.

The Constitution of 1787 was created to replace which of the following?

• the Articles of Confederation

• the Bill of Rights

• the Declaration of Independence

• the Great Compromise

Which BEST explains why the Anti-Federalists objected to the Constitution?

• They believed it gave the federal government too much power.

• They felt that the new nation should abolish slavery.

• They thought the ideas in the Bill of Rights were too extreme.

• They hoped to return to a form of monarchy.

Read the text and answer the question.

George Washington said the Articles of Confederation government was "...little more than a shadow without substance."

What did George Washington mean when he described the Articles of Confederation government this way?

• The Articles of Confederation government was too weak to do any good.

• It was difficult to understand the Articles of Confederation government.

• The Articles of Confederation government kept too many secrets.

• The Articles of Confederation government needed more employees.

The Preamble to the US Constitution begins "We the people . . .," meaning that the citizens of the United States gave the government its power.

Why might some citizens in the late 1700s not agree with including that phrase?

• Most citizens wanted to return to British rule

• Most citizens did not want to live in a democracy

• Many citizens were denied basic rights and freedoms.

• Many citizens believed God gave the government its power.

What gives the US government its power?

• the president

• the representatives

• the American people

• the Declaration of Independence

How do citizens give their consent to be governed?

• through the voting process

• through watching the news

• by writing letters to the editor

• by discussing issues with friends

Read the clues below and identify the person who attended the Constitutional Convention:

● Oldest member of the convention ● Was against slavery ● Known as a framer of the Constitution

• George Washington

• Thomas Jefferson

• James Madison

• Benjamin Franklin

The Constitution was drafted (written) in 1787. Since the people could not agree they had to compromise.

The Great Compromise...

• decided how the President would be elected.

• gave the Supreme Court the power to decide if laws are unconstitutional.

• made a Congress with a Senate and a House of Representatives.

• started the cabinet to help the President.