Constitution Reading Questions

What is the Constitution?

• the supreme law of the United States

• A list of reasons we didn't want a King

Why was the Constitution developed?

• to divide the power within the national government and stop someone from becoming King again

• The US wanted to declare its independence from Great Briatain

What made the Articles of Confederation weak?

• weak central government and couldn't collect taxes or regulate trade

• Strong military power

Who met to amend the Articles of Confederation?

• The Continental Congress

• The Federal Assembly

Where did the Constitutional Convention meet?

• Philadelphia

• New York

• Washington D.C.

• Boston

Why were the delegates against one group holding the power?

• They didn't want them to gain too much power

• They wanted a President to rule the government

What is dictatorship?

• A government system where power is spread out among many branches.

• a ruler that has more power than anyone else. like the King of England

What is the purpose of checks and balances in a government system?

• To ensure one branch does not become too powerful

• To declare war

Why do you think James Madison was called The Father of the Constitution?

• Because he was the fourth President of the United States

• Because he played a key role in writing the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights

What happened on September 17, 1787?

• The U.S. Constitution was signed

• The Declaration of Independence was signed

• The Battle of Saratoga occurred

• The first President of the United States was elected