Exam Review: A New Government – The Constitution and the Federalist Era, 1787-1800
Key Terms and People: Shays’ Rebellion, Philadelphia (Constitutional) Convention of 1787, Preamble, Great
Compromise, 3/5 Compromise, Electoral College, federalism, delegate, reserved and concurrent powers, expressed
powers, implied powers, elastic clause, loose constructionism, strict constructionism, separation of powers, federal
bureaucracy, checks and balances, impeach, veto, amendment process, judicial interpretation, unwritten Constitution,
the Federalists, The Federalist Essays, Anti-Federalists, Bill of Rights, precedent, George Washington, cabinet, neutrality,
isolationism, two-term tradition, Federalists, Democratic-Republicans, Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, Protective
Tariff, National Bank, Alien and Sedition Acts, Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions.
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Why was a constitutional convention called together in Philadelphia in 1787? What were the goals of the
framers of the Constitution?
Explain three compromises that were worked out at the Constitutional Convention. For each explain the dispute
and how the compromise resolved the dispute.
How does the electoral college system work? Why did the framers of the Constitution decide on this method for
choosing the President? What are some criticisms of the electoral college system?
What is federalism? Why did the authors of the Constitution create a federal system of government? Explain
the differences between delegated, reserved and concurrent powers. Give an example of each.
How were the powers of Congress expanded under the Constitution? What is the difference between an
expressed power and an implied power?
Explain the difference between loose and strict constructionism.
Explain the reason for separation of powers. How can each branch check the power of the others?
What are the constitutional requirements for serving as President? What have been the “unwritten”
requirements?
Why is it said that the President “wears many hats”? Explain 6 jobs of the President,.
What has allowed the Constitution to survive for more than 200 years?
Why was the Bill of Rights added to the Constitution? How does the Bill of Rights address some of the issues
that arose under British rule?
What precedents did Washington establish as President?
What were the goals of Hamilton’s financial program?
Why did parties develop in the U.S. during the 1790s? What were the differences between the first two major
parties?
Why were the Alien and Sedition Acts passed? How did the Democratic Republicans respond to these laws?
Essays
The United States Constitution has been called a living document because of its ability to adapt to changing times.
Discuss three factors or practices that have allowed the Constitution to be so flexible. For each factor or practice,
discuss a specific historical example of how it was used.
During the 1790s, the first two major political parties in the United States developed. Discuss how the ideas of these
two parties differed. Discuss specific conflicts or disagreements that arose over domestic and foreign policy issues.
Which party would you have been inclined to support? Why?