Review: The Constitution
Articles 1 – 3
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION
1. The Great Compromise settled what important issue? Representation  How the states will be represented in the Legislature
Created a Two House Legislature – Bi-Cameral – House of Representatives and the US Senate
2.
The 3/5 Compromise settled what important issue? Representation – Will slaves count in the population count?
3. Identify the 3 branches of Government.
Legislative – Congress (makes the laws), Executive – President (enforces the laws), Judicial- Supreme Court (Interprets the laws)
PREAMBLE
4. What is the purpose of the Preamble to the US Constitution?
To outline and identify the goals of the new government
ARTICLE 1
5. Representation in the Senate is based on what? Equal representation from each state – 2 per state
6.
7.
Representation in the House of Representatives is based on what? The state’s population. This is taken by the census every 10
years.
How long does a Senator and Representative serve? Senator – 6 year terms……… Representative – 2 year terms
ARTICLE 2
8. What are the Presidents close advisors called? – Cabinet members – Example – Secretary of State
9.
Can a President serve for four terms? Explain. Under the original Constitution – Yes – Unlimited. As of 1951 – the 22nd
Amendment states that the President can only be elected to TWO terms or serve a total of 10 years.
10. Who officially elects the President? Why? Criticism? The Electoral College elects the President. This is because the writers of
the Constitution did not trust the people. It is criticized because the candidate who receives the most votes MAY NOT become
President. Also, in the case where no candidate receives the Electoral Majority, the House of Representatives will select the
President. This is not the will of the people!
ARTICLE 3
11. What is the primary job of the Supreme Court? To interpret the laws.
12. How many justices are on the Supreme Court? 9
13. Who has the power to nominate members to the Supreme Court? The President How are they confirmed? By the Senate
14. How can you overturned a Supreme Court ruling? ONLY WAY = Passing an Amendment to the Constitution
15. How did the Constitution correct the Articles of Confederation? Gave power to (strengthen) the Federal Government. Gave
Congress the power to collect taxes. Created an official US Currency.
16. What was the purpose of the Constitutional Convention? To revise the Articles of Confederation
17. Ratification of the U.S. Constitution
 Federalists vs. Anti – Federalists
 Federalists wanted a strong Federal Government. Favored ratification without the Bill of Rights
 Anti-Federalists would not ratify the Constitution without adding the Bill of Rights
 Federalist Papers – Purpose? To argue for ratification of the Constitution without the Bill of Rights
18. Bill of Rights
 Purpose?? To protect the citizens from the abuses of the Government
19. What MUST happen for a Bill to become a law? It must be passed by both Houses of Congress.
20. Due Process of Law The Government cannot take away your rights without a fair trial. Amendment 5
21. Constitutional power of regulating commerce allows the Federal Government to control what specifically? Interstate
trade
22. What is a republic? Citizens elected citizens to represent them in the government. VOTING power is most important!
23. What is the purpose of checks and balances? To prevent one branch or individual from becoming too powerful
24. Under the original Constitution, which body is directly elected by the people? House of Representatives
25. Impeachment Trial – who has what role?
 House of Representatives – brings charges against the President
 Senate – Serves as the jury
 Supreme Court – all Justices are present as the Judges of the trial
Checks and Balances
Power
This branch will approve the appointment of John Roberts to the
Supreme Court.
This branch will declare the Assault Weapons Law unconstitutional.
Legislative
X
This branch will vote to declare war on Iraq.
Executive
Judicial
X
X
This branch will serve as the Commander in Chief of the armed forces
stationed in Afghanistan.
This branch nominated Mrs. Clinton to the Cabinet.
X
X
This branch will hear a case of New Jersey suing New York over the
rights to Ellis Island.
This branch will nominate three new justices to the Supreme Court
next year.
This branch will approve a law that will make smoking in public places
X
illegal.
This branch will negotiate a treaty between the United States and
Canada concerning tightening U.S. borders.
Federalism – Division of powers between the Federal and State Governments
X
X
X

Delegated – powers given to the FEDERAL GOVERNMENT Ex – Interstate Commerce, Declare War

Reserved – powers given to the STATE GOVERNMENT Ex – Intrastate Commerce, License Professionals

Concurrent – powers SHARED by the Federal and State Governments Ex – Collect Taxes, Courts, Build Highways
and Roads
Federalism
Issue
Your sister has been studying accounting. She will soon take an exam to
qualify for certification as a public accountant.
Two of your neighbors are planning to start a company that will offer
automobile repair services.
One of your brothers is enlisting in the Navy and the other brother has already
joined the Marines.
You purchase a religious statue from Italy. Who controls the tariff on the
statue?
Your doctor came to this country from India. She wants to stay in the United
States and is now attempting to become a citizen.
In April, many people in your neighborhood are beginning to prepare their
income tax forms.
Your aunt is about to be married. She and her fiancé need to get a marriage
license before the
A company in Virginia purchases materials from your business in West Islip,
NY. Who controls the tax rate?
A flu epidemic is expected to sweep the country. According to the newspaper,
measures are being taken to combat it.
Delegated
Reserved
X
Concurrent
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X