History Chapter 5 Section 2

What rules were set-up before beginning the work of the convention?

* Each state had one vote. * Rule of Secrecy to allow delegates to speak freely. * Press and local people could not influence their talks.

The Executive Branch had the power to

*Carry out laws passed by Congress *Makes the President-the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces *President to appoint federal judges and make treaties

The Judicial Branch has the power to

*Interpret federal laws *Decide if a law is unconstitutional through the Supreme Court

Legislative Branch had 2 houses (House of Representative and Senate) and had the power to

*Make laws for country *To declare war *To remove President

What other powers is the government allowed?

*Power to make treaties *Maintain army and navy *Makes laws that are necessary and proper.

How was representation in the Great Compromise resolved?

3 branches (or parts) of government were created - legislative, executive and judicial.

What was decided about how to count a state's population?

A compromise was reached - three/fifths (3/5) of the slave population could be counted (5 slaves counted as 3 people).

Tariff

A system of duties placed on imports or exports.

What differences of opinion led to the Three Fifths Compromise?

Another issue was figuring out the population of a state and if enslaved people were to be counted.

September 17, 1787, delegates met to hear a final reading, and

Benjamin Franklin made a plea to others to sign.

How was the power divided in the framework of the government?

Between national government and state government.

One example of Checks and Balances - Congress can declare war-President can veto-

Congress can override the veto with 2/3 majority.

Virginia Plan - bicameral

Congress would have two legislative houses with larger states having more votes

Electoral College

Elected representatives are pledged to a particular team of candidates.

The President is the head of the

Executive Branch.

The government was set-up according to the principles of what?

Federalism

What is the preambles purpose?

It states the purpose of the Constitution: to establish a united country that will provide justice, security, and liberty for the American people.

What are the 3 branches of government?

Legislative-Executive-Judicial

How were the ideas of our government reached?

Many rights and ideas came from other sources - US was the first nation to write a constitution that set out principles of government.

New Jersey Plan - smaller state plan

One house with each state one vote, three branch government.

What was the most important issue in the Great Compromise?

Representation was the most important issue.

A second example of Checks and Balances - President can make a treaty with foreign nations but

Senate must approve.

What does it mean to compromise?

Settlement of differences in which both sides give up something they want.

What is the most important principle of the Constitution?

The Preamble was the most important principle in the Constitution.

A third example of Checks and Balances - Congress can pass a law-President can sign it-

The Supreme Court can rule the law unconstitutional.

What was the compromise reached for the plan for the government?

The delegates agreed to a bicameral Congress with the upper house (Senate) and lower house (House of Representatives).

Signing the Constructionist took some convincing from Benjamin Franklin, why?

The delegates met for many long hours through hot summer and not all were happy with the end results of the Constitution.

How was the President and Vice President selected?

These people were selected by the electoral college.

What did the delegates to the Constitutional Convention hope to accomplish?

They believed in creating a stronger national government.

Who elected Congress?

This group was elected by the people.

What is meant by Checks and Balances of government?

This process makes sure that each branch has powers that limit and control those of the other branches.

What was the most important power of the government?

To collect taxes - tariffs were placed on imported goods

Alexander Hamilton was a delegate who was the most forceful for

a strong national government.

Benjamin Franklin was the oldest delegate who had

common sense and wisdom.

It took a great deal of

compromise to write the Constitution.

Executive

enforce, or carry out, the laws

Judicial

evaluate laws to make sure they were fair

"We the people of the United States means

government by the people.

The Constitution is the

highest law in the land.

The US Supreme Court is the

most important federal court in the US.

House of Representatives

number of votes based on population

Legislative

passing laws

Constitution established a

powerful national government.

What is meant by separation of powers?

powers of government among the different branches

Veto means

to reject.

James Madison was a delegate who

took detailed notes, later used by historians.

Senate

two senators and two votes each state

George Washington was one of the most respected delegate who

was elected as president of the convention.

Delegates to the Constitutional Convention were leaders in their states and

were wealthy, young men who served in the Continental Congress or in the Army.