Constitution Quick Facts

THE CONSTITUTION

1. The Constitutional Convention met in 1787 with the job of correcting the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and forming a federal government and setting basic laws for the US.

2. The “Great Compromise” set up a bicameral legislature. The Senate would have 2 representatives from each state. The House of Representatives would be based on the population of each state. This gave the smaller states protection against the larger ones.

3. The Three-Fifths Compromise said that for every 5 slaves in a states population, they would be counted as 3 citizens (even though they had no rights). This gave the South more representation in the House of Representatives.

4. Federalism allows for different levels within government. This can be on a state or national level/

5. Those who favored the Constitution were called “Federalists”. Those who were against it were know as “Anti-Federalists.”

6. The Federalist Papers were essays in favor of the constitution and helped get it passed.

7. The Constitution is based on the ideal of “popular sovereignty” where the power of the government comes from the people.

8. The power of the government is limited by law for both the state and federal governments.

9. Separation of Power divides the federal government in three branches; executive, legislative and judicial. Each parts powers are derived from the Constitution.

10. Checks and balances give each branch of the government control over the other branches and curbs excessive power.

11. The “Elastic Clause” states that Congress can pass laws that allow the principles of the Constitution to be carried out.

12. Amendments are changes to the Constitution and required passage by Congress and ¾ of the states.

13. Delegated Powers are powers given only to the federal government (declaring war).

14. Implied Powers are powers not written in the Constitution but needed to carry out federal powers (Elastic Clause).

15. Denied Powers are those powers specifically not given to either the national government, state governments of both.

16. Concurrent Powers are shared by both the federal and state governments (right to tax).

17. Reserved Powers belong only to the states (divorce laws).

18. Executive branch includes the President and Vice-President. The President is commander in chief and controls the armed forces. He signs or vetoes laws and he recommends new laws to Congress.

19. The Legislative Branch includes the Senate (2 members from each state) and the House of Representatives (based on state populations).

20. The Judicial Branch includes all the different level of courts with the Supreme Court being the ultimate interpreter of a laws constitutionality.

21. The amendment process was added to allow the Constitution to meet changing times and needs.

22. The first ten amendments to the Constitution are the Bill of Rights which give guaranteed basic freedoms (speech, the press, religion, etc.).

23. The “Unwritten Constitution” is best defined as practices of the government that are based on custom and tradition.

24. Ours is a republican form of government in which representatives are elected by the people.

25. The Electoral College was set up to stop direct election of a president. Each state has a certain number of members passed on their population as taken by the census.

26. “Lobbyists” are registered people who try to convince representatives to vote for laws in their interest. They sometimes have too much power.