Aim: Review for the Test on the Constitution

Bring a #2 pencil and a penEssay Topic: Compromises

Extra Credit: CastlelearningReceive an 80 or better and

earn 5 points on the test.

Mayflower Compact Agreement signed by the Pilgrims

before landing at Plymouth. Contract in which the colonists

consented to be governed by a government that they created- self government.

Common Sense Pamphlet written by Thomas Paine He wrote that it is ridiculous for the

American colonies occupying a great continent, to be ruled by a tiny island like Britain.

Declaration of Independence Written by Thomas Jefferson Purpose: Justify the reasons the colonies

had decided to become the U.S.A. Key Ideas: People have natural rights Governments receive their power to

govern from “the consent of the governed.”

When government fails to protect those rights, people have the right to alter or abolish it.

John Locke Social Contract. Right to life, liberty and property. Right to revolution. Ideas contained in the Declaration

of Independence.

Articles of Confederation Weak central government. States

had all the power. States coined their own money States made foreign treaties. No Federal military. States did not have to pay taxes to

the Federal government.

Great Compromise Problem: Large states wanted

representation based on population. Small states wanted equal representation.

Solution: Bicameral Legislature- Congress.

Senate- equal representation. House of Representatives based on

population.

Federalist Papers A series of persuasive essays in

favor of ratification of the Constitution.

Written by: Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison.

Federalist/ Anti- Federalist Federalist- supporter of ratification Anti-Federalist- Against ratification Bill of Rights was added to the

Constitution to get the Anti-Federalists to ratify the Constitution.

Judicial Review Power of the Supreme Court to

declare a law unconstitutional. Example of the “unwritten

Constitution.” Result of Marbury v. Madison.

Checks and Balances Based on ideas of Montesquieu. Prevents one branch of

government from becoming more powerful than the others.

Example- A bill becoming a law.

Preamble Introduction to the Constitution. States the purpose of government

and their responsibilities to the citizens.

Federalism The division of power between

state and federal government. Delegated- Federal government

(military) Reserved- state government

(licenses) Concurrent- both (taxes)

Separation of Powers Based on ideas of Montesquieu. Divides Federal government into

three branches: Executive- enforce laws Legislative- make laws Judicial- interpret laws

Republic Form of government from Ancient

Rome. Citizens elect people to represent

them.

Amending Process Formally changing the

Constitution. Congress approves by 2/3rd vote. ¾ of the states must ratify the

amendment.

Electoral College As assembly elected by the voters

that meets every four years to formally elect the President.

Winners of the popular vote have lost the presidency because they failed to win a majority of the electoral vote.

Bill of Rights First ten amendments to the

Constitution. Deal with Civil Liberties.

Elastic Clause States that Congress can make all

laws “necessary and proper” for carrying out the tasks listed in the Constitution.

Stretches the powers of Congress.