Guided  Reading  Questions  HA!  Chapter  8  Creating  the  Constitution    8.1  Introduction    

1. Why  were  members  of  the  Second  Continental  Congress  nervous  about  creating  a  strong  central  government?  

   

2. What  was  the  first  plan  of  government  for  the  United  States  of  America?      

3. What  powers  did  the  Articles  of  Confederation  give  Congress?      

4. What  was  the  biggest  problem  with  the  Articles  of  Confederation?      8.2  Early  Quarrels  and  Accomplishments    

5. What  were  two  major  issues  that  states  were  arguing  about?          

6. What  law  was  designed  to  provide  a  plan  for  dividing  and  settling  “western”  lands?      

7. What  law  was  designed  to  establish  a  plan  for  governing  these  new  “western”  lands?      8.3  Shays’s  Rebellion  and  the  Need  for  Change    

8. Why  did  the  early  US  government  suffer  from  financial  problems?      

9. How  did  state  governments  expect  poor  farmers  to  pay  off  their  debts?    What  problem  would  this  create  for  those  farmers?  

   

10. What  actions  did  Daniel  Shays  and  his  follower  take  to  defend  the  poor  farmers  of  Massachusetts?    

   

11.  Why  was  Congress  powerless  to  stop  Shays’s  Rebellion?    What  does  this  teach  us  about  the  early  US  government  under  the  Articles  of  Confederation?  

   

12. How  did  Congress  respond  to  the  weakness  exposed  by  Shays’s  Rebellion?        

8.4  Opening  the  Constitutional  Convention    

13.    Who  was  elected  as  President  of  the  Constitutional  Convention?      

14.    Why  were  some  important  founding  fathers  absent  from  the  Constitutional  Convention?      

15.  How  have  modern  historians  described  the  delegates  to  the  Constitutional  Convention?      

16. What  founding  father  was  known  as  the  “Father  of  the  Constitution?”    Why?      

17. On  what  issues  did  the  delegates  largely  agree?    

 18. What  were  some  issues  that  the  delegates  had  to  resolve?  

   8.5    Issue:  How  should  States  be  Represented  in  the  New  Government?    

19. What  was  the  Virginia  Plan?    Who  favored  it?      

20. What  was  the  New  Jersey  Plan?    Who  favored  it?      8.6  Resolution:  The  Great  Compromise    

21. How  did  the  delegates  merge  the  Virginia  and  New  Jersey  Plans  in  the  Great  Compromise?      8.7  Issue:  How  Should  Slaves  be  Counted?    

22. How  did  Southern  delegates  want  slaves  counted  for  population/representation?      

23. How  did  Northern  delegates  respond  to  those  Southern  delegates?      8.8    Resolution:  The  Three-­‐Fifths  Compromise    

24. How  was  did  the  Constitutional  Convention  “settle”  the  argument  on  slave  representation?              

8.9    Issue:    How  Should  the  Chief  Executive  Be  Elected?    

25. Why  were  delegates  nervous  about  the  idea  of  a  single  chief  executive?    

26. What  was  Gouverneur  Morris’s  reasoning  against  having  a  president  chosen  by  Congress?      8.10  Resolution:  The  Electoral  College    

27. How  is  the  President  elected  under  our  Constitution?    

 28. How  many  electors  does  each  State  get?  

   

29. How  are  electors  chosen?      

30. How  was  the  Vice  President  chosen?    Why  was  this  problematic?      8.11    The  Convention  Ends    

31. How  many  States  were  required  to  ratify  the  Constitution-­‐  making  it  the  law  of  the  land?      

32. What  did  Benjamin  Franklin  think  about  the  Constitution?      

33. Why  were  some  founding  fathers  reluctant  to  approve  the  Constitution?      8.12    The  Constitution  Goes  to  the  Nation    

34. What  does  it  mean  to  have  a  “federal”  system  of  government?      

35. What  group  of  founding  fathers  supported  the  ratification  of  the  Constitution?      

36. Who  were  some  important  Federalists?      

37. What  were  3  major  complaints  from  Anti-­‐Federalists?      

Guided  Reading  Questions  HA!  Chapter  9    The  Constitution:  A  More  Perfect  Union    9.1  Introduction    

1. What  balance  did  the  framers  of  the  Constitution  hope  to  strike  with  the  new  government?      

2. What  do  we  call  the  7  parts  of  the  Constitution?      

3. Why  do  we  refer  to  the  Constitution  as  a  “living  document?”      9.2  The  Preamble  Tells  the  Goals  of  Government    

4. What  is  popular  sovereignty?          

5. What  are  the  6  goals  of  the  Constitution?      9.3  The  Legislative  Branch  Makes  Laws    

6. Which  part  of  the  Constitution  details  the  powers  and  responsibilities  of  the  Legislative  Branch?  

   

7. What  is  the  main  power  of  the  Legislative  Branch?        

8. What  does  “bicameral”  mean?        

9.  How  long  are  the  elected  terms  of  office  for  Senators  and  Representatives?      

10. How  many  Senators  does  each  State  have?      

11. How  many  total  members  of  the  House  of  Representative  are  there?      

12. What  are  the  citizenship  and  minimum  age  requirements  to  serve  in  the  House  of  Representatives  and  the  Senate?  

   

13. How  are  Senators  elected  today?    

14. Which  of  the  two  houses  of  Congress  is  more  exclusive?    

15. What  percent  of  Congress  is  required  to  pass  a  law  with  the  President’s  approval?    

16. What  percent  of  Congress  is  required  to  pass  a  law  over  a  President’s  veto?    

17. Besides  writing  laws,  what  are  some  other  important  powers  of  Congress?        

18. What  is  the  “elastic  clause?”          9.4  The  Executive  Branch  Carries  out  the  Laws    

19.    What  is  the  term  we  use  to  refer  to  the  Chief  Executive  of  the  United  States?      

20.    What  are  the  citizenship  and  age  requirements  to  be  elected  President?    

21. How  long  is  the  elected  term  of  office  for  the  president?    

22. What  is  the  maximum  number  of  terms  the  President  can  serve?      

23.  What  is  the  primary  job  of  the  Executive  Branch?      

24. What  are  some  additional  powers  of  the  President?      

25. What  do  we  call  the  President’s  official  group  of  advisors?    

 26. Identify  three  executive  departments  of  the  federal  government.  

   

27. How  and  for  what  reasons  can  the  President  be  removed  from  office?    

 9.5    The  Judicial  Branch  Interprets  the  Laws    

28. What  is  the  primary  job  of  the  Judicial  Branch?    

29. What  is  the  highest  court  in  the  United  States?      

30. What  are  the  other  two  federal  court  systems?  

 31. How  long  is  the  term  of  service  for  a  Supreme  Court  Justice?  

 32. How  many  Supreme  Court  Justices  do  we  currently  have?  

 33.  What  is  the  power  of  “Judicial  Review?”  

   9.6  Checks  and  Balances  Between  the  Branches    

34. Why  do  we  have  a  system  of  Checks  and  Balances  built  in  to  our  Constitution?    

35. Identify  at  least  one  check  and/or  balance  each  branch  has  over  the  other  two.        9.7  The  Amendment  Process  Changes  the  Constitution    

36. What  fraction  of  Congress  or  States  is  required  to  propose  a  constitutional  amendment?      

37. What  fraction  of  Congress  or  States  is  required  to  ratify  a  constitutional  amendment?    

 38. How  many  Amendments  have  been  made  to  the  Constitution?  

     9.8    The  Federal  System  Connects  the  Nation  and  the  States    

39. What  delegated  powers  are  given  to  the  Federal  Government?      

40. What  reserved  powers  are  kept  by  the  States?      

41. What  powers  are  shared  by  both  the  Federal  Government  and  State  governments?      9.9    Popular  Participation  in  Government    

42. What  is  the  number  one  way  the  people  participate  in  our  government?          

Guided  Reading  Questions  HA!  Chapter  10    The  Bill  of  Rights    10.1  Introduction    

1. How  many  states  did  ratification  of  the  Constitution  require?      

2. Why  was  Massachusetts  reluctant  to  ratify  the  Constitution?      

3. What  was  the  Federalists’  strategy  in  persuading  the  colonies  to  ratify  the  Constitution?      10.2  Creating  the  Bill  of  Rights    

4. Who  led  the  way  in  working  on  the  Bill  of  Rights?      

5. What  were  Thomas  Jefferson’s  thoughts  on  the  importance  of  a  Bill  of  Rights?        

6. How  many  Amendments  to  the  Constitution  were  approved  for  the  Bill  of  Rights?      

7. What  fraction  of  States  are  needed  to  ratify  an  Amendment  to  the  Constitution?      10.3  First  Amendment  Rights    

8. Identify  the  5  protections  guaranteed  by  the  First  Amendment.  R  A  P  P  S  

 10.4  Citizen  Protections    

9. What  protection  is  guaranteed  by  the  Second  Amendment?      

10. What  protection  is  guaranteed  by  the  Third  Amendment?      

11. What  protection  is  guaranteed  by  the  Fourth  Amendment?  

 10.5  Legal  Rights  and  Protections    

12. Identify  the  5  protections  guaranteed  by  the  Fifth  Amendment.  The  right  to  a  Grand  _____________________________________________  Protection  from  Double__________________________________________  Protection  from  Self-­‐_____________________________________________  Protection  from  Deprivation  of  life,  liberty,  or  property  without_____________________________  (Eminent  Domain)    The  Government  cannot  take  your  property  without  __________________  

   

13. In  the  Sixth  Amendment,  what  kind  of  cases  are  guaranteed  impartial,  speedy,  public  jury  trial?      

14. What  kind  of  cases  are  protected  by  the  Seventh  Amendment?      

15. What  type  of  disputes  are  settled  in  Civil  Trials?      

16. What  protections  are  guaranteed  by  the  Eighth  Amendment?      10.6  Other  Rights  and  Powers    

17. According  to  the  Ninth  Amendment,  judgments  about  liberties  not  covered  in  the  Constitution  should  err  on  the  side  of  whom?  

   

18. According  to  the  Tenth  Amendment,  any  powers  not  explicitly  given  to  the  Federal  Government  should  be  reserved  for  whom?  

         

Constitution  Card  Questions  from  History  Alive!    1 What is the length of a term of office for members of the U.S. House of Representatives?

16 How many members of the Supreme Court are there?

2 How old must a person be to be elected to the U.S. House of Representatives? To the Senate?

17 What can the legislative branch do if the president vetoes a bill?  

3 Who has the power to propose a law to raise revenue (a tax law)?

18 Who has the power to review all laws and treaties of the United States?

4 What is the length of a term of office for members of the United States Senate?

19 Who must approve all judges, cabinet members, and ambassadors that the president appoints to government positions?  

5 Who has the power to declare war? 20 Who must approve any treaties that are made with foreign countries?

6 How many members of the Senate and House are there? How many members of Congress?

21 Who has the power to veto laws?  

7 What is the length of a term of office for the president of the United States?

22 What branch of government can check the power of the judiciary by exercising the power of impeachment?

8 How old must one be to hold the office of president of the United States?

23 Who has the power to propose amendments to the Constitution of the United States?  

9 Who has the power to make treaties with foreign countries?

24 Who approves amendments to the Constitution?  

10 Who has the power to nominate ambassadors, public ministers, or other officers of the United States, such as members of the cabinet?

25 How many amendments have been made to the Constitution?  

11 Who is the commander in chief of the U.S. military forces?

26 Which amendment gave women the right to vote?  

12 Who has the sole power to try (bring to trial) all impeachments?

27 Who has the power to print and coin money?  

13 What is the length of the term of office for justices of the United States Supreme Court?

28 What is the “supreme law of the land” and how does it affect what states can do?

14 Who has the power to resolve issues involving national laws or laws of the United States?

29 Why do states need to be concerned about laws passed in other states?

15 Who has the power to settle disputes between different states?

30 Who decides when the Electoral College casts its vote for president?  

         

 

 

       

   

     

         

     

   

     

             

     

Study  Guide  for  the  Constitutional  Convention    

1.  Identify  3  problems  with  the  Articles  of  Confederation.  

2.  How  were  disputes  over  dividing  western  lands  settled?  

3.  What  is  the  historical  significance  of  Shays’  Rebellion?  

4.  Who  was  chosen  as  the  president  of  the  Constitutional  Convention?  

5.  Who  is  considered  the  “Father  of  the  Constitution?”  

6.    The  Great  Compromise  attempted  to  resolve  representation  disputes  between  what  two  groups?  

7.    What  did  the  NJ  and  VA  Plans  agree  on?  

8.    What  European  philosopher  believed  power  could  be  limited  by  splitting  government?  

9.  How  did  Baron  De  Montesquieu  recommend  limiting  government  power?  

10.    How  did  the  Constitutional  Convention  decide  to  count  slaves  toward  the  total  population?  

11.    How  many  states  were  required  to  ratify  the  Constitution?  

12.    What  second  concession  did  free  states  make  to  satisfy  slave  states?  

13.    What  do  we  call  supporters  of  the  Constitution?  

14.  What  do  we  call  people  who  did  not  support  ratifying  the  Constitution?  

15.    What  system  is  in  place  to  keep  one  branch  of  government  from  getting  too  powerful?  

16.    What  European  philosopher  identified  the  natural  rights  of  man  as  life,  liberty,  and  property?  

17.    Under  the  Articles  of  Confederation,  what  piece  of  legislation  provided  a  plan  of  self-­‐government  

for  territories  west  of  the  Appalachian  Mountains?  

18.    What  group  is  responsible  for  selecting  the  President  of  the  United  States?  

 

     

   

 

 

     

     

     

     

 

     

     

       

       

       

         

             

               

             

     

Constitutional  Dilemmas  from  History  Alive!    1   Your  client  wants  to  become  president  of  the  United  States  in  2016.  He  is  now  34,  and  his  

birthday  is  on  January  16.  Can  he  serve?    

2   The  Senate  and  the  House  of  Representatives  have  passed  a  bill  requiring  all  teenagers,  including  females,  to  shave  their  heads.    Who  can  stop  this  law  from  taking  effect?    

3   A  certain  congressman  is  tired  of  living  in  Washington,  D.C.    He  wants  to  move  back  to  his  home  state  and  run  his  ranch  full-­‐time.    He  proposes  that  Congress  not  meet  at  all  this  year.  Is  his  proposal  constitutional?    

4   You  have  a  neighbor  who  was  born  and  raised  in  Austria.  She  moved  to  the  United  States  five  years  ago.  She  loves  politics  and  wants  to  hold  any  office—president,  senator,  member  of  the  House  of  representatives—  she  doesn’t  care  which.  Can  she?    

5   The  Senate’s  100  members  cannot  agree  on  a  law  that  forces  all  fast-­‐food  restaurants  to  sell  veggie  burgers  only.  They  are  split  right  down  the  middle:  50  are  in  favor,  and  50  are  against.  Who  can  break  the  tie?    

6   A  blizzard  strikes  the  nation’s  capital.  Only  200  of  the  435  members  of  the  House  of  Representatives  show  up  for  that  day’s  session.  Can  they  pass  bills?    

7   A  member  of  Congress  is  asked  by  the  president  to  become  secretary  of  defense.  Her  comment  is  “Cool.  Now  I  can  be  both  a  congresswoman  and  cabinet  member.  I’ll  have  so  much  power  and  make  a  ton  of  money.”  Can  she  hold  both  positions  simultaneously?    

8   The  president  gets  mad  at  Illinois  and  decides  to  declare  war  on  the  state.  Who  can  stop  him  from  completing  such  a  strange  and  unconstitutional  act?    

9   It  has  been  revealed  that  the  president  has  been  stealing  money  from  the  treasury.  He  now  owns  Madagascar.  That’s  right.  He  purchased  Madagascar  with  stolen  money.  Under  the  Constitution,  what  actions  should  be  taken  against  him?    

10   Your  client  is  having  trouble  with  his  mail  service.  Who  is  the  best  person  to  call:  his  congresswoman,  the  president,  or  the  chief  justice  of  the  Supreme  Court?    

11   In  a  Senate  vote,  52  senators  vote  in  favor  of  a  treaty  with  Belarus,  while  48  vote  against.  Is  the  treaty  approved?    

12   The  people  of  the  states  of  Colorado,  Wyoming,  and  Montana  vote  to  become  one  gigantic,  beautiful  state.  Whose  approval  do  they  need?    

     

Identify  the  27  Amendments  to  the  Constitution