4 The Constitution and the Founding Debates Free Online FlashCards

What was the Articles of Confederation?

The Articles, adopted in 1777 and effective from 1781, formed the United States’ first national government.

How did Federalists and Anti-Federalists differ?

The Federalists supported a stronger national government; Anti-Federalists opposed it or sought substantial changes before accepting the Constitution.

What arrangement did the Great Compromise create?

The Great Compromise based House representation on population while giving every state equal representation in the Senate.

What are the roles of the three branches?

Congress makes laws, the president executes them, and the federal courts interpret them.

What effect did the three-fifths compromise have on representation?

Enslaved people were counted as three-fifths of a person for representation and certain direct taxes, increasing slaveholding states’ political power.

What ratification threshold did the Constitution establish?

Approval by special conventions in nine states would establish the government among the states that ratified the Constitution.

What did the Bill of Rights provide?

Ten amendments ratified on December 15, 1791, became the Bill of Rights, protecting liberties and establishing safeguards in criminal proceedings.

How were states represented in Congress under the Articles?

Each state had one vote in Congress, regardless of its population.

Name two key powers Congress lacked under the Articles.

Congress could not directly tax people or regulate interstate commerce, so it depended on states for funds and implementation.

What approval did the Articles require for amendments?

Every state had to approve a change, making reform difficult.

What is the purpose of checks and balances?

Checks and balances give each branch ways to limit the powers of the other branches.

What does federalism divide?

Federalism divides governing powers between the national government and the states.