American History Honors

Review Guide: U.S. Constitution (Text, Chapter 5)

• Debates in the Continental Congress before adopting the Articles of Confederation
• State Constitutions – what was included? Not included? Included in some, not all?
• Powers granted/denied to the national government under the Articles of Confederation
• Problems with the Articles of Confederation
• Land Ordinances – Land Ordinance of 1785; Northwest Ordinance of 1787
• Shays Rebellion
• Constitutional Convention – who was there? who was not there? significance?
• Virginia Plan, New Jersey Plan, Great Compromise (know all components)
• What was included in the Constitution? Not included? (must know this document)
• Compromises made for large states vs. small states
• Commercial Compromise
• What is the importance of political compromise?
• Additional compromises reached
• Slavery debate and results – Three-Fifths Compromise, End of the Slave Trade
• Vagueness of the Constitution? Intended?
• Checks and Balances
• Electoral College**
• Powers granted to the Congress, President, and government in general
• Role of the vice president?
• Elastic Clause; Enumerated (or delegated) powers; Reserved powers
• Qualifications for office
• Remember: political parties, cabinet à all of this comes later (not included in Constitution)
• Be familiar with what was discussed in the seminar, as well as the readings provided
• Federalist papers – how did this government protect majorities and minorities?
• Arguments of Anti-Federalists?
• The Bill of Rights – why drafted?
• Know the seven Articles of the Constitution
• You are responsible for reading Chapter 5 and the U.S. Constitution as presented in the textbook, pages 154 – 167.