Download STUDY GUIDE: THE CONSTITUTION of THE UNITED STATES OF

STUDY GUIDE: The CONSTITUTION of the UNITED STATES of AMERICA
The Declaration of Independence: pgs 106, & 109-112
1. Who wrote it? When? Why? Which philosopher was an inspiration for the ideas in it? What
ideas were these?
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2. What were the four “self-evident truths” that were described?
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3. What are the three “unalienable rights” mentioned?
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QUICK REVOLUTIONARY WAR TIMELINE: pgs 106-126
1776:
- Convention in Philadelphia where colonists sign the Declaration of Independence- written by Thomas
Jefferson of _____________.
- Pamphlet called “__________ _______” by Thomas Paine is published and rallies support for the
Revolution.
- Washington is chased into New Jersey as British occupy ____ _____.
- Washington’s surprise attack at _________ boosts American confidence.
1777:
- British (under general ___________) surrender at battle of ___________.
- Washington and troops spend brutal winter at ________ _______.
- Articles of Confederation written to unite states in a weak union.
1778:
- Foreign help boosts American power
o Drillmaster __________ ____________ of Prussia trains the Continental army
o Ben Franklin negotiates an important alliance with _________.
o ___________ ___ ___________ leads this foreign help.
1780:
- American hero __________ _________ revealed to be a loyalist traitor.
The Articles of Confederation: pgs 132-137
4. As the Revolution drew to a close, Americans worked to form the foundations of a
Republic. What is a republic?
5. What were the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?
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6. Why would some Americans have thought that the “weaknesses” of the Articles of
Confederation were actually good?
TIMELINE CONTINUES pages 130-146
1781:
- Articles of Confederation are ratified.
- After a month-long siege at ____________, British General ___________ surrenders to George
Washington
- States adjust to peacetime and new experience with their state constitutions.
1783:
- Official peace treaty ending the war is signed, called the ________ of ________.
1787:
- Constutional Convention opens in ________________, producing a Constitution for the new country
- ________ _________, ___________ __________, & ______ _____ publish the Federalist Papers
defending the Constitution.
Conflicts and Compromises at the Constitutional Convention: pgs 140-149
7. Where did the delegates of the Constitutional Convention meet? (as always…)
8. Which key player of the American Revolutionary Era was NOT at the Constitutional
Convention?
9. Describe the difference between the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan.
10. Explain how the “Great Compromise” solved the tension about representation between big
states and small states.
11. What was the Three-Fifths compromise?
12. What is the Division of Powers? What’s another name for it? Who holds powers not
specifically granted to the Federal government?
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13. What is the Separation of Powers?
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14. Fill in the diagram to describe the checks and balances between the 3 branches of
the Federal System. In the circles, name the 3 branches of government. In the empty
arrows, list the checks that flow from one branch of government to another
LEGISLATIVE
BRANCH
JUDICIAL
BRANCH
EXECUTIVE
BRANCH
15. Which three men wrote the Federalist Papers?
16. What was the main difference of opinion between the Federalists and the Antifederalists?
17. What was the Bill of Rights and how did it ensure ratification of the Constitution?
The Constitution: pgs 152-173
The Preamble pg 154
18. In your own words, why are these gentlemen writing this document?
Article 1: The Legislature (the Congress) pgs 154-160
19. The legislature _______ the laws.
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20. What are the 2 houses of Congress?
How often are members elected? 
What are the qualifications? 
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How many members per state? 
Who is the presiding officer? 
What are their special duties? 
21. What’s the difference between a bill and a law?
22. What is a veto?
23. Describe in brief terms, the steps that a bill must go through to become a law;
24. Explain the significance of the following terms from Sections 8 and 9 of the
Constitution as they relate to Congress:
The Elastic Clause:
Declaration of War:
Habeas Corpus:
Ex Post Facto law:
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Article 2: The Executive (the Presidency) pgs 160-162
25. The Executive _______ the laws.
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26. What is the official title of person
in charge of the executive branch?
How often is this person elected? 
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What are the qualifications for holding
this office?
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Who takes over if this person dies
or is removed from office?
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What are the specific powers held
by this person?
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What other duties are mentioned for
this person?
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27. What is the name for the chief group of advisors to the Chief Execitive?
28. What is the Electoral College? How is the number of electors for each state
determined?
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29. What is impeachment? What types of crimes can a president be convicted of that
would result in his removal from office?
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Article 3: The Judiciary (the Courts) pg 162-163
30. The Judiciary ________ the laws
31. What court is specifically created in the text of the Constitution?
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32. How many judges sit on the Supreme Court?
33. What crime is specifically mentioned in Article 3? What does it mean?
34. What is judicial review and why is it so important?
Article 4: Relations Among States pg 164
35. What sort of “full faith and credit” is being talked about in Article 4, section 1?
36. Can a person escape criminal charges by fleeing to another state? What section
explains this?
37. What body of government can admit new states to the Union?
38. What guarantees does Section 4 make to the States?
TIMELINE CONTINUES (in-class)
1788:
- U.S. Constitution ratified.
- Elections for the first __________ and the first ______________ are held.
1789:
- First Congress under the Constitution meets in ___________.
- ____________________ inaugurated as first President of the U.S.A.
1791:
- First 10 amendments to the Constitution (the _____ of _______) are adopted.
Article 5: Amending the Constitution pg 164
39. What does it mean “to amend?”
40. What is the process for amending the Constitution?
Article 6: Supremacy of the National Government pg 165
41. In your own words, explain what is being said about the Constitution in section 2 of
Article 6?
Article 7: Ratification pg 165
42. What does it mean “to ratify?”
43. How many states were required to ratify the Constitution in order to establish it as the
law of the land?
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Bill of Rights: Amendments 1-10 pgs 166-167
44. Whose rights does The Bill of Rights protect? How does it protect these rights?
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45. For each amendment, come up with a brief summary of the amendment that clearly
states what rights it establishes.
Amendment 1
Amendment 6
Amendment 2
Amendment 7
Amendment 3
Amendment 8
Amendment 4
Amendment 9
Amendment 5
Amendment 10
Amendments 11-27 pgs 168-173
46. As we progress through U.S. History, we will witness the addition of many other
amendments to the constitution. Look through amendments 11 through 27 and identify
which amendment protected the right described and what year it was passed.
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the abolition of slavery
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the right to vote regardless of race or color
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the prohibition of the sale and manufacture of alcohol
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the repeal of that prohibition
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the granting of the right to vote to women
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QUICK CHECK:
Who is the current…
 President of the United States?
 United States Senators from the
State of Illinois?
 Vice-President of the United States?
 Chief Justice of the Supreme Court?
 Speaker of the House of
 United States Representative to the
House of Representatives from your
Congressional District?
 Governor of the State of Illinois?
Representatives?
Flag Code: http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/flagcode.htm
or
http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/html/uscode04/usc_sec_04_00000007----000-.html
47. How many stars are currently displayed on the U.S. flag?
48. How many stripes are currently displayed on the U.S. flag?
Red:
White:
What do they symbolize?
49. In order to indicate mourning, how should the United States flag be displayed?
50. When a flag has become old and tattered, what is the preferred manner of getting rid of it?
51. When shown along with state flags, city flags, and others, what is the proper place of the
U.S. flag?
52. Give one example of “disrespectful” flag treatment.
The Constitution of the State of Illinois: (in class)
53. What are the 3 branches of the Illinois state government? What are their specific names in
Illinois government?
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55. What important differences are there between the federal and State of Illinois versions of
these branches?
54. Where is the seat of the State government of the State of Illinois?
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