US History
Fort Burrows
Review with Answers Chapter 8
8.1
preamble - introduction to a declaration, constitution, or official document
domestic tranquility - peace and order at home (from the Preamble)
civilian - nonmilitary
general welfare - well-being of all the citizens of a nation (from the Preamble)
liberty - freedom
Articles - main body of the Constitution that establishes framework for the US government
popular sovereignty - principle of the US Constitution that states the people
have a right to create, alter, and abolish their gov’t
limited government - principle of the US Constitution that states the gov’t
has only the powers that the Constitution gives it
checks and balances - principle of the US Constitution that safeguards against abuse of power by
giving each branch of gov’t the power to check the other branches
federalism - principle of the US Constitution that establishes the division
of power between the federal gov’t and the states
pardon – the excusing of an offense without exacting a penalty
pledge – to hold by a binding promise or agreement
uniform – having always the same form, manner, or degree
prevail – triumph! to win
interpret – to explain the meaning of
agenda – a list of things to be considered or accomplished
overlap – to extend over; to have something in common
commemorate – to mark by some ceremony or observation
initiative – a procedure enabling voters to propose a law by petition and
to secure its submission to the legislature for approval
8.2
House of Representatives - largest of the two bodies that make up the legislative
branch; representation is based upon population
Senate - smallest of the two bodies that make up the legislative branch;
representation is based on equal representation; 2 for each state
bill - proposed law
electoral college - group of electors from every state that meet every four years to
elect the President and Vice President
Supreme Court - highest court in the US established by the Constitution
appeal - to ask that a court decision be reviewed by a higher court
unconstitutional - not allowed under the Constitution
veto - reject a proposed law from Congress or the Senate
override - to overrule, as when Congress overrules a Presidential veto
impeach - to bring charges of serious wrongdoing against a public official
conscription - compulsory enlistment for state service, typically into the armed forces
complex – having more than one part or complicated
infringed – interfere with or put limits on
excessive – going beyond what is necessary or normal
reserved – set aside or held separately
servitude – a condition in which one lacks liberties
8.3
First Amendment – amendment that safeguards basic individual liberties
including freedom of religion, speech, and the press
Second Amendment – amendment that relates to the right to bear arms
incriminate – to give evidence against
civil – lawsuit involving the private rights of individuals, as opposed to criminal
Civil War Amendments – 13th, 14th, & 15th Amendments abolishing slavery, guaranteed citizenship
to former slaves, and gave African American men the right to vote
Nineteenth Amendment – guarantee to US women, in 1920, the right to vote
Twenty-sixth Amendment – amendment that lowered the minimum voting age from 21 to 18
pen name – factious name used by an author
compelled - forced
subsequent – following in time, order, or place
habeas corpus – the idea that no person could be held in prison without first being charged
with a specific crime
endorse – to express support or approval of
free enterprise – freedom of private business to organize and operate for profit in a
competitive system without interference from government
contract – binding agreement between two or more people
pen name – factious name used by an author
subsequent – following in time, order, or place
pardon – the excusing of an offense without exacting a penalty
8.4
constitutional initiative - process by which citizens can petition for amendments to
their state constitution
infrastructure - system of roads, bridges, and tunnels
local government - government of the county, parish, city, town, or district level
confirm – to give approval to
connections – the political, the social, and/or the professional relationships people have
informed – knowledgeable regarding a topic
length – a degree to which something is carried out
ignorant – uneducated or unaware
avert – to avoid
revise – to change
endorse – to express support or approval of
free enterprise – freedom of private business to organize and operate for profit in a competitive
system without interference from government
contract – binding agreement between two or more people
8.5
citizen - person who owes loyalty to a particular nation and is entitled to all its rights and protections
naturalize - to complete the official process for becoming a citizen
immigrant - person who enters another country in order to settle there
resident alien - noncitizen living in the country
civic virtue - the willingness to work for the good of the nation or community even at great sacrifice
patriotism - feeling of love and devotion toward one’s country
jury duty - the responsibility of every citizen to serve on a jury when called
confederation – group created for mutual support or common action
resolve – to deal with something successfully
ordinance – a law set forth by a government authority
Matching of the Amendments
A. Amendment IB. Amendment II
C. Amendment III
D. Amendment IV
E. Amendment V / AB. Amendment VI
AC. Amendment VII
AD. Amendment VIII
AE. Amendment IX
BC. Amendment X
Amendment I – Freedoms of …
Freedom of religion
Freedom of speech
Freedom of the press
Freedom of protest peacefully
Freedom of petition
Amendment II – right to bear arms
Amendment III – quartering soldiers
Amendment IV – security from unreasonable search and seizures
Amendment V due process of law
Amendment VI – right to a free trial
Amendment VII – trial by jury
Amendment VIII – fair bail and punishments
Amendment IX – rights retained by the people
Amendment X – powers reserved to states and people
1. List the powers and lack of powers to describe the Articles of Confederation
A. did not have power to regulate trade between states
B. did not have not one person in power to execute the laws
C. did have power to pass laws with 9 of the 13 states’ approval
D. could not coin money
2. What is the process to amend the US Constitution ?
A. proposed by Congress with a 2/3 vote in both House
B. ratified by the Legislatures of 3/4 of the States
3. What is the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution ?
Freedoms of – religion, speech, press, peaceful assembly, and petition
4. Which Amendments granted civil rights primarily to African Americans ? 13th, 14th and 15th
5. Describe the unique parts of the Virginia Plan.
Wanted all congressmen to be based on population
6. Describe the unique parts of the New Jersey.
Wanted all congressmen to be awarded equally by state
7. Why was the Bill of Rights added to the U.S. Constitution ? protect individual rights
8. List the major Federalist that supported the Constitution.
Ben Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, James Madison
9. List the major Anti-Federalist that did not support the Constitution. George Mason,
10. Why didn’t the Anti-Federalist support the Constitution ?
Lacked the individual citizens’ written rights
11. What are the requirements to serve in the Executive Branch ?
1. US resident for 14 years
2. at least 35 years of age
3. natural born citizen
12. Which principle of the US Constitution states each branch of the government can limit the
power of the other two ? checks and balances
13. Describe the examples taken from the Romans when writing the US Constitution.
A. public service to citizens
B. independence for all individuals
C. devotion to the republic
14. List the Preamble goals of the United States Constitution ?
1. establish justice 2. promote general welfare
3. insure domestic tranquility 4. provide for the common defense
5. secure the blessings of liberty 6. form a more perfect
15. List the powers of Congress…
1. make the nation’s laws 2. collect taxes
3. borrow money 4. coin money
5. impeach the President 6. declare war
16. What major event happened in America as a result of and at the end of the Revolution ?
A. Farm goods dropped in value and demand,
B. Farmers revolted the increased taxes
C. an economic depression hit the new United States
17. How does the Supreme Court check the power of the Legislative Branch ?
declaring a law unconstitutional
18. What was a major concern for the Anti-Federalists regarding the Executive Branch ?
The President could become to powerful, like King George III
19. What is the term for the House of Representatives ? ______2 years
20. Describe what Article VI means when it states, “Supreme Law of the Land” ?
A. Above all other laws
B. established the power of the Federal Government
21. What is the term for a Senator ? ______6 years
22. What is required to propose an amendment to the US Constitution ?
support of two thirds of both the House and the Senate
23. List the 3 major components of the 1689, English Bill of Rights…
A. regular Parliamentary elections
B. right to bear arms
C. right of habeas corpus
24. What do the 14th, 15th, 19th, and 26th Amendments have in common ?
voting rights
25. What is the majority reason for the Amendment of the US Constitution ?
to reflect the views and believes of the majorit
List examples. 14th, 15th , 19th, 26th
26. What services do state and local governments have in common ?
provide law enforcement and education services
27. What is the main difference between the state constitution and US Constitution ?
State constitution is longer and contains more details
28. What are the 5 responsibilities of citizenship ?
1. vote 2. obey the law
3. serve on jury 4. serve the community / volunteering
5. be informed
29. Which of the grievance against England listed in the Declaration of Independence was later
addressed in the Bill of Rights ? trial by jury
30. Which principle of the Constitution states that citizens will elect representatives to carry out their will ? Republicanism
31. List the main services provided by state governments ?
1. Law enforcement
2. Supervise public education
3. Provide public health and welfare programs
4. License professionals (doctors, nurses, lawyers)
32. What are the 3 main parts to the US Constitution ? Preamble, Articles and Amendments (PAA)
33. List the powers the US Constitution gives to the Executive Branch ?
call special sessions of Congress, direct foreign policy, grant pardons
34. Why did the framers of the Constitution add the system of checks and balances ? to prevent the rise of an all-powerful leader
35. How did later amendments expand democratic rights ?
they gave more US citizens the right to vote
36. How is the State Constitutions similar to the National Constitution ?
both have three branches, a preamble, and a bill of rights
37. What makes a person a citizen of the United States ?
1. you were born in the US
2. you have been naturalized
3. you were 18 or younger when your parents were naturalized
38. How is the Judicial branch court system organized ?
District, Appellate, Supreme (DAS)
39. List the 7 Principles of American Government…
1. Popular Sovereignty 2. Limited Government
3. Separation of Powers 4. Checks and Balances
5. Federalism 6. Republicanism
7. Individual Rights
40. Judicial Branch - _____interprets______the laws
41. Legislative Branch - ____makes______the laws
42. Executive Branch - _____carries out______the laws
43. List the seven (7) Articles of the Constitution…
1. Legislative Branch
2. Executive Branch
3. Judicial Branch
4. Relations between states/system for admitting new states
5. Process to amend Constitution
6. States’ laws cannot violate Constitution
7. Procedure for states to ratify constitution
44. Name the two Presidents that have been impeached…
1.___Andrew Johnson______
2. ____Bill Clinton______
45. Name the 1st African American woman to serve in the US Congress from Texas
______Barbara Jordan______
46. How many amendments have been made to the US Constitution ? __27_____
47. How many members sit on the Supreme Court ? ____9______
48. What system is used for electing the President ? __Electoral College_____
%49. List the Constitutional Leaders that was least satisfied with the ‘writings’ of the
US Constitution in September of 1787…
George Mason, Randolph, Gerry
%50. The text stated that our Founders admired the Romans because the Romans had successfully
built a Republic.
What are the virtues of the Roman ideas that the Founding Fathers admired ?
a. public service to citizens
b. independence for all individuals
c. devotion to the republic
%51. How does the Constitution reflect the principles of check and balances ?
it states that each branch of government can limit the power of the other two
%52. Why did the Anti-Federalists fear ‘too much’ power resting with the central government ?
Executive Branch could become tyrannical in their decisions
%53. Why was Article VI, which declared that the Constitution is the Supreme Law of the Land,
so important ? It established the power of the federal government
%54. Why has the United States Constitution been amended ?
to reflect the views and believes of the majority
%55. List examples of what middle school age students should do to be good US citizens ?
a. do not bully
b. join student council
c. work hard to learn
participate in a book study in the schools’ library
%56. What was the major strength of the Articles of Confederation {AOC} ?
gave states freedom to make legal decisions
Section 2 Notes
1. What are the powers of the Legislative branch ?
Make the nation’s laws, collect taxes, borrow money, coin money, and declare war and other things