C5S1-2 Studyguide
C5S1-2 Studyguide
C5S1-2 Studyguide
Civics
Name ___________________________________
CREATING THE CONSTITUTION (CHAPTER 5 – SECTIONS 1&2 ONLY)
Study Guide
Important Vocabulary
1. Amendments - changes or additions to the Constitution
2. Bicameral - a two house legislature
3. Federalism - the idea that power is divided between the state and the federal governments
4. Posterity – future generations
5. Tranquility – peaceful or restful
Plans of Government
The Virginia Plan:
Was proposed by James Madison of Virginia, the big states loved the plan
Called for a strong 3 branch central government
Called for a bicameral (or two house) legislature
It said that representation in both houses of the Congress should be based on population -
another words the more people in a state the more representatives that state would have in
the Congress
3/5's Compromise:
Was proposed by James Wilson
It said that for purposes of the census slaves would count as 3/5's of a person
It made the southern, slave states, happy because it meant that they got more
representation in Congress
It made the northern states 'happy' because slaves were at least counted as people
It said that after 1808 the Atlantic Slave Trade would end
Chapter 5: Creating the Constitution
Civics
Name ___________________________________
Electoral College:
Was proposed by Roger Sherman and Elbridge Gerry
Setup the way that the President would be elected
It said instead of the citizens electing the president directly the state legislatures would
select people, or electors, who would listen to the citizens and they (the electors) would
cast the vote for the president
This is the same process that still exists today
Slave Trade:
Would not be addressed again until 1808
Delegates feared northern delegates would walk out of the convention if slavery was
ended
The Anti-Federalists did not support the Constitution; they wanted the states to have more
power
They felt a strong national government would:
1. Endanger the liberties of the people of the country
2. Would swallow up the state governments leaving them with even less power
3. Not guarantee the rights of the people since there was no Bill of Rights in the
Constitution
The Preamble
It’s the introduction to the Constitution, which states the goals of the document and the
nation
You need to memorize the Preamble:
“We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish
Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general
Chapter 5: Creating the Constitution
Civics
Name ___________________________________
Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and
establish this Constitution for the United States of America”