1.13+Constitution+Study

Articles of Confederation vs. the Constitution The following chart compares some of the provisions of the Articles of Confederation with those in the Constitution. It's important to note that most commentators see the Articles period (1781-1789) as a weak one in terms of governmental power. Whether that is a positive or negative for the United States depends on one's point of view regarding the size and influence of a national government. Libertarians would view the Articles period as the pinnacle of American freedom, while those favoring a strong central government would see it as a failure.

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 * || **Articles of Confederation** || **Constitution** ||
 * Levying taxes || Congress could request states to pay taxes || Congress has right to levy taxes on individuals ||
 * Federal courts || No system of federal courts || Court system created to deal with issues between citizens, states ||
 * Regulation of trade || No provision to regulate interstate trade || Congress has right to regulate trade between states ||
 * Executive || No executive with power. President of U.S. merely presided over Congress || Executive branch headed by President who chooses Cabinet and has checks on power of judiciary and legislature ||
 * Amending document || 13/13 needed to amend Articles || 2/3 of both houses of Congress plus 3/4 of state legislatures or national convention ||
 * Representation of states || Each state received 1 vote regardless of size || Upper house (Senate) with 2 votes; lower house (House of Representatives) based on population ||
 * Raising an army || Congress could not draft troops, dependent on states to contribute forces || Congress can raise an army to deal with military situations ||
 * Interstate commerce || No control of trade between states || Interstate commerce controlled by Congress ||
 * Disputes between states || Complicated system of arbitration || Federal court system to handle disputes ||
 * Sovereignty || Sovereignty resides in states || Constitution the supreme law of the land ||
 * Passing laws || 9/13 needed to approve legislation || 50%+1 of both houses plus signature of President ||

Define the following words:
 * 1) electors
 * 2) impeachment
 * 3) naturalization
 * 4) felonies
 * 5) bill of attainder
 * 6) ex post facto law
 * 7) suffrage
 * 8) due process of law

Answer the following questions using the [|Constitution of the United States]: Questions about Article 1 of the Constitution
 * 1) What are the requirements for becoming a member of the House of Representatives and Senate?
 * 2) What are two military powers granted to congress?

Questions about Article 2 of the Constitution
 * 1) How does the electoral college choose the president?
 * 2) What are three powers of the president?

Questions about Article 3 of the Constitution
 * 1) What are the two most important powers of the federal court?

Questions about Article 4-7 of the Constitution
 * 1) How can the Constitution be changed?
 * 2) If a state law and a federal law conflict, which law must be obeyed? Why?
 * 3) How was the Constitution ratified?

Questions about the Bill of Rights and Amendments 11-27
 * 1) What five freedoms are guaranteed in the First Amendment?
 * 2) Which amendments extend voting rights to a broader range Americans?

Summarize the process for changing the Constitution in the chart below. Then use the chart to answer the following questions.
 * Proposing Amendments || Ratifying Amendments ||
 * 1. || 1. ||
 * 2. || 2. ||
 * 1) What role can citizens play in proposing amendments?
 * 2) What do you think are the main reasons for changing the Constitution?

Explain how the "elastic clause" in Article 1 gives Congress the authority to take action on other issues unknown to the Framers of the Constitution?

Think about the president's roles described in the Constitution. What qualities does a president need to succeed as a leader in so many different areas?

How would you describe the impact of the 14th, 15th, and 16th Amendments on life in the United States?