Introduction to Political Theory s1

AP US Govt. Foundations of the Constitution

Read Wilson Chapter 2 and answer the following questions.

1. Make a list of the points that the text makes on what the “Colonial Mind” was thinking at the time of the Revolution.

2. Make a detailed list of the weaknesses in the Articles of Confederation.

3. What was Shay’s Rebellion and what role did that play in the push for changing the Articles of Confederation?

4. Make a chart comparing and contrasting the Virginia Plan, New Jersey Plan, and the Great Compromise. 5. What were the other compromises involving the president and the Supreme Court decided at the Convention?

6. What is the difference between a democracy and a republic and how did the Constitution strike a balance between these two forms of government?

7. What is judicial review?

8. List and define the two major principles of American representative democracy?

9. What was the founders’ solution to the problem that people will pursue their own self-interest? How is that different from what ancient philosophers believed? What did Madison argue and propose in this context?

10. Make a chart showing the Federalist and Anti-federalist arguments about the Constitution. Leave room to add to it. 11. Define writ of habeas corpus, bill of attainder, and an ex post facto law.

12. What arguments did the Federalists use against having a bill of rights?

13. Summarize the three provisions in the Constitution regarding slavery. Why didn’t the Founders abolish slavery?

14. What was Charles Beard’s interpretation of the Framers of the Constitution? What is now known to counter his interpretation?

15. In the ratifying convention, what were the economic divisions of who favored the Constitution? By the end of the unit, you will be responsible for being able to define and explain all these items.

1. John Locke 2. social contract 3. Natural Rights 4. State of Nature 5. unalienable rights 6. Thomas Hobbes 7. democracy 8. monarchy 9. oligarchy 10. mixed government 11. Articles of Confederation 12. Constitutional Convention 13. Shay’s Rebellion 14. Northwest Ordinance 15. factions 16. Federalist Papers 17. Virginia Plan 18. New Jersey Plan 19. The Great (or Connecticut) Compromise 20. republic 21. separation of powers 22. federalism 23. popular sovereignty 24. Federalists and Antifederalists 25. James Madison 26. Alexander Hamilton 27. Federalist Nos. 10 and 51 28. coalition 29. Bill of Rights 30. proportional representation 31. enumerated powers 32. separated powers 33. necessary and proper clause 34. apportionment 35. supremacy clause 36. treason 37. fugitive slave clause 38. veto 39. electoral college 40. original jurisdiction 41. appellate jurisdiction 42. Charles Beard