U.S. Government Compromises and Principles

The video covers the creation and ratification of the U.S. Constitution, highlighting key issues with the Articles of Confederation that led to the Constitutional Convention in 1787. It discusses the Great Compromise, which resolved representation disputes between large and small states, and the Three-Fifths Compromise, addressing the counting of slaves for representation and taxation. The system of checks and balances was established to prevent any government branch from becoming too powerful. The Federalist Papers played a crucial role in promoting ratification, leading to the addition of the Bill of Rights.

What was the main reason delegates met in Philadelphia in 1787?

• To celebrate the Declaration of Independence

• To discuss improvements to the Articles of Confederation

• To elect a new President

• To draft the Bill of Rights

What was the primary issue addressed by the Great Compromise?

• Taxation of states

• Representation in Congress

• Trade regulations

• Slavery in the southern states

How did the Great Compromise resolve the disagreement between large and small states?

• By allowing states to choose their own representation

• By establishing two houses of Congress with different representation methods

• By giving more power to the President

• By creating a single house of Congress

What was the purpose of the Three-Fifths Compromise?

• To count slaves as three-fifths of a person for representation and taxation

• To establish a new tax system

• To end slavery in the southern states

• To give northern states more power

Why did southern states want to count slaves in their population?

• To abolish slavery

• To reduce their taxes

• To gain more land

• To increase their representation in government

What was the purpose of the system of checks and balances?

• To ensure the President had ultimate power

• To prevent any one branch of government from becoming too powerful

• To simplify the legislative process

• To give more power to the states

Which branches of government were established to maintain checks and balances?

• Federal, State, and Local

• Presidential, Congressional, and Judicial

• Legislative, Executive, and Judicial

• Military, Economic, and Social

Who were the main authors of the Federalist Papers?

• John Hancock, Samuel Adams, and Paul Revere

• George Washington, Thomas Paine, and Patrick Henry

• James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay

• Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and Benjamin Franklin

What was the main argument of the Anti-Federalists against the Constitution?

• It gave too much power to the states

• It lacked a Bill of Rights

• It was too similar to British rule

• It was too short

What was added to the Constitution to address concerns about individual and states' rights?

• The Articles of Confederation

• The Bill of Rights

• The Emancipation Proclamation

• The Declaration of Independence