AP US Government & Politics

Name:
Period:
2.1-2.5 Reading Guide
2.1: Roots of the New American Nation
1. In what ways did the idea of mercantilism increase tension
between Britain and the American colonies?

2. Describe how each of the following pieces of legislation furthered

the divide between the British and American colonies:
a. Sugar Act

b. Stamp Act

c. Quartering Act

d. Townshend Acts

3. What was the initial goal for the delegates attending both the
First and Second Continental Congresses? How did King George
III react to their resolutions?

4. Which philosopher was likely the largest influence on the

language of the Declaration of Independence? What ideas did
this philosopher promote?

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2.2: The First Attempt at Government: The Articles of

Confederation
5. Define confederation:

6. What major differences are there between the government

established by the Articles of Confederation and our current
American government as established by the constitution?
a.
b.
c.

d.

7. What major problems that limited the effectiveness of the

Articles of Confederation arose? Provide specific examples:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

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8. How did Shayss Rebellion exploit key problems with the Articles
of Confederation? Why was the Congress of the Confederation
unable to deal with the rebellion effectively?

2.3: The Miracle at Philadelphia: Writing the U.S. Constitution

9. Describe the demographics of the Framers. What sort of
backgrounds did they come from, and what sorts of shared
interests might they have had?

10.
Describe the two major, competing plans for the new
government initially proposed at the Constitutional Convention:
Virginia Plan

New Jersey Plan

Strength of National
Government
Type of legislature
Powers granted to
Congress/legislature
Favored by small/large
states?

11.
What provisions were included in the Great Compromise
between the Virginia and New Jersey Plans?
a. Type of legislature

b. Representation in legislative houses

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c. Powers granted to legislative houses

d. Strength of national government

12.
Why were the Framers forced to come up with the ThreeFifths Compromise? What effect did this have on the balance of
power in the new United States?

13.
for?

What purpose was the Electoral College original designed

2.4: The U.S. Constitution

14.
Describe the following concepts and how they are used in
the American system of government:
a. Separation of Powers

b. Checks and Balances

15.
What is the point of federalism? How does this concept
different from the separation between national and state
governments created in the Articles of Confederation?

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16.
Briefly summarize the main purpose of each of the Articles
of the Constitution
a. Article I
b. Article II
c. Article III
d. Articles IV-VII
17.
Define Enumerated Powers, and provide at least one
example of an enumerated power provided to the U.S. Congress

18.
What is the necessary and proper clause? Where can it be
found in the Constitution? Why might this be viewed as
controversial?

19.
How do implied powers differ from enumerated powers?
Provide at least one example of an implied power taken by the
U.S. Congress.

20.
Where in the Constitution is the full faith and credit clause
found? How has this been able to prevent some of the issues that
resulted from the Articles of Confederation?

21.
Describe the supremacy clause. Where can this be found in
the Constitution?

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2.5: The Drive for Ratification of the U.S. Constitution

22.
Describe the goals and backgrounds of the major early
factions in the United States:
a. Federalists

b. Anti-Federalists

23.
Why was the Bill of Rights added to the Constitution
immediately after ratification?

24.
How did the Ninth and Tenth Amendments differ from the
previous 8? Why might this have been considered a major victory
for Anti-Federalists?