Social Studies - Chapter 6 Study Guide 

TEST DATE:__________________________ 
 
People to know: 
Daniel Shays​ – Led a rebellion against the new United States  
George Washington​– Elected leader of the Constitutional Convention 
Edmund Randolph​ –Came up with the Virginia Plan 
Wlliam Patterson​ – Came up with the New Jersey Plan 
Roger Sherman​ – Proposed “The Great Compromise” 
Thomas Jefferson – ​Key Anti-Federalist 
Alexander Hamilton - ​Key Federalist 
 
Articles of Confederation:​Our first written government 
-Only one branch - legislative 
-Weak central government - no power to tax 
-Gave States too much power 
-Each state made their own money 
 
The Constitutional Convention:​ Met to discuss/plan a new government 
Location: Philadelphia 
Delegates: 55 including many “Founding Fathers” 
Two groups: Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists 
Federalists​ supported a new Constitution and wanted a strong central government. 
They were merchants and wealthy plantation owners. 
Anti-Federalists​ supported the Articles of Confederation and wanted more power 
to remain with the states. They were farmers and tradesmen. 
 
Debate over representatives from each state: 
Virginia Plan -​ Large states have more representatives and more power 
New Jersey Plan - ​Each state has the same number of representatives and equal 
power 
**The Great Compromise -​Congress will be made up of two parts 
Senate - two representatives from each state, no matter the size 
House of Representatives - number of representatives is based on population 
**We use this today 
 
 
 
 
Constitution:​ ​Replaced the Articles of Confederation - Still used today 
Part 1: Preamble - Introduction that gave the goals of the Constitution 
Part 2: Articles - Creates 3 branches of government with equal power 
Part 3: Amendments- Allows changes to be made to the Constitution 
Ratified in June 1788 
 
Branches of Government 
Executive Branch  Legislative Branch  Judicial Branch 

The President  Two Houses:  The Supreme Court 

The Vice President  The Senate   (9 members) 
The Cabinet  (100 representatives)    
14 Departments  The House of  Federal Courts 
  Representatives   
Job:​ implement and  (435 Representatives)  Job: Interpret the Law 
enforce laws     
  Job:​ Pass all Laws  The Supreme Court 
Responsible for directing    Building 
the military  Sets the budget   
  Can declare war 
The White House   
The Capitol Building 
 
Bill of Rights: Added after the Constitution was ratified - Guarantees the 
individual rights of Citizens 
10 amendments in the Bill of Rights, a total of 27 amendments today 
Amendments to know: 
#1 Freedom of religion and speech 
#4 Protects people from having their property unfairly searched or taken 
#7 Guarantees a trial by Jury 
#13 Ended slavery 
#19 Women are allowed to vote 
 
Vocabulary to Know: 
Ratified - signed and made official 
Currency - money 
Veto - to refuse to approve something 
Rule of Law - Laws apply to everyone, equally 
Separation of Powers - powers and duties of government are divided among 
separate branches 
Checks and Balances - Each branch has the power to limit power of other branches 
Federal System of Government: 
Powers are divided between National and State Government 
 
National Government Can:  State Government Can: 
*Print Money *Manage Elections 
*Make laws about trade with *Regulate trade in their state 
Other countries 
Shared Responsibility: 
Passing laws about taxes 
 
 
Possible essay questions: 
Compare and contrast the Articles of Confederation and the Constitution. What 
were the similarities and differences? What were the problems with the Articles 
of Confederation? 
 
Why is the Bill of Rights important? Why did the “Framers” make sure the 
Constitution could be amended? Choose one amendment and explain why it is 
important. 
 
Why do we have three branches of government?