1. How did the Articles of Confederation address representation in Congress and why did this compromise satisfy both large and small states?

2. What powers did the Articles grant to Congress and what protections did they provide to the states?

1. What were the major weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and how did they prevent effective governance?

1. Why was the national government unable to pay its debts under the Articles of Confederation?

2. What happened to the tax proposals of 1782 and 1783, and what does this reveal about the difficulty of amending the Articles?

1. What was Shays' Rebellion and what did it demonstrate about the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?

2. How did Shays' Rebellion influence the decision to hold a Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia?

1. What were the major competing interests among delegates at the Constitutional Convention?

1. How did the Virginia Plan and New Jersey Plan differ in their approach to representation and the power of the national government?

2. What was the Great Compromise and how did it resolve the dispute between large and small states?

3. What was the Three-Fifths Compromise and how did it address the question of counting enslaved people for representation?

4. How did the Electoral College compromise address disagreements about how to elect the president?

1. What is the two-stage process for amending the Constitution and why did the framers include a path that did not require Congress?

2. How does the amendment process balance rigidity with flexibility?

1. What governing principles did the framers include in the Constitution and how do they limit government power?

2. What is the necessary and proper clause and why did the framers include it?

1. What was required for the Constitution to be ratified and why did some delegates refuse to sign it?

1. Why did Anti-Federalists and some pro-Constitution leaders believe a bill of rights was necessary?

2. What was James Madison's initial argument against a bill of rights and what changed his mind?

3. What are the key rights protected by the Bill of Rights and why were these protections important to Americans?

1. How did the USA PATRIOT Act balance national security concerns with protections in the Bill of Rights?

2. What changes did the USA Freedom Act make to the USA PATRIOT Act and why were these changes made?

3. How has the federal government's role in education evolved since the 1960s and what does this reveal about federalism?

1. What are the primary responsibilities of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches?

2. How do the legislative, executive, and judicial branches provide access points for citizens to influence policy?

1. What is separation of powers and why did the framers assign distinct responsibilities to each branch?

2. How does the separation of powers between the House and Senate further divide legislative authority?

1. What is a veto and how does it serve as a check on legislative power?

2. How can Congress override a presidential veto and what does this reveal about the balance of power?

3. What is the Senate's role in confirming presidential appointments and how does this serve as a check on executive power?

4. What is impeachment and what is the process for removing an official from office?