It_is_a_republic,The United States Government

Q: Who "ratified" our Constitution? ...NOT THE VOTERS in each of the 13 states.
A. The Constitution was ratified by the legislatures of each state, which was an
assent and ratification process.

Q. What form of national government was devised at the first
Constitutional Convention?
A. a Republic called "The United States of America".

Q: Is the United States Constitution a federal or national document? ( Was it
written as a federal act or a national choice?)
A. Because each separate state voted for its ratification, the Constitution was
written as a national act, with each state retaining sovereign legal rights.

Q. What earlier constitution did it replace?
A. Our present Constitution replaced "The Articles of Confederation",
which operated with a weak central government.

Q How did the new Constitution solve the problems of the weak
    national government, state sovereignty, and personal liberties?
A. Using James Madison's Virginia Plan, it was a "written" legal
     document establishing a strong central with limited powers,
     separate branches or compartments, and provided for rights of
     the minority.

Q. Where is the first constitutional convention meet?
A. In Independence Hall, Philadelphia, PA.

Q. Was every state represented at the convention?
A. No. Rhode Island refused to send any delegates, because
a strong national government would injure its trade and commerce.

Q. What prominent national/patriotic personalities did not attend
      the convention?
A. Patrick Henry of Virginia and Samuel Adams of Massachusetts
     refused to attend. Each leader opposed a strong centralized
     government. John Jay, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson were
     in Europe, serving as American ambassadors.

Q. Was the first constitutional convention an open forum where
      the public and news reports could attend?
A. It was a closed meeting, where delegates could attend by
     invitation only. The entire process was conducted behind closed
     doors with delegates sworn to secrecy.

Q. What national framework and existing structure was used in its
      construction?
A. Every delegate deemed the Articles of Confederation as
     unworkable, but that document served as a back drop as the
     new Constitution evolved. Next, a set of resolutions called "The
     Virginia Plan" were adopted. Then, smaller states added " The
     New Jersey Plan".

Q. What was the importance of the Great Compromise
A. The Great Comprise is the heart and soul of Repeal Amendment
     Seventeen. During the convention, small states lost control to
      larger states. The Great Compromise restored power to
      smaller states by the method of appointing U.S. senators.
      It was a solution whereby small states would have equal voting
      power as larger states in the senate: 2 senators from each state;
      each senator owning one vote.( Article I, Section 3. The senate of
      the United States shall be composed of two senators from each
      state, chosen by the legislature thereof, for six years,,,)
           Both George Washington and Benjamin Franklin endorsed
      and lobbed for the Great Compromise.

Q. What important, restrictive institutional provisions were established
     by the Founding Fathers?
A. First, the new Constitution extended the republic into national
     status. Second, it separated government functions into
     distinct powers. Third, it recognized state sovereignty in the
     federal system.

Q. Of the many who attended, how many delegates signed the final,
     official document?
A. Thirty-nine delegate, representing twelve states, signed the
     Constitution. Benjamin Franklin at 81 was the oldest member,
     and he needed assistance walking to the table. Upon on signing,
     George Washington remarked it was "little short of a miracle".

Q. What was the pressing need for adding the Bill of Rights?
A. To insure ratification by the several state legislatures and calm
      the Anti-federalists, the first ten amendments were added. The Bill
      of Rights placed firm restrictions and constraints on the new
      federal government.

Q. When was the Constitution ratified?
A. Ratification was approved when New Hampshire became the
ninth state to ratify on June 21, 1778. The last state to formally approve
was Rhode Island on May 29, 1790.

Q: When was the Fourteenth Amendment formally ratified?
A. The Fourteenth Amendment was never formally proposed an Amendment
to the Constitution. It did not go through the rigorous constitutional
amending process by both Congress and the individual states.

Q. How do amendments to the Constitution solve legal issues?
A. Our founding fathers recognized American society is fluid.
     Their original work was a framework, which was meant to be
     changed. Each legal issue falls back to the peoples right to
     govern For example:
         The 11th amendment clarified judicial power concerning issues
     of suites against states, and the 12th amendment established a
     viable method for electing president and vice-president. Following
     the Civil war, the 13th, 14th and 15th amendments were adopted,
     abolishing slavery, gave citizenship to naturalized and native born
     persons as well as guaranteeing due process, and the right to vote
     for all citizens. Later, the 16th amendment gave congress the right
     to level a direct tax on citizens, businesses, and whatever else
     derived. Then, the 17th amendment took away state control by
     direct election by popular vote for senators. The 18th amendment
     prohibited manufacture, sale or transportation of liquors, but it was
     repealed by the 21st. The 19th amendment defined and extended
     to women the right to vote. The 27th amendment , and last one
     added, grants the U.S. Congress the right to vote pay raises
      for themselves. Etc. Etc, Etc.

Q: Was establishing the national banking system under the Treasury
Department Constitutional?
A. Alexander Hamilton argued that it was legal.
Thomas Jefferson argued that it was not.

Q: Which Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court most often wrote"
his rulings that favored to the federal power and against state sovereignty?
A. Chief Justice John Marshal, the fourth Chief Justice.

Sources:

The Politically Incorrect Guide to the Constitution
Kevin R. C. Gutzman
Regnery Publishing, Inc.
Washington, D.C. 2007

Founding Fathers Almanac
edited by Matthew Spalding
Heritage Press
Washinton, D.C. 2002

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