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Lesson 15: How Did the Framers Resolve the Conflict about the Powers of the Legislative Branch?

Lesson Purpose
One problem facing the Framers at the Philadelphia Convention was how much power to give to the legislative branch. In this lesson, you will learn about the debates that the Framers had concerning which powers to delegate to Congress.
Lesson Objectives
When you finish the lesson, you should be able to explain the powers that the Constitution gives to Congress.
Lesson Terms
bill of attainder
An act of the legislature that inflicts punishment on an individual or group without a judicial trial.
enumerated powers
ex post facto law
general welfare clause
necessary and proper clause
unconstitutional
writ of habeas corpus