US constitution Study Guide

What is Federalism

The relationship between State and Federal Governments

Constitution has 7 Articles- the fourth goes over federalism

Divides the government into State and federal

Gives Certain powers to each levels

What is a power held by just the federal government, just the state government, and what is a power shared by both?

Federal Government: Declare war, Setting standards for weight + measurements, Print money

State Government: Establish Schools, Establish local gov., Issue Driver + Marriage Licenses

Both:Tax, Maintain law + order, Borrow money, Establishing courts, Build Highways

What five freedoms are granted by the first amendment?

RAPPS: Religion, Assembly, PRess, Petition, Speech

What are the three branches of government, what do they do and what groups/people make up the top levels of those branches?

Legislative: Makes laws

Executive: Enforces laws

Judicial: Interprets laws

Who helped write Federalist Papers?

Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, John Jay

Why the Articles of Confederation were considered weak?

States not fairly represented in Congress

Could not negotiate with foreign countries (technically could but could not in force treaties)

Could not force stated to comply with laws

No Power to Collect taxed for call for troops

No common Currency- Can make money but cant force people to use it.

What are some of the differences of opinions between federalists and anti-federalists?

federalists: wanted the Constitution ratified

Anti-Federalists: Did not want the Constitution ratified

Supported states rights and wanted states to have more power

Argued for the Bill of Rights to be added to the constitution before ratification

What is Popular Sovereignty?

The idea that the Government receives its power from people

Consent of the governed

Who is the “Father of the Constitution”?

James madison

Who presided over the Constitutional Convention?

George Washington

Explain the 3/5^th compromise

Was made for the south

States that each slave would count as 3/5th of a person

Gives the south upper hand being able to have more say in the house of rep.

Explain the Virginia Plan

Representation in Congress is based off population

Favored by large states

Explain the New Jersey Plan

Representation in Congress is equal for all states

1 vote per state

Favored by small states

Explain the Connecticut Compromise

Solves the debate between large + small states

Creates 2 house system- Bicameral

Senate= 2 representatives per state

House of rep.= based off population

Explain Shay’s Rebellion

Group of farmers begin rebelling against property foreclosures

Mass. had to deal with it on their own- no help from the central government

Revolt fails, but convinces many Americans that they need a stronger federal government

Explain the Land Ordinance of 1785

Created an orderly way of dividing land in the west

Only guaranteed way for national government to make money

Explain the Northwest Ordinance of 1787

Provided a stable way of life in the western territories- PATH TO STATEHOOD

When a territory had 5,000 residents it could create a legislature

When a territory had 60,000 residents it could apply to become a state

States could vote territories could not

Slavery was outlawed in NW territories

What is the loose alliance of states during and after the American Revolution called?

Definition of AOC

What are the accomplishments of the Articles of Confederation?

Land ordinance of 1785- Helped move people west safely

Northwest Ordinance 1787- Path to statehood

Under this we won the American Revolution

What are Checks and Balances? Can you give examples?

Allowed each branch of government to "Check up" on one another

Keeps 1 branch from having to much power

EXAMPLES:

JUDICIAL: Reviews executive orders (over executive) + Determines whether laws are constitutional (Over legislative)

EXECUTIVE: Appoints some court officials (over Judicial) + Veto legislation; call special session (over legislative)

LEGISLATIVE: can propose constitutional changes; impeach officials (Over judicial) + Override veto; confirm appointments; impeach official (Over executive)

What is the difference between Separation of Powers and Checks and Balances?

Separation of Powers- Divides the government into branches with specific roles assigned to each branch

Checks and balances- Allows each branch of government to "check up" on one another

DIFFERENCES: Separation of power GIVES power- Checks and balances- LIMITS power