United States Government Unit 2

The declaration of indepencence

written by Thomas Jefferson

not a legal document

statement of ideals and list of grievances

“break up” letter with Great Britain

social contract

natural law

“consent of the governed”

What is the articles of confederation

first governing “constitution” as a new nation after the revolution

loose organization of the states

state sovereignty

“firm leagues of friendships”

what are the goals of the Articles of Confederation

defense, security of liberty, and mutual and general welfare

what were the structures of our political beginnings

congress (unicameral), made up of delegates from the states

each state had one vote

no executive or judicial branches

presiding officer

what were the economic weaknesses of our political beginnings

no power to tax

debt the revolution

no power to regulate trade between states

what were the security weaknesses of our political beginnings

no power to make states obey the articles or laws

articles could only be changed by unanimous consent of states

Shay’s rebellion and other violent episodes

Where and was the constitutional convention

Philadelphia in 1787

what was the only state not present at the constitutional convention

Rhode Island

What are the delegates of the constitutional convention known as today

“farmers” or “founding fathers”

did they work in secrecy at the constitutional convention

worked in secrecy

Who was the presider of the constitutional convention

George Washington

What was James Madison known as

“father of the constitution” - he kept the notes from which we have most about out information about the proceedings

What was the goal of the constitutional convention

to revise the articles of confederation (eventually changed to be replace the articles of confederation)

new jersey plan

supported by small states

unicameral legislature (congress)

states all have 1 vote

add power to tax and regulate trade to existing congress of the confederation

federal executive chosen by congress and could be removed by a majority of states

single federal “supreme” judiciary appointed by the executives

What is the Virginia Plan

supported by the large states

three branches (LEJ)

bicameral legislature (rep based on population, house popularly elected, and senate chosen by house)

National executive and judiciary chosen by congress can be removed by congress

council of revision

national government can veto state laws

Connecticut (great compromise)

bicameral legislature

house of reps → proportional representation → reps popularly elected

senate → states rep equally → senators chosen by state legislatures

3/5 compromise

slaves would count as 3/5 of a person in population totals

also counted in tax totals

commerce and slave trade compromise

congress cant tax exports from states

couldn’t act on slave trade for 20 years

federalists

support the constitution

stressed weakness of the articles

federalist papers written by Hamilton, Madison, and jay

antifederalists

opposed the constitution

objected ratification process

thought the constitution robbed states of their sovereignty

be a way for large states to dominate small states

opposed lack of bill of rights

bill of rights

amendments 1-10

how many states needed to ratify the constitution

9

what was the first and last state to ratify the constitution

first: Delawear last: Rhode Island

What was the temporary capital of the united states

new york

who was elected president and vice president

P: George Washington VP: John Adams

what does the constitution do

set the basic principles the government was built on and operates on today

limits with which the government must conduct itself

what is the first part of the constitution

the premable

what is the second part of the constitution

the 7 articles

what is the first article

legislative

what is the second article

executive

what is the third article

judicial

what is the fourth article

relationships among states, full faith, credit clause, privileges, immunities

what is the fifth article

amendment process

what is the sixth article

supremacy clause, no religion test for holding office

what is the seventh article

ratification process

how many amendments are there

27

what are the six basic principles

popular sovereignty

limited government

separation of powers

checks + balances

judicial review

federalism