Combined set

Main purpose of the Articles of Confederation

Unify the states, create national government, preserve state power

How many votes could each state have under the Articles?

1

Positives of the Articles of Confederation

Established the first national government securing independence from Britain, Distributed power among states, Northwest Ordinance

Negatives of the Articles of Confederation

No executive to carry out laws, No federal court system, No power to levy taxes, No power to regulate trade, Difficult to pass laws (9/13 state approval), Needed consent from all states to amend, Weak military, No national currency, No national authority

What did the Land Ordinance of 1785 do?

Established a way to survey, divide and sell western lands

How was land divided under the Land Ordinance of 1785?

Townships, 1 mile squares, most still exist today like PHM

What did the Northwest Ordinance do?

Created political framework for northwest territories and pathway for territories to become states

3 restrictions on Northwest Territory

Government had to be republican, basic rights guaranteed, banned slavery in the territory

5 states from Northwest Territory

Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin

What happened in Shays' Rebellion?

Large rebellion due to reaction to debt crisis in opposition to state government

Outcome of Shays' Rebellion

A lot of conflict, courthouses shut down due to large protests

Main problem with Articles leading to Convention

Weak central government

Where was the Constitutional Convention held?

Pennsylvania State House / Independence Hall in Philadelphia

State that did not attend Convention and why

Rhode Island – unhappy with replacing Articles, thought it would replace state power

Goal of the Constitutional Convention

To fix the Articles of Confederation

Key feature of Virginia Plan

Strong central government with three branches, representation based on population

Key feature of New Jersey Plan

Equal representation / 1 vote per state

Who proposed the Great Compromise?

Roger Sherman

What did the Great Compromise create?

House of Representatives (population), Senate (2 per state)

How Great Compromise combined the plans

Had both upper and lower house – population for big states, equal for small states

What did 3/5 Compromise decide?

Slaves counted as 3/5 of a person

Main job of Executive Branch

Enforce the laws

Current Executive leader (title and name)

President of the United States – Donald Trump

2nd in command (title and name)

Vice President – J.D. Vance

Advisors in Executive Branch called

The Cabinet

Executive Branch building

The White House

3 qualifications to become President

At least 35 years old, natural-born U.S. citizen, resident of the U.S. for 14 years

Presidential term length

4 years

How many presidential terms allowed?

2 terms

4 powers/duties of President

Veto and sign bills, Commander-in-Chief, talk to people about problems, talk with foreign countries

4 Cabinet department examples

State, Treasury, Health and Human Services, Homeland Security

2 duties/powers of Executive Branch

Enforces laws, Acts as Commander in Chief of the military

2 Executive checks on Legislative

Can veto bills, can call special sessions of Congress

2 Executive checks on Judicial

Appoints federal judges, grants pardons

Basic job of Executive Branch

To enforce the laws

Main job of Legislative Branch

To make laws

Other name for Legislative Branch

Congress

Lower House

House of Representatives

Upper House

Senate

Members in House of Representatives

435

Members in Senate

100 (2 from each state)

House members from each state

Depends on population

Senate members from each state

2

House term length

2 years

Senate term length

6 years

Terms limit for Congress

Unlimited

Building where Congress meets

Capitol Building

2 duties/powers of Legislative Branch

Create laws and pass them, only branch to declare war

Qualifications for House of Representatives

At least 25 years old, citizen for 7 years, resident of the state

Qualifications for Senate

At least 30 years old, citizen for 9 years, resident of the state

2 Legislative checks on Executive

Can override presidential vetoes, approves appointments

2 Legislative checks on Judicial

Confirms federal judges, can impeach judges

Basic job of Legislative Branch

To make laws

Highest court in U.S.

Supreme Court

Supreme Court building

Supreme Court Building

Supreme Court judges called

Justices

Supreme Court leader (title and name)

Chief Justice – John Roberts

Number of Supreme Court justices

9

Supreme Court term length

Life

Why odd number of justices?

An odd number prevents ties

1 Judicial check on Legislative

Can declare laws unconstitutional

1 Judicial check on Executive

Can declare executive actions unconstitutional

Basic job of Judicial Branch

To interpret the laws

Current Indiana U.S. Senators

Jim Banks and Todd Young

Current Indiana U.S. Representative (District 2)

Rudy Yakym

How is Electoral College indirect election?

Presidents can win electoral vote but lose popular vote (or vice versa)

Electoral votes per state

Number of Senators + Representatives (more population = more votes)

Total electoral votes

538

Electoral votes needed to win

Majority – 270 or more

Define amend

To improve, correct, clarify, or adapt laws and foundational documents

Define ratify

Establish legitimacy and enforceability of amendments

Two ways to propose amendment

By Congress (2/3 both houses), or Constitutional Convention (never used)

How amendments are ratified

By 3/4 of states

Usual ratification time limit

7 years

Total amendments ratified since 1787

27

First Amendment – 5 freedoms

Freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of press, freedom of assembly, freedom of petition

Purpose of First Amendment

Limit government power and give more rights to the people

Third Amendment

No quartering soldiers in homes without consent

Is Third Amendment needed today?

Not really, but relevant historically

Fourth Amendment

Requires judge-issued search warrant to search a home

Second Amendment

Right to keep and bear arms (to protect yourself)

Fifth Amendment protections

Due process (life, liberty, or property), no double jeopardy, right to remain silent

What does "I plead the 5th" mean?

Refuse to answer questions that could make you look guilty

Sixth Amendment rights

Speedy public trial, impartial jury, right to lawyer, question witnesses

Seventh Amendment

Right to jury trial in civil cases

Eighth Amendment

No excessive bail or fines, no cruel and unusual punishments

Ninth Amendment

People have other rights not listed in Constitution

Tenth Amendment

Powers not given to federal government belong to states or people

Examples of civic duties (mandatory)

Obey laws, serve jury duty, pay taxes and debts, register for Selective Service, go to school

Examples of civic responsibilities (voluntary)

Vote, report crimes, respect rights of others, protect environment, volunteer, respect diversity

Definition of citizen

Person who belongs to a country by birth or naturalization

Naturalization requirements (examples)

Must be 18+, know basic English, live in U.S. for 5 years (or 3 if married to citizen)

Definition of Federalism

Divides power between national and state governments (dual sovereignty)

Two powers only national government has

Declare war, coin money

Two powers only state governments have

Manage public education, oversee public health and safety

Two shared powers

Tax citizens, make laws

Why was Federalism created?

Prevent monarchy and protect liberty

Why is Federalism complicated?

Overlapping jurisdictions, power struggles, contradictory policies

Conservative / Republican views (examples)

High military spending, less gun control, opposes gay marriage, less immigration support, right-wing

Liberal / Democrat views (examples)

Less military spending, more gun control, supports gay marriage, supports immigration, left-wing