civics

Articles of Confederation set up

• Uni - cameral legislature

• Delegates chosen by state legislatures (2-7 depending on size)

• Yet each states only get 1 vote

Articles of Confederation - weakness

• One vote per state

• No collection of taxes

• No regulation of trade

• No executive

• No court system 

• 9 out of 13 to pass law

• 13 out of 13 to amend Articles 

• Firm league of friendship - no army 

Shays rebellion

• an armed uprising of Massachusetts farmers and Revolutionary War veterans—led by Daniel Shays—protesting harsh economic conditions, high taxes, and debt-related court seizures

• This rebellion shocked and frightened many people. It scared them to think of fighting again. So the states appointed delegates to amend the articles.

Constitutional convention - Virginia plan

• They want 3 branches of government

• Legislative branch would be bicameral

• Representation would be based on money given to government and population 

• Good for big and wealthy states

Constitutional convention - New jersey

• They want 3 branches of government

• Legislative branch would be unicameral

• Representation would be based on equal representation

• Good for small states

Constitutional convention - connecticut Compromise 

Connecticut Compromise 

• 3  branches of government

• Legislative branch would be bicameral

• Representation in 1 house would be based on population - house of representatives- Favored by the large states 

• Representation in the other house would be based on equality - Favored by the small states - senate

• Norther stats don’t ant laves to count as people

• Southern states want slaves to count as people

• Compromise - slaves count a ⅗ of a white person for representation in congress and taxes 

Anti federalists

• Opposed the constitution 

• Like idea of strong state government 

• Wants individual rights 

ferderisit

• Favored the constitution 

• Like idea of strong central government

preamble

form a more perfect Union," establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility, provide for common defense, promote general welfare, and secure liberty.

introductory statement that defines the core purposes, goals, and philosophy of the government

Limited government

• Government is not all powerful, can only do what the people allow

• Constitutionalism

Separation of powers

• 3 branches must be separate, if combined could lead to tyranny 

Legislative - makes laws - congress

Executive - Enforce laws - President 

Judicial branch  - Interprets laws - Courts 

Checks and Balance

• Our 3 branches are not completely independent of one antler they are tied together by a complex system of checks and balances 

• Each branch has restraints on the others 

judicial Review

• The Supreme Court has the ability to decide acts of government unconstitutional.

Federalism 

• 2 basic levels of government, each with its own sphere of authority, operates over the same people and the same lands at the same time 

• Delegated or Enumerated power - powers granted to the national government 

• Expressed exp power to declare was

• Implied exp Necessary and proper 

• Inherent exp immigration

Republicanism 

• Republican government is the form of government in which the people are governed by their elected representatives and not by hereditary rulers.

individual rights

• Are the rights needed by each individual to pursue their lives and goals without interference from other individuals or the government. The rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Theory of government

• government exists to protect natural rights - life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness (inalienable rights)

Inalienable rights

• fundamental, inherent rights bestowed by the Creator (God)—specifically life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness—that no government can take away