AP US Government and Politics - Chapter 2: The Constirution

Flashcards cover attendees of the Constitutional Convention, key compromises (3/5, Great Compromise), plans (Virginia/New Jersey), the Articles of Confederation and its weaknesses, Shays's Rebellion, Annapolis, and core constitutional principles (federalism, separation of powers, expressed/implied powers, and key clauses).

Name some attendees of the Constitutional Convention (Philadelphia, 1787).

George Washington; Alexander Hamilton; Benjamin Franklin; Roger Sherman; William Patterson; George Mason; James Wilson; Edmund Randolph.

What were the two big issues at the Constitutional Convention?

Representation (population-based vs. equal representation) and the distribution of national power; plus debates over slavery and individual rights.

What is the Three-Fifths Compromise?

Each enslaved person would count as three-fifths of a person for purposes of representation and taxation.

What did the compromise on slave importation relate to?

Aimed at how enslaved people would be counted for population purposes and how importation could be taxed (related to representation and revenue).

What is the Great (Connecticut) Compromise?

A bicameral legislature with the House of Representatives based on population and the Senate with equal representation (two per state).

Which plan favored larger states due to population-based representation?

The Virginia Plan.

Which plan kept representation equal for all states and favored smaller states?

The New Jersey Plan.

What are Expressed/Enumerated Powers?

Powers specifically listed in the Constitution for Congress.

What is the Necessary and Proper Clause (Elastic Clause)?

Gives Congress the power to make laws needed to carry out its enumerated powers; supports implied powers.

What are Implied Powers?

Powers inferred from the Necessary and Proper Clause to carry out the enumerated powers.

What is the Supremacy Clause?

The Constitution, national laws, and treaties are the supreme law of the land.

What is Federalism?

Power is divided and shared between national and state governments.

What is the purpose of Article I (Legislative Branch)?

To establish the legislative branch to make laws; bicameral Congress (House of Representatives and Senate).

House of Representatives – who elects them and what is their term length?

Elected by the people; 2-year terms.

Senate – who elects them and what is their term length?

Elected by the people; 6-year terms.

What is the purpose of Article II (Executive Branch)?

To enforce laws; elected via the Electoral College; 4-year term.

What is the purpose of Article III (Judicial Branch)?

To interpret laws; structure and composition determined by Congress.

What is the role of the Writ of Habeas Corpus?

Protection against unlawful imprisonment; imprisonment requires a lawful reason.

What is a Bill of Attainder?

A law that declares a person guilty of a crime and punishes them without a fair trial.

What is Ex Post Facto?

A law that makes illegal an act that was legal when it was committed.

What was the Articles of Confederation described as, and what was its major flaw?

A 'league of friendship' among states with a weak central government; no power to tax, no standing army, no regulation of trade, unicameral legislature, and require 9/13 states to pass laws and 13/13 to amend.

What event highlighted the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?

Shays's Rebellion in Massachusetts (economic crisis and farmer uprisings) highlighted the need to revise the AOC.

What was the Annapolis Convention?

Called to discuss interstate commerce and develop a system for trade; ultimately unsuccessful.

What is a republic as defined in the notes?

A government ruled by representatives of the people.

How did the Northern and Southern states differ in slave population according to the data?

The Southern states had a significantly higher slave percentage than the Northern states.