Gov 1.1-1.6

popular sovereignty

Gov derives its authority from the consent of the people

limited gov

gov is subject to laws and cannot exercise unlimited power

separation of powers

gov power is divided among 3 branches

checks and balances

each branch has powers that limit the authority of the other branch

federalism

power is divided between the national and state gov

republicanism

citizens exercise political power by electing representatives to make decisions on their behalf

U.S. Constitution

established the structure and powers of the national gov

representative democracy

citizens elect representatives to make laws and public policy on their behalf rather than voting directly on every issue

participatory democracy

broad participation by citizens produces the best gov decisions

pluralist democracy

competing interest groups influence gov, preventing any one group from dominating politics

elite democracy

political and economic leaders hold the greatest influence because they possess expertise, resources, and leadership experience

Articles of Confederation

• 1st constitution of the U.S.

• adopted in 1781

• weak national gov

  • most power remained in the states

• one-house congress - each state received 1 vote regardless of population

weakness of the articles of confederation

• no centralized military

• no executive branch

• no national court system

• no power to regulate interstate commerce

• no exclusive power to coin money

Shay’s Rebellion

• 1786-1787

• an armed uprising led by revolutionary war veteran Daniel Shays

  • Massachusetts farmers protested high taxes, debt, and farm foreclosures

Great (Connecticut) Compromise

• balanced the interests of large and small states by creating a bicameral congress

  • house of reps → based on population, senate → each state receives 2 senators

electoral college

created a system for electing the president through electors rather than by direct popular vote or congress

3/5 compromise

counted 3/5 of the enslaved population when determining representation and taxation

• southern states gained additional representation in the house

slave trade compromise

delayed any ban on the international slave trade until 1808

bill of rights

addressed anti-federalists concerns by protecting individual liberties

ratification under the constitution

an amendment becomes part of the constitution when approved by ¾ of the states

proposal under the constitution

an amendment may be proposed by a 2/3 vote of both houses of congress or by a convention called by 2/3 of the state legislatures

federalists

supported the constitution

• stronger national gov

• believed states would still have an important role

• constitution limited the gov

• large republic could protect liberty

• Federalist No. 10

anti-federalists

opposed the constitution

• feared the national gov would become too powerful

• wanted to protect state and local power

• wanted a bill of rights

• small republic would better protect liberty

• Brutus No. 1

Federalist No. 10

Madison was concerned about factions

• argued that they are unavoidable because people naturally have different opinions

• large republic would help control factions

  • with so many competing groups it would be harder for 1 faction to gain complete control

what would happen if factions were removed?

would require taking away liberty or forcing people to think alike

Brutus No. 1

• argued that the new constitution gave the national gov too much power

• republic should be smaller

  • easier to hold accountable

Article I

creates the legislative branch (congress)

• making laws

• taxation

• regulating commerce

• declaring war

Article II

creates the executive branch

• enforces laws

• commands the military

• negotiates treaties

• appoints federal officials

Article III

creates the judicial branch

• supreme court

• interpret laws

• resolve constitutional disputes

Article IV

explains the relationship between the states and how new states may join the union

Article V

establishes the process for amending the constitution

Article VI

includes the supremacy clause, making the constitution and federal laws the supreme law of the land

Article VII

explains how the constitution would be ratified

Amendment 1

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

Amendment 2

rights to keep + bear arms

Amendment 3

protection against the quartering of soldiers in private homes

Amendment 4

protection from unreasonable searches and seizures

Amendment 5

due process, protection against self-incrimination, and double jeopardy

Amendment 6

rights of the accused, including a speedy and public trial

Amendment 7

right to a jury trial in most civil cases

Amendment 8

protection from excessive bail, excessive fines, and cruel and unusual punishment

Amendment 9

people retain rights not specifically listed in the constitution

Amendment 10

powers not delegated to the federal gov are reserved to the states or the people

examples of checks and balances

• congress → can override a presidential veto

• president → can veto legislation passed by congress

• supreme court → can declare laws or gov actions unconstitutional

• house of reps/senate → may impeach federal officials, and then senate may remove them from office following conviction