Articles of Confederation, Constitution, Branches of Government, and Elections

Flashcards about the articles of confederation to voting

Article

A set of written rules

Confederation

An alliance of groups

Adopt

To accept as an idea

Ratify

To make officially legal

When was the AoC adopted by Continental Congress?

November 15, 1777

What was going on in the US when the AoC was created?

The U.S. was in the middle of a Revolutionary War against the tyrannical rule of England's King George III.

What powers did the state governments have in the AoC?

States had the power to collect taxes, print and issue money, establish a military, sign peace treaties, wage war, set taxes, and set trade policies.

When did all states officially ratify the AoC?

March 1, 1781

What type of government did the Continental Congress want to create?

A government with limited powers over its citizens

What replaced the Articles of Confederation?

The US Constitution

Why did 55 delegates gather in the Pennsylvania State House in May 1787?

To participate in the Constitutional Convention, where they wrote the Constitution of the U.S.

What role did George Washington play in the Constitutional Convention?

He was unanimously selected to be the president of the convention and advocated for its ratification.

Why did George Mason not sign the Constitution?

He refused to sign the Constitution because it lacked a Bill of Rights to protect the rights of citizens.

Why is James Madison called the 'Father of the Constitution'?

He is called the 'Father of the Constitution' because he played an important role in its drafting and ratification.

What was Alexander Hamilton's position during the Constitutional Convention?

He advocated for a strong national government and presented his own plan with a powerful executive leader who served for life.

What was the compromise between the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan called?

The Great Compromise

What was the result of the Great Compromise?

Bicameral congress, House of Representatives (votes based on population), and Senate (based on equality)

What did the Anti-Federalists want?

A list of all rights guaranteed to people

What did the Federalists support?

Supported passage of the new Constitution and believed in a stronger central government.

What was the compromise regarding the rights of the people?

Bill of Rights

What did the southern states want regarding enslaved people and representation?

Count enslaved people

What did the northern states want regarding enslaved people and representation?

Did not want to count enslaved people

What was the compromise regarding enslaved people and representation called?

3/5 Compromise

Where did Alexander Hamilton want the new nation's government to be located?

in the North

Where did Thomas Jefferson want the new nation's government to be located?

in the South

What was the compromise on where the new nation's government should be located?

Capital placed along the Potomac River named the District of Columbia and South allows govt. to take over all war debt and agrees to help the north repay it

What is the Legislative Branch?

Is the branch of government that makes laws.

How many houses are in Congress?

Two houses: Senate and House of Representatives

What are the qualifications to be a state senator?

At least 30 years old, a U.S. citizen for at least 9 years, and live in the state they represent

What are the qualifications to be a representative?

At least 25 years old, a U.S. citizen for at least 7 years, and live in the state & district they represent

What are the special duties of the Senate?

Approve presidential appointments like ambassadors, judges, and cabinet members

What type of bills must start in the House of Representatives?

Bills that deal with raising money

Who is the President of the Senate?

Vice President

Who is the leader of the House of Representatives?

Speaker of the House

What is the job of the executive branch?

Enforces laws

Who is a part of the executive branch?

President & Vice President, Cabinet and Departments/Agencies.

What are the qualifications to be president?

Natural Born citizen of the U.S., A resident for 14 years, 35 years of age or older

How long is each presidential term?

4 years

What are the responsibilities of the president?

Setting an agenda for the country, Commander in Chief, Enforcing laws passed by Congress with the help of the various departments,Issuing Executive Orders, Holding conferences and the State of the Union Address and Appointing Supreme Court Justices with Senate approval

According to Article 2, Section 1, what power does the executive branch have?

The executive Power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America.

What are checks and balances?

a system that lets each branch limit the power of the other two; separation of powers

What is the Bill of Rights?

basic freedoms and rights of citizens;Amendments 1-10

What is the Judicial Branch?

Made up of the court system. Supreme Court is the highest court in the land

What is the purpose of the courts?

Meaning of laws,How they are applied and Whether laws break rules of Constitution

How do Supreme Court justices get their job?

Justices are appointed by Pres., approved by Senate, serve for life

State Courts vs. Federal Courts=

federalism

What type of jurisdiction is the State court

State courts are courts of general jurisdiction

what is the definition of federal question

legal issue under the US Constitution, federal laws, or treaties

What are the two elections that occur?

Primary Elections and General Elections

What are the requirements to vote?

Be a U.S. citizen, Be at least 18 years old, Be registered to vote, Meet your state’s rules

How often are presidential elections?

Every 4 years

how does the U.S. picks the president

Electoral College

How does the electoral college work?

Voters choose the candidate their state supports. Each state has a certain number of points called electoral votes. Most states give all their points to the candidate who gets the most votes there.

What is the purpose of a political party?

for the elected candidate to carry out the beliefs of the party

What the 13 amendment purpose

ended slavery.

What the 14 amendment purpose

gave citizenship to all people born in the US.

What the 15 amendment purpose

gave black men the right to vote.

What the 19 amendment purpose

gave women the right to vote.