Principles of Government Unit 1 Gov Test

free enterprise aka. capitalism

an economic system based on private ownership, individual initiative, profit, and competition

oligarchy

a small elite group that shares political power

confederation

an alliance of an independent gov. that grant limited powers, usually involving defense or foreign affairs

sovereign

the absolute power within its own territory to decide domestic and foreign policies

characteristics of state

population, territory, sovereignty, and gov.

most popular gov.

parliamentary system

presidential gov.

divides exe. and leg. power between two branches

power of exe.

enforce laws

power of leg.

make laws

1st VP of U.S.

john adams

1st capital of U.S.

NYC

1st state of U.S.

Deleware

federalist papers

85 political essays that influenced many americans to support the constitution

federalists

supported the new constitution and a strong central gov.

anti-fed.

opposed the constitution and thought it gave too much power to the central gov., wanted a bill of rights

supreme court

highest court in the federal judiciary

3/5ths compromise

only three fifths of a state’s slave population would count in determining representation

New Jersey Plan

unicameral, each state would have 1 vote

James Madison

delegate in Virginia to rewrite the articles of confederation, helped write the federalist papers, supported federalists

shay’s rebellion

armed uprising by indebted farmers in Mass. protesting high taxes and economic hardship

declaration of independence

formal doc. that declared the 13 american colonies independent from great britain

french and indian war

a conflict in north america between great britian and france, part of the larger seven years’ war, fought over control of the ohio river valley, territory, and resources

types of colonies

royal colonies (controlled by king), proprietary colonies (run by proprietor chosen by the king), charter colonies (run mainly by elected legislatures and were the most independent)

1st colony

virgina

constitutional monarchy

most power lies with the parliament, which is elected by the people. the king = head of state, prime minister = head of gov. and leading party in parliament

connecticut compromise

a 2-house leg. that would allow for both equal representation and representation based on population

2nd continental congress

john hancock was the chose president of congress, every colony sent delgates, a continental army was created and george washington was commander-in-chief

federal gov.

power is divided between a central gov. and several local gov.

parliamentary gov.

the leg. choose the exe. which is apart of leg. and under its control

constitutional convention

held to rewrite the constitution, decided to write a whole new doc and create a whole new gov.

articles of confederation promises

1. obey the articles and acts of congress

2. provide funds and troops requested by congress

3. treat citizens fairly

4. respect the laws and court rulings of other states

5. allow open travel and trade among states

articles of confederation weaknesses

1. only 1 vote among states

2. powerless to levy taxes for each state regardless of size

3. congress powerless to regulate commerce or duties

4. no exe. power to enforce acts of congress

5. no national court system

6. amendments required consent from all states

7. 9/13 majority required to pass laws

change in the way the british controlled the colonies

1. the colonies became used to self-role for many years

2. taxation was low and interference with colonial affairs was minimal

3. taxed the colonists after the french and indian war

4. parliament expanded and enforced laws to control colonial trade

5. parliament passed new taxes to pay for british troops stationed in north america