U.S Government- 8th Grade American History

Weaknesses under the Articles of Confederation

Couldn’t tax states, Had no money, No standing military, and could not trade.

Land of Ordinance 1785

The law called for the territory to be surveyed and split into townships. Selling the land gave the Government money, which help because the AOC couldn't tax.

Northwest Ordinance

The system for settling the North West territory would be split into townships.

What happened at Shays Rebellion?

Farmers stormed courts and fought against judges to keep them from stealing their land and putting them in jail.

Ratify

To approve in an official way, confirm.

Amendment

A change or addition to the US constitution.

Veto

The President’s ability to reject a law proposed by Congress.

Popular Sovereignty

The power in the people. People have the right to change or alter their government.

Federalism

Power is shared between state governments and their National government.

Checks & Balances

Each of the 3 branches of government can limit or check the power of the branches, no branches can become too powerful.

Republicanism

Citizens elect reps to carry out needs. Reps vote according to their own government.

Separations of Powers

The government only has the power that the constitution gives it.

Constitutional Convention

They were held in Philadelphia from June-Sep 1787. To tweak Articles of Confederation

Virginia Plan

Representation in Congress should be based on the states population.

New Jersey Plan

Each state should have an equal number of representatives, regardless of population. This made smaller states like RI get equal votes like a bigger state.

Great Compromise

There would be two houses of Congress. Representation would be based on population in the House of Reps, satisfying the larger states. Meanwhile, in the Senate, each state would have two representatives ensuring the smaller states would have an equal voice.

Three-Fifths Compromise

Each enslaved person would count as 60% or 3/5ths of a person. The Northern states didn’t want the South to be able to count slaves because slaves couldn’t vote or have rights. The south wanted them to count for more reps. They settled on calling them 60% of a person.

Final step to approve the new US constitution

Get 9/13 states ratified.

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the US constitution.

Amendment 1

No established religion. Practice any religion you want, free speech, freedom of press.

Amendment 2

You have the right to own a firearm.

Amendment 4

No searching and seizures without a warrant.

Amendment 5

The right to a trial if charged with a crime. Can’t be charged with the same crime twice.

Amendment 8

Can’t have excessive bails/fines. No cruel punishments

Federalists

Supporters of the constitution. Favored a strong central government.

Anti-Federalists

Against the constitution. Wanted the Bill of Rights. The president would have too much power.

Main job of Legislative Branch

Making and passing laws.

Main job of Executive Branch

Enforcing laws and ensuring the US operates.

Main job of Judicial Branch

Maintaining justice and upholding the law.

Total number of members and length (Senate)

100 and six years.

Total number of members and length (HOR)

435 and two years.

Major difference between Senate and HOR

The number of reps is determined by the states population, while the Senate is always represented by two senators no matter size or population.

Title of leader and length of term (Executive)

President and four years.

Number of members and length of term (Judicial)

9 members and lifetime until they retire or die.