The Great Compromise
Agreement providing a dual system of congressional representation
Virginia Plan
2 Houses in Congress: Lower House based and elected by the people, Upper House nominated by state governments and elected by the 1st House (Benefited larger populations)
3/5 Compromise
Enslaved people count as 3/5 of a person when distributing representatives based on population
Slave Trade Compromise
Congress cannot prohibit the Slave Trade before 1808, and taxes on the Slave Trade may not exceed $10 / Person
Federalists
Believed in a strong central government with checks and balances, promised economic growth to Urban Areas, favored by the Wealthy Class
Anti-Federalists
Believed in state governments protecting rights as opposed to a tyrannical central government, gained support from rural areas and the Middle/ Lower Class.
Articles of Confederation
1 Branch of government: Congress (unicameral), Government could declare war, borrow money, coin money, create a postal service and enter treaties. Adopted in 1777, Ratified on March 1, 1781. Each state has 1 representative
Northwest Ordinance of 1787
When a territory's population reaches 5,000, residents could elect their own assembly. When the population exceeds 60,000, it could draft a state constitution and apply to become a state. New States could not have Slavery.
Shay's Rebellion
August, 1786 Led by Revolutionary War veteran Daniel Shays, Protested unjust economic policies and a corrupt government. Exposed the weakness of the Articles of Confederation and led to the creation of the stronger US Constitution.
Ways of Amending the Constitution
2/3 of the House and Senate propose an Amendment, and 3/4 of state legislatures agree. 2/3 of State's legislatures request a special convention and 3/4 of states vote in accordance
Ratification of the Constitution
July 1788, all states other than Rhode Island and North Carolina ratified the constitution, setting it into effect
Federal Government Powers
Declare War, Maintain armed forces, Regulate interstate and foreign trade, Admit new states, Establish post offices, Set standard weights and measures, Coin money, Establish foreign policy, Make all laws necessary and proper for carrying out delegated powers
Shared Powers
Maintain law and order, levy taxes, borrow money, charter banks, establish courts and provide for public welfare
State Powers
Establish and maintain schools, establish local governments, regulate business within the state, make marriage laws, provide for public safety, Assume all powers not delegated to the national government or prohibited to the states.
Separation of Powers
Constitution created Legislative, Executive and Judicial Branches
House of Representative checks
Can impeach the President and Justices
Senate Checks
Can try to convict and impeach, checks Presidential treaties and appointees
Judicial Checks
Can find laws and executive orders to be unconstitutional
Executive Checks
Can appoint justices and veto bills
Terms of Representatives
Elected every 2 years by the people of the state, accountable to the people
Terms of Senators
Chosen by state legislatures, 1/3 turn-over of 6 year terms. Meant to be stable
Term of President
Elected by the people every 4 years
Term of Supreme Court Justices
Life time appointment by the president and approval by the senate (9 Justices)
Representative Qualifications
25 years old, has been a US Citizen for 7 Years, lives in the district
Senator Qualifications
30 years old, US Citizen for 9 years, lives in the state
President Qualifications
35 years old, been a citizen for 14 years and born in the US
Legislative Process
A bill is introduced by its sponsor in the Senate or House, after-which, a small committee researches, talks and modifies the bill to send it to the House or Senate floor for debate or to another subcommittee. Members of either house can debate the bill and propose changes before voting. If a majority pass the bill, it moves to the other house, going through a similar process and sending in their modifications. Once a final version is reached, both houses must have a majority vote. Once the bill has passed Congress, the president is allowed to approve the bill into law or veto it.
Veto
President rejects the bill and sends it back to Congress along with a list of reasons. A 2/3 vote in both chambers of Congress and override a veto.
Cabinet
Officials in charge of respective agencies who advise the president and carry out his orders
Executive Branch
Enforces laws
Legislative Branch
Makes laws
Judicial Branch
Defines and interprets the US Constitution
Bill of Rights
12 Amendments proposed by congress, of which only 10 were ratified by the states
Rights not protected by the 1st Amendment
Obscenity, Hate Speech, Threats, Defamation, Violation of Copyright laws, Commercial speech, Child pornography
Hamilton (Federalist)
Faction believed that the Federal government has the power to create a national bank. Centered on urban manufacturing. Believed that the common man can't be trusted
Jefferson (Republican)
Faction thought that the government doesn't have the authority to create a national bank. Supported rural agriculture and believed the common man can be trusted
Landmark Case
A point of reference for all future interpretations of the US Constitution
Electoral College
A body of people representing the states of the US, who formally cast votes for the election of the president and vice president.
New Jersey Plan
Each state in congress would have equal representation, regardless of population, favoring smaller states
Current number of senators
100 (2 per state)
Current number of representatives
435
Current number of electors
438 (Race to 270)
Washington's Farewell Address
Warned against partisan politics which he predicted would bring corruption and dangerous rivalries
Precedents set by Washington
2 Term president, open supreme court selection, creation of the cabinet (reliance on department heads), made the vice president mostly ceremonial, only vetoed bills that were unconstitutional rather than ones he disagreed with, and a precedent of isolationism.