Unit 1: Foundations of American Democracy

Direct Democracy

A form of government in which citizens rule directly and not through representatives

Liberal Democracy

A political system that promotes participation, competition, and liberty and emphasizes individual freedom and civil rights.

Social Contract

A voluntary agreement among individuals to secure their rights and welfare by creating a government and abiding by its rules.

Rule of Law

No one is above the law

Articles of Confederation

weak first gov, 'league of friendship'

Confederation

Power held by states, weak national gov

Bicameral legistlature

2-house Congress

Unicameral Legistlature

one-house Congress

Weaknesses of the AoC (5)

1. no taxation

2. No army

3. No Unified Currency

4. 13/13 states needed for major decisions

5. states competed, national gov has no authority

6. unicameral

2. No army

3. No Unified Currency

4. 13/13 states needed for major decisions

5. states competed, national gov has no authority

6. unicameral

Madison's Diagnosis

About the AoC, it was failing, needed stronger centralized federal government

Constitutional Convention big issues (3)

1. Representation

2. slavery

3. national v. state power

2. slavery

3. national v. state power

How many delagtes went to the CC?

55

Which state didn't attend the CC

Rhode Island

VA's Plan for a better gov. (3)

1. bicameral legistlature

2. representation by population

3. Strong National Gov

2. representation by population

3. Strong National Gov

NJ's plan for a better gov (3)

1. unicameral

2. equal representation

3 . for small-states (each state the same amount of votes)

2. equal representation

3. for small-states (each state the same amount of votes)

Great Connecticut compromise

1. bicameral congress

2. House of representation was based on population

3. Senate the representation was equal

2. House of representation was based on population

3. Senate the representation was equal

3/5 compromise

enslaved person= 3/5 of a vote for representation

increased southern political power

slaveholders threatened to leave convention

contradicted natural rights

federalists

for the constitution

Antifederalists

against the constitution

main point of federalists

pointed out the AoC problems

main point of anti-federalists

pointed out there being no bill of rights

Who wrote the federalist papers (3)

madison, hamilton, Jay

federalist 10

points out factions, a large central government controls them

federalist 51

seperation of power

checks and balances

Brutus No. 1

country is too large

national gov is too powerful

no bill of rights

elite will rule

STATES WONT HAVE POWER

officials will be self-interested

national gov is too powerful

no bill of rights

elite will rule

STATES WONT HAVE POWER

officials will be self-interested

faction

a group united by interest

can threaten rights

tyranny

Cruel and oppressive government or rule

republican gov

elected reps

large republic reduces factions danger

legistlative branch

makes laws

impeaches president

confirms judicial appointments

Executive branch

enforces law

vetos legislation

nominates judges

influences public opinion

Judicial branch

interprets laws

can declare laws/actional unconstitutional

authoritarian

no free elections

supress voices

totalitarian

no limits on power

Enumerated Powers

Powers given to the national government alone

Commerce Clause

Clause stating that Congress can regulate interstate and international commerce.

ex post facto laws

laws punishing people for acts that were not crimes at the time they were committed

writ of habeas corpus

A court order that requires police to bring a prisoner to court to explain why they are holding the person

Supremacy Clause

Federal law is supreme over state law

Whats clauses does Brutus point out

Supremecy clause and elestic clause

how many states are needed to make changes

9/13

Ammendments 1-8

expands on individual rights and freedoms

Ammendments 9

any rights not previously listed

Ammendments 10

any power not given to the national gov. or denied to states, is a state power

What represenatives are elected by the people

house of representatives

What represenatives aren't elected by the people

delegates, senate, president

Impeachment process (3)

1. bring charges against

bring charges against

2. house of reps to see if there's enough evidence

3. senate for trial for guilt / removal

2. house of reps to see if there's enough evidence

3. senate for trial for guilt / removal

Federal negative had the athority to do what

veto or reject any laws passed by a state

federal negative was proposed by who

James Madison

Where was the federal negative proposed

Constitutional Convention