AP Gov Chapter 2

4 types of federal policy

SCOTUS decision/opinion, congressional law, presidential executive order, bureaucratic regulation

Articles of Confederation

weak system of governing bc state had too much power; federal couldn't do anything

state interactions (articles of confederation)

"league of friendship;" govern themselves, help one another, but function as a country

weaknesses of articles of confederation

- no national judiciary and executive
- Shay' Rebellion = catalyst for changing the system

Shay's Rebellion

farmers in MA rebelled against tax/foreclosure collectors; gov. took too long to respond

Congress terms (Articles of Confederation)

3 years within a 6 year period (non-consecutive)

state voting (articles of confederation)

each state = 1 vote; need 9/13 votes for Congress to do anything; need all state votes to alter Articles of Confederation

president's roles (not explicitly listed in Constitution)

unite the country, talk to the people, comfort people, execute his power

Constitution Convention (1787)

threw away the Articles of Confederation and drafted the Constitution

philosophy behind Constitution

- Locke: gov. exist to protect natural rights
- Hobbes: gov. exist to protect against human selfishness
- Morris: gov. exist to protect property rights
- De Montesquieu: gov. will grow out of control so need separation of powers
- Madison: pluralism

republicanism

government in which elected leaders represent the views of the people

Declaration of Independence main points

- gov. created to protect life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness
- if gov. is not protecting these rights, the people have the right to alter and abolish (duty/right)

compromises at the constitutional convention

- majority rule vs. minority rule
- large states vs. small states
- national vs. state/local power
- slave states vs. non-slave states

majority rule vs. minority rule

pluralism

large states vs. small states

CT Compromise:
- VA Plan = favors big states, representation based on population = the House
- NJ Plan = favors small states, equal representation = the Senate

national vs. state/local power

- federalism: balance of power, ability for state to make policy when federal gov. does not assert power
- supremacy clause: Constitution, federal laws, treaties are all supreme
- reserved powers clause: any power not delegated by federal gov. are reserved for the state

slave states vs. non-slave states

3/5 compromise, 1808: international importation of slaves was banned

Federalists

strong federal gov., for Constitution

Anti-Federalist

strong state gov., for Articles of Confederation, didn't believe there wasn't enough protection for expression so pushed for Bill of Rights

Federalists' justification for protecting individual rights

- habeas corpus: will be told you're being detained unless suspended by president or governor
- bill of attainder: will not be sentenced without a trial
- ex post facto: won't be arrested if you've done something before it was illegal
- religious qualifications: don't need to meet a certain religious standard
- evidence for treason conviction: need 2 witnesses or confession

necessary/elastic clause

Congress has the power to do what they believe is necessary

powers of Congress (more than listed)

control interstate/international commerce