AP Gov Declaration to Federalists

Why did the Articles of Confederation need to be revised?

The Articles created a weak central government: Congress had no power to tax, no executive to enforce laws, no national court system, and couldn’t regulate interstate commerce. States acted like independent countries, and national defense/debt suffered.

What impact did Shays’ Rebellion have on initiating the Constitutional Convention?

Daniel Shays led farmers in Massachusetts against foreclosures and high taxes (1786). The national government under the Articles couldn’t raise an army to stop it, showing elites that stronger federal power was necessary → sparked calls for the 1787 Constitutional Convention.

What were the three major conflicts at the Constitutional Convention and their compromises?

• Representation → Virginia Plan (population) vs. New Jersey Plan (equal). Resolved by Great Compromise: bicameral Congress (House by population, Senate equal).

• Slavery → Northern vs. Southern states. Resolved by Three-Fifths Compromise (each enslaved person counts as 3/5) and Importation of Slaves Compromise (Congress can’t ban slave trade until 1808).

• Executive Power/Elections → Fear of mob rule vs. tyranny. Resolved by Electoral College to indirectly elect president.

What is Representative Democracy, and what are its forms?

• Participatory Democracy: broad participation (e.g., referendums, town meetings).

• Pluralist Democracy: power spread among groups/interest groups (e.g., NRA, NAACP).

• Elite Democracy: decisions made by wealthy/educated elites (e.g., Electoral College, Senate before 17th Amendment).

How do Checks & Balances and Separation of Powers work?

• Separation of Powers: government divided into 3 branches: Legislative (makes laws), Executive (enforces laws), Judicial (interprets laws).

• Checks & Balances: each branch can limit the others. Example: President vetoes laws, Congress overrides veto, courts declare laws unconstitutional.

How did the Founders check “the people” in elections?

• Senators chosen by state legislatures until 17th Amendment (1913).

• President chosen by Electoral College, not direct popular vote.

• Federal judges appointed for life.

• States controlled voter qualifications (property, race, gender restrictions until later amendments).

Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists: What were their main positions?

• Federalists: supported Constitution, favored strong central gov’t, argued separation of powers prevented tyranny (Madison, Hamilton, Jay).

• Anti-Federalists: opposed Constitution, feared loss of liberty, wanted power in states, demanded a Bill of Rights (Brutus, Patrick Henry, George Mason).

How was the Constitution ratified?

Ratified through state ratifying conventions (not legislatures), required approval by 9 of 13 states. Debate was fierce; Federalists promised to add a Bill of Rights to gain Anti-Federalist support.

What was the purpose of the Federalist Papers?

85 essays (1787–1788) by Madison, Hamilton, and Jay to persuade states (especially NY) to ratify the Constitution by defending its principles.

What are the key arguments in Federalist #10?

Madison: factions are unavoidable but can be controlled. A large republic dilutes faction power, prevents majority tyranny, and protects minority rights better than small republics.

What are the key arguments in Federalist #51?

Madison: separation of powers and checks/balances are essential to prevent tyranny. “Ambition must be made to counteract ambition.”

What is Brutus No. 1, and why is it important?

Anti-Federalist essay (1787) arguing Constitution gives central gov’t too much power, esp. via the Necessary & Proper Clause and Supremacy Clause. Warned that a large republic would become corrupt and threaten liberty.

Why did Anti-Federalists want a Bill of Rights?

To explicitly protect individual freedoms (speech, religion, due process) from federal overreach; they feared the vague Constitution left citizens vulnerable.

Natural Rights

Rights inherent to all people—life, liberty, property (Locke); changed to “pursuit of happiness” in the Declaration of Independence.

Social Contract

Enlightenment idea (Locke/Rousseau): people consent to be governed in exchange for protection of rights. If gov’t violates rights, people can overthrow it.

Popular Sovereignty

Authority of government comes from consent of the governed (elections, voting). Key principle of Declaration & Constitution.

Limited Government

Government powers are restricted by Constitution to protect liberties. Example: Bill of Rights limits gov’t power over individuals.

Republicanism

System where citizens elect representatives to govern. Example: Congress members represent the people.

Declaration of Independence

1776 document declaring separation from Britain, written by Jefferson, based on Locke’s natural rights and social contract theory.

Articles of Confederation

1781–1789 first U.S. constitution: unicameral legislature, no executive/judiciary, no power to tax, weak national government.

Unicameral

One-house legislature (Articles had this).

Tax Enforcement under the Articles

Congress could request money from states but had no power to collect → gov’t in debt, no army funding.

Shays’ Rebellion (1786–1787)

Farmers in MA protested foreclosures and taxes; exposed weakness of Articles since federal gov’t couldn’t respond effectively.

Constitutional Convention (1787)

Meeting in Philadelphia initially to revise Articles, but instead created new Constitution.

Enlightenment ideas shape the Constitution

Locke → natural rights, Montesquieu → separation of powers, Rousseau → social contract.

Virginia Plan

Proposal for representation by population, bicameral legislature. Favored large states.

New Jersey Plan

Proposal for equal representation for each state, unicameral legislature. Favored small states.

Great Compromise (Connecticut Plan)

Combined both: bicameral legislature → House by population, Senate equal.

Bicameral

Two-house legislature (House + Senate).

Three-Fifths Compromise

3/5 of enslaved population counted for representation and taxation. Gave South more seats in House.

Slaves Compromise

Congress could not ban the international slave trade until 1808.

Electoral College

Indirect system of electing president; electors chosen by states, not direct popular vote.

Necessary & Proper Clause

rticle I, Section 8: gives Congress flexibility to make laws needed to carry out powers (“elastic clause”).

Commerce Clause

Article I, Section 8: Congress regulates interstate and foreign trade → expanded federal power over time.

Supremacy Clause

Article VI: Constitution and federal laws are supreme over state laws.

Policy Making

The process of developing laws, regulations, and government actions (Congress passes, President enforces, Courts interpret).

Ratification

Formal approval of Constitution or amendments; Constitution required 9/13 states.

Federalist Papers

85 essays defending Constitution, written by Hamilton, Madison, Jay under “Publius.”

Bill of Rights

First 10 amendments (1791) guaranteeing civil liberties like speech, press, religion, due process.