History- US Constitution study Guide

Early Government

Components (How many branches?Goal of the new system?)

The US Constitution establishes three branches of government: the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. The goal of this system is to create a framework for government that ensures a separation of powers and a system of checks and balances.

Federal Power vs. State Power

The division of authority between the national government and state governments, where certain powers are reserved for states while others are granted to the federal government.

Main weaknesses (ie. only one branch, fed gov’t could not require taxes)

The main weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation included having only one legislative branch, which limited effective governance, and the inability of the federal government to impose taxes, leading to financial instability.

Land Ordinance- purpose and breakdown into townships, public school

The Land Ordinance of 1785 aimed to organize and distribute land in the western territories of the United States. It established a system of surveying land into townships, which were then divided into sections, with a portion set aside for public schools.

Northwest Ordinance- basic rules for changing territories into future states

The Northwest Ordinance established a framework for governance and admission of new states from the Northwest Territory. It set guidelines for creating new states, including requirements for population and governance, and emphasized the importance of education and civil liberties.

Shays Rebellion (what happened? How did it lead to calling for a Constitutional Convention?)

Shays' Rebellion was an armed uprising in 1786-1787 by Massachusetts farmers, led by Daniel Shays, protesting economic injustices and the lack of government response to their financial struggles. The rebellion highlighted the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation, prompting calls for a Constitutional Convention to create a stronger federal government.

Constitutional Convention

• Where did it take place? Who led the convention?

• 5 Main Compromises

The Constitutional Convention took place in Philadelphia in 1787, led by George Washington. Five main compromises included the Great Compromise, the Three-Fifths Compromise, the Commerce Compromise, the Electoral College, and the Bill of Rights.

NJ Plan vs. VA Plan= Great Compromise

The New Jersey Plan and Virginia Plan were proposals for the structure of the US government, with the Great Compromise establishing a bicameral legislature combining both plans. This compromise balanced representation between populous and smaller states.

3/5

Compromise that counted enslaved individuals as three-fifths of a person for representation and taxation purposes.

Slave Trade

The Slave Trade refers to the historical practice of capturing, transporting, and selling enslaved Africans primarily to the Americas, which fueled the economy and led to significant social and political conflicts in the United States.

Commerce

The Commerce Compromise was an agreement during the Constitutional Convention that allowed Congress to regulate interstate and international commerce while prohibiting any tax on exports.

Electoral College

A body of electors established by the Constitution to elect the President and Vice President of the United States, balancing the influence of populous states with smaller ones.

Federalist vs. Anti-Federalists- characteristics of each

Federalists supported a strong central government and the ratification of the Constitution, while Anti-Federalists favored states' rights and opposed the Constitution without a Bill of Rights.

Federalist Papers and Authors- purpose

A series of 85 articles and essays written to promote the ratification of the United States Constitution, authored primarily by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay.

Bill of Rights- why was it added to Constitution/ understanding basic rights protected

The Bill of Rights was added to the Constitution to ensure the protection of individual liberties and to address the concerns of Anti-Federalists who feared a strong central government would infringe upon personal freedoms. It consists of the first ten amendments, safeguarding rights such as freedom of speech, religion, and the press.

Be familiar with rights granted for each (amendments 1-10)

The first ten amendments to the Constitution, known as the Bill of Rights, guarantee essential freedoms and protections for individuals against government infringement.

3 Branches of Government

• Roles of each

• Key positions (ie. President, Senate, House of Reps,)

The three branches of government are the Legislative, Executive, and Judicial branches. The Legislative branch makes laws (Congress), the Executive branch enforces laws (President), and the Judicial branch interprets laws (Supreme Court). Key positions include the President, Senators, and Representatives.

3 Branches of Government

• Checks and balances (veto, judicial review, 2/3 majority vote)

The system of checks and balances ensures that no branch of government becomes too powerful. It allows each branch to limit the powers of the others, exemplified by the President's veto power, the Supreme Court's ability to conduct judicial review, and the requirement for a two-thirds majority vote in Congress to override a presidential veto.

Federal power

refers to the authority and responsibilities granted to the national government by the Constitution, which is distinct from state powers.

State power

refers to the authority and responsibilities reserved for state governments by the Constitution, allowing them to legislate and govern within their own territories.