Civics Chapter 3

Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation

Congress had no power to tax or regulate trade. Laws required 9 states to pass; amendments needed unanimous consent. No national court system or executive branch. Laws passed by Congress could not be enforced. Very weak central government with limited authority.

Daniel Shay

Farmer who led Shay's Rebellion (armed protest) against state tax collections and foreclosures. Highlighted the need for a stronger national government and law/order.

Virginia Plan

Bicameral legislature, representation based on population, strong central government.

New Jersey Plan

Unicameral legislature, each state one vote, expanded powers for Congress but less central power.

The Great Compromise

Bicameral Congress with Senate (equal representation) and House (population-based).

3/5s Compromise

Every 5 slaves counted as 3 persons for representation and taxation.

Other Compromise

Congress could regulate trade but would not tax exports or ban slave trade before 1808.

Electoral College

Delegates select president/vice president; voters choose electors today.

Preamble

States the goals and purposes (form union, justice, peace, defense, welfare, liberty).

Articles of the Constitution

7 total: Legislative branch powers and structure, Executive branch powers and election, Judicial branch powers, Relations between states and federal government, Amendment process, Supremacy Clause (Constitution is supreme law), Ratification process.

Purpose of the Preamble

To outline the goals of the Constitution: Form a more perfect union, Establish justice, Insure domestic tranquility, Provide for common defense, Promote general welfare, Secure blessings of liberty for present and future generations.

Article I

Legislative branch (Congress).

Article II

Executive branch (President, VP).

Article III

Judicial branch (Supreme Court, lower courts).

Article IV

State and federal government relations.

Article V

Amendment process.

Article VI

Supremacy Clause.

Article VII

Ratification of Constitution.

Formal Amendment Process

Proposal by two-thirds vote in Congress or national convention by two-thirds of states. Ratification by three-fourths of state legislatures or conventions.

Informal Amendment Process

Presidential actions (e.g., executive orders), Judicial interpretation by courts, Congressional actions (implied powers). Example: 25th Amendment clarifies presidential succession.

Branches of Government

Legislative: Makes laws, controls budget, approves appointments, can impeach. Executive: Enforces laws, commander-in-chief, makes treaties, appoints officials. Judicial: Interprets laws, ensures laws are constitutional, rules on disputes.

Popular Sovereignty

Power resides with the people (republicanism).

Limited Government and Rule of Law

Government only acts within law; laws apply to all.

Separation of Powers

Divides government into legislative, executive, judicial branches (Montesquieu).

Checks and Balances

Each branch limits the powers of others to prevent tyranny.

Federalism

Division of power between national and state governments.

Enumerated Powers

Specifically listed in Constitution; belong to federal government.

Reserved Powers

Powers reserved for the states (e.g., schools, marriage laws).

Concurrent Powers

Shared by both federal and state governments (e.g., taxation, courts).

Supremacy Clause

Found in Article VI. Constitution, federal laws, and treaties are the supreme law of the land.

War with Britain

The conflict that led to the need for new local governments after independence.

Colonies / States

Former British colonies that became independent states with their own constitutions.

Constitutions

Written plans outlining how a government is organized and operates.

Legislature

The branch of government that makes laws.

Governor

The chief executive officer of a state, responsible for enforcing laws.

Courts

Judicial bodies that interpret laws and administer justice.

Bill of Rights

A list of basic freedoms and protections guaranteed to citizens.

New Hampshire

The first colony to organize as a state and write a constitution (January 1776).

Bicameral

A legislature consisting of two houses or parts.

State Governments

Governments organized at the state level with legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

Governor's Duty

To carry out and enforce the laws.

Court System

The network of courts that interprets and applies laws.

Judges

Officials who decide what laws mean and how to apply them.

Trial by Jury

The right to have a group of peers decide the outcome of a legal case.

Protection of Personal Property

Legal safeguards for individuals' belongings.

Confederation

A group of independent state governments united for a common purpose.

Ratify

To approve formally.

Articles of Confederation

The first constitution of the United States creating a 'league of friendship' among states.

Confederation Congress

The one-house legislature under the Articles where each state had one vote.

Weaknesses of Articles

Required 9 states to pass laws, unanimous consent for amendments, no enforcement power, no taxation power.

Ordinances

Local laws, often for cities or counties.

Ordinance of 1785

Law setting rules for surveying and selling land in townships.

Northwest Ordinance of 1787

Established government for Northwest Territory and banned slavery there.

Treaty of Paris (1783)

Ended Revolutionary War between America and England.

National Debt

Money owed by the country after the war.

State Debt

Money owed by individual states, leading to heavy taxation.

Trade Slowdown

Economic decline due to taxed imported goods and reduced sales.

Shay's Rebellion

Armed uprising led by farmer Daniel Shay protesting unfair taxes and debt collection.

Constitutional Convention

1787 meeting where delegates revised Articles and created new Constitution.

Delegates

Representatives from states who attended the convention.

Secrecy

The convention's discussions were kept private.

Lack of Power and Money

Congress couldn't tax, regulate trade, or enforce laws.

Lack of Central Power

No single leader or national courts existed.

Rules too Rigid

Laws required 9 states' approval; amendments required unanimity.

Three-Fifths Compromise

Counting each five slaves as three persons for representation and taxation.

Other Compromises

Congress regulates trade but won't tax exports or ban slave trade before 1808.

Federalists

Supporters of the Constitution who favored a strong national government.

Anti-Federalists

Opponents of the Constitution who wanted protections for individual rights.

Constitution

The supreme law and plan for government in the U.S.

Articles

The seven main sections outlining government structure and powers.

Amendments

Changes or additions to the Constitution.

Form a More Perfect Union

Goal to unite states into a stronger nation.

Establish Justice

Ensure fairness and equality under the law.

Insure Domestic Tranquility

Maintain peace within the country.

Provide for the Common Defense

Protect the country from external threats.

Promote the General Welfare

Support citizens' well-being.

Secure Blessings of Liberty

Protect freedoms for current and future generations.

Informal Amendments

Changes through presidential actions, court rulings, or congressional laws.

25th Amendment

Clarifies presidential succession.

Necessary and Proper Clause

Allows Congress to make laws required to carry out its powers.

Implied Powers

Powers not explicitly listed but necessary for government function.

Loose Interpretation

Belief Congress can make laws not forbidden by Constitution.

Strict Interpretation

Belief Congress should only make laws explicitly stated.

Supreme Court

Final authority on interpreting the Constitution.

Sovereignty

The right to rule.

Limited Government

Government only has powers granted by the people.

Rule of Law

Everyone, including leaders, must follow the law.

electoral college

A group of representatives selected by each state to formally elect the President and Vice President of the United States.

treaty of paris

The agreement that ended the Revolutionary War between the United States and Great Britain in 1783, recognizing American independence and establishing borders.

supremacy clause

The clause in the US Constitution that states federal law takes precedence over state law, ensuring that national laws are the supreme law of the land.

inumerated

powers specifically listed in the Constitution that outline the authority of Congress and the federal government.

reserved

powers that are not granted to the federal government by the Constitution, and are therefore reserved for the states or the people.

implied

powers not explicitly stated in the Constitution but necessary for the government to carry out its functions.

concurrent

powers that are shared by both the federal and state governments, allowing them to legislate and regulate in specific areas.