The Constitution

What is a Constitution?

Fundamental principles that guide the governments operations

What is the point of the preamble?

To provide a description of the mission of the government

What two tier system of governance was used for the colonies?

Local governance and parliament in england

What did Britain do that started to incite revolution in America?

Increase tax and limit colonists liberties

What did the sugar and stamp act tax?

The sugar act taxed all goods going into the colonies and the stamp act taxed all paper used for legal documents, ads, and newspapers

What was the first continental congress?

A meeting of delegates from all 13 colonies to develop a statement that would be sent to the king

What did the first continental congress create?

The declaration of rights and grievances and the articles of association

What are the articles of association?

A plan for the colonies to work together

What document was written by the Second Continental Congress? Who drafted it?

The declaration of independence, Thomas Jefferson

What are the natural rights?

Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness

What 4 principles did the declaration of independence put forth?

All men are equal, all men have natural rights, all governments must be based on the consent of the governed, If the government is not protecting peoples rights they have the right to abolish it

What is a republic?

A representative democracy

What are Bicameral Legislatures?

Legislatures that are composed of two chambers

What were the Articles of Confederation?

A document that would allow a unified authority to help with international affairs, trade, etc

What is a confederation?

A union of independent states in which each state maintains its sovereignty

What is a Unicameral Legislature?

Legislature with a single chamber

What were the states able to do under the Articles?

Raise money through taxes, settle legal conflicts,

What problems did the Articles face?

They couldn’t collect taxes and didn’t have enough power to do anything

What was the Constitutional Convention?

A meeting to address the defects of the Articles

What is dual sovereignty?

Governing authority is split between a central gov and regional gov

Why was dual sovereignty important to establish?

To gain support

What is the supremacy clause?

The laws created by the national gov are the supreme law of the land

What is the point of separation of power?

So one group doesn’t have control over all governing functions

What are checks and balances?

Each branch of gov can monitor and limit the functions of the other branches so no branch goes out of control

What was the Virginia plan?

A proposal for a 3 branch gov consisting of a bicameral legislature, an executive elected by congress, and a separate judiciary. Representation was based by population

What was the New Jersey plan?

A unicameral legislature with equal representation

How did the great compromise satisfy both parties?

Created a bicameral congress with the house being based on population while the senate has equal representation

How did the constitution deal with slavery?

They postponed the discussion until 1808

What is the 3/5ths compromise?

Each slave counts as 3/5ths of a free man

What do each of the 3 branches do?

The legislative branch can create laws, the executive branch ensures laws are faithfully executed, the judicial branch has the authority to resolve lawsuits arising under the constitution, national laws, and international treaties

What were the 2 sides fighting over ratifying the constitution?

Federalists, anti-federalists

What was the “bottom line” for anti-federalists?

The constitution threatened protection of citizens natural rights. Too much power given to the executive branch, too much federal power, and a lack of a bill of rights

What were the federalist papers?

Essays in the form of letters to convince the public to ratify the constitution

What is the bill of rights and why was it so important in getting the constitution ratified?

The bill of rights is a collection of 10 amendments that put limits on the governments right to infringe on the natural rights of life, which was of large concern.

How many votes are needed from each chamber in congress and from the states to ratify a new amendment?

2/3 of both houses and 3/4 of the states

What is judicial review?

The power of the courts to rule on whether acts of gov officials or bodies violate the constitution