unit 2 flashcards - the beginnings of the american government

when was the declaration of independence written/signed

july 4, 1776

who wrote the declaration of independence

thomas jefferson

who inspired the declaration of independence

john locke

key points of declaration of independence

• consent of the governed

• people created equal by god, unalienable rights

• abolish gov that doesn’t serve people

• national identity based on principles

articles of confederation

• first constitution

• got rid of it right away

  • gave the states too much power because they were afraid of a strong government

  • one legislative house, no other

  • no court system

  • one representative per state

virginia plan

• 3 branches of government

• 2 house legislature based off population

new jersey plan

• 3 branches of government

• 1 house legislature with one representative per state

connecticut compromise

• written by roger sherman

• 2 house legislature

  • 1 based on population

  • other with 2 representatives per state

3/5 compromise

every 5 slaves counted as 3 people, used for determining number of representatives based off population

views of federalists

• loose interpretation of constitution

• wanted a national bank

• high tariffs

• strong central government

views of anti-federalists

• strict interpretation of constitution

• wanted a bill of rights or no ratification

• afraid of a bank and tariffs

key federalists

james madison, alexander hamilton, john adams, george washington

key anti-federalists

thomas jefferson, james monroe, patrick henry

who wrote the constitution?

james madison

how many articles are in the constitution?

7

topic of article 1 of constitution

legislative brance

topic of article 2 of constitution

executive branch

topic of article 3 of constitution

judicial branch

topic of article 4 of constitution

relations between states

topic of article 5 of constitution

amending the constitution

topic of article 6 of constitution

national debt, supremacy clause, oaths of office

topic of article 7 of constitution

ratification

preamble

we the people of the united states in order to form a more perfect union establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity do ordain and establish this constitution for the united states of america

bill of rights

1. freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly and petition

2. right to bear arms

3. no quartering of soldiers

4. freedom from unreasonable search and seizure

5. right of due process of the law

6. rights of the accused

7. right to trial by jury

8. freedom from cruel and unusual punishment

9. other rights not here

10. powers reserved for the states

how many amendments were added?

17

important additional amendments

13-15: slavery

16: income tax

18: prohibition

19: women vote

21: repeal 18

22: 2 terms for president

24: 18 to vote

2 stages of amending the constitution

proposal and ratification stage

proposal stage

need 2/3 vote

ratification stage

need ¾ vote

popular sovereignty

all political power resides with the people

limited government

no government is all powerful, it should only do what it has to do

rule of law

no one is above the law

separation of powers

power divided into 3 branches, independent and co-equal

checks and balances

overlapping powers to check each other’s actions

veto

president’s power to reject a bill

judicial review

constitutionally of government action

unconstitutional

law is illegal, null or void

federalism

system of government that divides powers between national and state governments

3 powers of the federal government

expressed, implied and inherent

powers denied by the federal government

levy taxes on imports, take private property, prohibit freedoms

powers of the states

school system, police force, regulate local laws

powers denied of the states

anything in amendments, coin own money, tax federal agencies