Studied by 68 PeopleTags & Description
Bicameral
A legislature consisting of two parts, or houses
Unicameral
One-house legislature
Ratify
to approve
Confederation
A joining of several groups for a common purpose.
Federalism
A system in which power is divided between the national and state governments
article
Amending the Constitution
Amendment
A change to the Constitution
Republicanism
A form of government in which people elect representatives to create and enforce laws
Supremacy Clause
Constitution is the supreme law of the land
Elastic Clause (Necessary and Proper Clause)
a statement in the U.S. Constitution granting Congress the power to pass all laws necessary and proper for carrying out the enumerated list of powers.
Declaration of Independence 4 sections
Preamble
Declaration of Natural Rights
List of Grievances
Resolution
What was the purpose of the Declaration of Independence?
To declare independence from Great Britain. But to also say how their new country was going to be run and the reasons why they were leaving Great Britain.
Articles of Confederation Structure
no strong central government
no national court system
no president or king
set of rules that the gov. could and could not do
13 states had to vote for something to be passed (unicameral)
2-7 delegates but one vote per state
Articles of Confederation weaknesses
-weak union (central gov.) -no taxes imposed -could not regulate trade -no courts or President
What congress could do under the Articles of Confederation
Borrow money from states -Declare war -maintain military -make treaties and alliances -coin money -negotiate with natives -post office -settle disputes among states
Things Congress Couldn't do under the Articles of confederation
-could NOT levy or collet taxes -could NOT regulate trade -could NOT enforce the law -could NOT pass a law -could NOT require states to provide money for national government -could NOT amend articles without unanimous consent
Northwest Ordinance of 1787
Created the Northwest Territory (area north of the Ohio River and west of Pennsylvania), settlers were allowed to appoint judges and legislature when population was high enough. Eventually gain statehood.
Land Ordinance of 1785
A law that set up a plan for surveying western lands and distributing lands to settlers.
The Virginia Plan
The bicameral structured plan was proposed by large states. It would have a strong national government. It would have a bicameral legislature where the lower is chosen by the people, and the upper is chosen by the lower. Strong executive and national judiciary by the legislature. The government would have more power but be run by the people.
The New Jersey Plan
unicameral legislature where all the states had one vote. There would be a weak executive with more than one person, also a national judiciary with limited power.
Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise)
Bicameral legislature: House of Rep bases on population, Senate with equal representation.
congress could impose taxes
electoral college
president = 4 year term
Three-Fifths Compromise
Agreement that each slave counted as three-fifths of a person in determining representation in the House for representation and taxation purposes
Compromise on Trade
Federal government could control interstate commerce
congress would not ban slave trade until 1808
congress could not impose export taxes
Federalists
supporters of the Constitution - Hamilton
Anti-Federalists
people who opposed the Constitution - Jefferson
Federalist Papers Ideas
if they don't go through with this they will cease to exist
people are being mislead
pursue the government for life liberty and property
lose rights to other countries
tear each other apart.
Anti-Federalist Papers
articles were not strong enough but the constitution is too strong
central government will become too strong
the new government wouldn't have limits
government can't properly address individual needs
What did the federalists and anti-federalist both say about each other
the other group just wanted to have power and that the future generations will hate the decision you make
Structure of the Constitution
Preamble, 7 articles, 27 amendments
Preamble to the Constitution
to unit the states to make one single nation
make sure all citizens are created equally
to provide peace and order
to be military ready to protect the country
to help people live healthy, happy, and prosperous lives
guarantee basic rights of all Americans
7 articles of the constitution
I. Legislative Branch II. Executive Branch III. Judicial Branch IV. Relationship between states and governments V. Process of Amending VI. Declares constitution as supreme law of the land VII. How to ratify
27 amendments to the Constitution
Bill of rights (amendments 1-10) Other amendments later on
1st Principle of the Constitution
Popular Sovereignty - Republicanism
We the People
popular sovereignty
2nd Principle of the Constitution
limited government
enumerated/expressed powers
3rd Principles of the Constitution
Federalism
Powers and clauses
4th Principle of the Constitution
Seperation of power
3 branches (Legislative, Executive, Judicial)
5th Principle of the Constitution
checks and balances
3 branches have some control over the other ones so no one gets too much power
6th Principle of the Constitution
individual rights (Bill of Rights)
given specific rights in constitution
freedom of speech, religion, bear arms etc.
Enumerated/Expressed Powers
the powers explicitly granted to Congress by the Constitution
implied powers
Powers not specifically mentioned in the constitution but the government can use this power to carry out their enumerated powers
concurrent powers
Powers held jointly by the national and state governments. (Taxes)
reserved powers
Powers given to the state government alone (Marriage)
Structure of Legislative Branch
Bicameral: House of Representatives and Senate Makes the Laws
Structure of the Executive Branch
President, Vice President, Cabinet carries out the laws
Structure of the Judicial Branch
District courts on the lower level, then the U.S. Court of Appeals and other special courts, and above them the Supreme Court. Interprets the Laws
What did the federalist and anti federalist both want?
preservation of the union
magna carta
the royal charter of political rights given to rebellious English barons by King John in 1215 - Leaders must obey the laws, established limited government, prevent unjust punishment, popular vote - base line for our constitution and structure of government
English Bill of Rights - 1689
-no absolute monarchy - constitutional monarch -parliament consent to suspend laws, levy tax, maintain army -monarchs cannot interfere with parliament debates or election -people had right to petition and fair and speedy trial -no cruel or unusual punishment of excessive fines/trials
This parallels our government, rights as individuals were protected
Enlightenment - 16-1700s
-challenged government with natural -social contract -people decided to go back to reason instead of following religion -gained separation of powers, individual property rights, freedom of speech and religion
this formed a colonial government - 1620