Constitutional Convention of Philadelphia
The meeting held in May 1787 to revise the Articles of Confederation but the delagates ended up rewriting the entire document.
George Washington
"Father of the United States"
Led the Continental Army in the American Revolution
1st president of the United States
Bicameral legislature
A legislature that is made up of TWO houses
Virginia Plan
a blueprint to the U.S. Constitution that included the bicameral legislature; where representation was based on population in both houses
James Madison
Who presented the Virginia Plan? (Father of the U.S. Constitution)
New Jersey Plan
Plan that favored smaller states and created a government that included a unicameral legislature where each state was equally represented (each state has one vote).
The Great Compromise
This is also known as the Conneticut Compromise. Created a bicameral legislature, where representation was based on population (House of Representatives) and each state was given equal representation in the other house (Senate)
3/5ths Compromise
A compromise made among the states that said that every 5 slaves would count as 3 people when counting for representation purposes
Electoral College
The process in which the president and vice president are elected by the states
Supremacy Clause
Part of Article VI that state that federal laws are supreme to state and local laws
Treason
The only crime outline by the Constitution
When a person betays their country
Federalism
A system of government in which powers of government are divivded between the national and state governments (some are shared)
Seperation of Powers
Powers are divided among 3 seperate but equal beanches of government
Checks and Balances
Each branch is allowed to check, or limit, the other branches to avoid a tyranny
Bill of Rights
a statement of fundamental rights and privileges added to the Constitution as a compromise between Federalists and Anti-Federalists to protect individual rights (Amendments 1-10)
Federelists Papers
A series of anonymously published essays that support the ratification of the U.S. Constitution
Legislative>Executive
The power to impeach or remove a President from office
Executive>Legislative
The power to veto the laws passed by Congress
Executive>Judicial
Pardon convicted criminals
Judicial>Executive
Delcare President's actions to be unconstitutional
Legislative>Judicial
Reject or comfirm Presidential nominations for judicial position
Judicial>Legislative
Declare laws to be uncostitutional
Delegated/Enumerated/Expressed Powers
Federal Powers
Maintain an army
Make money
Declare war
Borders and immigration
Post offices
Make treaties
Concurrent Powers
Shared powers
Collect tax
Borrow money
Make laws
Make roads
Establish courts
Reserved Powers
State Powers
Establish schools
Licensure
Conduct elections
Healths
Regulate marriages
No treaties
No judicial branch
No executive branch
Federal government was too weak
Examples of flaws with the Articles of Confederation
August 29, 1786
When did Shay's rebellion take place?
massachusetts
Where did Shay's rebellion take place?
Farmers and committee leaders
Who was involved in Shay's rebellion
Farmers were protesting against economic policies during the meeting with the committee leaders, who were discussing the new government, and formed a riot.
What happened in Shay's rebellion?
Explained how weak the Articles of Confederation are and how giving too much democratic power to the lower classes could threaten private poverty.
Significance of Shay's Rebellion
Preamble and seven articles that explains the new government and its rules.
What is in the U.S. Constitution
Part of the Constitution that desribes it's purpose
Preamble:
Legislative branch; the qualifications needed for the house of representative and the senate
Article I
Executive branch; presidential qualifications and powers granted
Article II
Judicial branch; cases heard by federal court
Article III
States/Full faith and credit clause
Article IV
How to Amend the Consitution
Article V
Supremacy Clause/Federal Supremacy
Article VI
Ratifications
Article VII
Amendments
Bill of Rights/Changes to the Constitution