unit 1 ap gov

direct democracy

rule by the people themselves; each person is sovereign

indirect democracy

representative; ruled by elective representatives

founder's distrust of direct democracy

rich, white men; elitists; only wanted rich white men to rule; thought direct democracy was impractical; thought people had fleeting passions: people change their mind, average people can be swayed by outside influences (average joe)

fundamental democratic values

popular sovereignty (people rule); respect for the individual (state [government] serves individual not vice versa; liberty; equality (ironic because rich white men ruling government)

fundamental democratic processes

1. fair and free elections

2. majority rule with minority rights (fear tyranny of the majority --\> led to property rights), majority will rule, but minority will be heard

3. freedom of expression - right to vote (1787 rich whites only)

4. right to assemble and protest

fundamental democratic structures

federalism (the relationship between the national and regional government (states)

separation of powers

legislative - makes law

executive - enforces law

judicial - interprets law

checks and balances

branches check on each other, no one gets all the power

constitutionalism

something written that talks about the law

magna carta

great charter; property rights

petition of rights

property rights; 1628; limit to king

english bill of rights

1689; property rights; limits to king; due process - objective decision, right to a fair trial

declaration of independence

1776

articles of confederation

1777

shays' rebellion

1786 - shows need for a stronger national government

write the constitution

1787

english philosophers

locke, hobbes, montesquieu, rosseau

sources of the constitution: colonial experiences

power in money, power of the purse

constitutional convention

The convention in Philadelphia, May 25 to September 17, 1787, that framed the Constitution of the United States

o Delegates

• Educated, rich families, fat (wealth), married and property owners, settled

o Participants

• Madison: "Father of the Constitution" because of leadership and detailed notes of proceedings

• Washington: presiding officer → because he won the war

• Franklin: "elder statesman"

• Wisest

• Hamilton: most forceful advocate for strong central government

articles of confederation characteristics

weak central government, no power to tax, no chief executive, no national judiciary, no power to regulate interstate or foreign commerce (business, trade, money), no national currency

areas of agreement during constitutional convention

• Get rid of the Articles

• Establish a republican government

• Establish a balanced government where no single interest dominated

• Suffrage (voting rights) for property owners only

• Stronger central government than under the articles

• Protection of property rights: the main purpose of govt.

• Keep proceedings secret

• Didn't want people to revolt

Virginia plan

population-based representation

New Jersey Plan

equal representation

great compromise

a bicameral legislature with a popularly elected House (based on population) and a Senate (equal representation) elected by state legislatures

o Congress

representation and taxation of slaves

• Northern states wanted slaves to count for taxation

• Southern states wanted the opposite

o Wanted them to be counted for representation

3/5 compromise

3/5 of the slaves would count for both purposes \= equal representation among north and south

election of president

four year term

• Method of election

o Some wanted election by Congress

o Some wanted election by state legislatures

o Some wanted direct election

o Compromise: Electoral College system

• Can win the presidency without getting the popular vote

federalists

o Supporters of ratifying constitution: People that supported: property owners, creditors, merchants → money

o Views

• Elites most fit to govern

• Feared "excesses" of democracy

• Favored strong central government

o Leaders: Hamilton, Madison, Washington

anti-federalists

did not want ratification of constitution

o Supporters: small farmers, frontiersman, debtors, shopkeepers

o Views

• Feared a concentration of power in hands of elites

• Believed government should be closer to the people (direct democracy)

• Feared a strong central government

• Feared the lack of Bill of Rights → strongest argument

federalist advantages

o Had money

o Better represented in state legislators

o Controlled the press

o Began ratification process before the anti-federalist could get organized

o Agreed to a Bill of Rights after ratification of the Constitution

federalist papers

o Write 100+ persuasive essays for the state of New York

o Want to rally support for ratification of the constitution

ratification 1788

state ratification conventions of popularly elected delegates

separation of powers

• Legislative - makes law

• Executive - enforce law

• Judicial - interpret law

o To Madison, tyranny was controlled by these three branches of government → division of power

o Diffuses power rather than concentrating on it

o Colonial experiences, esp. excessive power in state legislatures → need for strong executive

o Danger of one branch combining forces with another branch → checks and balances

checks and balances

• 18th century view of government as something to be restrained, and modern view of government as something to be used for common good

• Fear of tyranny among Founders → distrust of government → checks of balances as means of intentionally building inefficiency in order to prevent government abuse of power

• System of restraints in which each branch checks the other two

o Veto, veto override

• President can veto - not sign

• Congress can override that veto

o Appointment and confirmation

• President appoints cabinet and judges, congress confirms appointments

o Treaty making and ratification

• President makes treaties, congress ratifies

o Defense funding and Commander in chief

• President needs money from congress to carry out military

political independence within each branch

o No branch is dependent on the other two for election (except judges are appointed by president) and continuance in office (life terms for judges is key to presidential influence)

• Judges can stay in office as presidents change

staggering terms within each branch

• Staggering terms within each branch → a majority of voters can gain control over one part of government at one time, midterm congressional elections (house of representatives) can serve as a check on the executive

o Voters can switch things up