U.S. History: The Critical Period

Newburgh Conspiracy

According to this plan, the officers intended to force Congress and the states to grant their back pay; George Washington diffused the situation, and the plan collapsed

6 purposes of the constitution

1. Form a more perfect union

2. Establish justice

3. domestic tranquility

4. common defense

5. general welfare

6. Secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity

5 principles of the constitution

Popular Sovereignty

Limited Government

Federalism

Separation of Powers

Checks and Balances

Article I, Section 8

The government can only do those powers which are given to it.

President

Has all executive power

sumpreme court

The judicial branch, purpose is to interpret and apply the law.

Full Faith and Credit Clause

Each state has to honor what the other states do.

Extradtion

Accused returns to the state of their crime.

Sumpreme Law of the Land

Constitution, no one is above the law.

Ratification

The action of signing or giving formal consent to a treaty, contract, or agreement, making it officially valid.

Federalist

Wanted the constitution to be ratified.

Anti-Federalists

Opposed ratification of the constitution.

5 important people at the constitution convention

1. George Washington

2. James Madison

3. William Paterson

4. Roger Sherman

5. Alexander Hamilton

The main topic of each article of the constitution

I. legislation

II. executive

III. judicial

IV. interstate relations

V. amendment

VI. supremacy clause

VII. ratification

Preamble

Introduction to the Constitution

Articles of Confederation

The first plan of government for the United States. It constituted a unicameral national legislature, a weak national government, and strong state governments.

Shay's Rebellion

An insurrection of farmers against the courts in the western part of Massachusetts led by Daniel Shays; an uprising crushed by the militia.

Continental dollars

Paper money issued by the continental congress to finance the Revolution. Lacking tax revenues to back it up, this money depreciated rapidly. By mid-1781, it was literally worthless, but it had served its purpose by helping Congress conduct the war for six years

Bicameral

A legislature consisting of two parts, or houses

Federlist Papers

Written to help convince people of the constitution and gain support for it. (put in newspapers)

.Daniel Shays

Head of Shay's Rebellion; he and several other angry farmers violently protested against debtor's jail; eventually crushed; aided in the creation of a constitution because land owners now wanted to preserve what was theirs from "mobocracy"

Thomas Jefferson

Was in the middle of the federalists and the anti-federalists (was neutral)

Publius

The people, Federalist papers

Geroge Washington

Presiding officer of the Constitution.

James Madison

"Father of the Constitution," a Federalist leader, from Virginia proposes a new plan that favors bigger states.

William Paterson

From new jersey, fought for smaller states.

Roger Sherman

From Connecticut, proposed the Great Compromise (the solution to the representation problem.

Alexander Hamilton

From New York, Washington's chief of staff, wanted a strong central government.

Popular Sovereignty

Ultimate decision making is in the hands of the people.

Limited Government

The U.S. government can only do those powers given to it. (Article 1 Section 8)

Separation of Powers

3 branches of government: Judicial-applies the law, executive-executes the law, and legislative-makes the law.

Checks and Balances

Each branch of government has the power to check, or limit, the actions of the other two. (The executive branch can veto and Congress has the money)

Federalism

Most powers are held by the state government and some powers are given to the national government by the states. (traffic laws and schools)