Studied by 28 people
Articles of Confederation
First national constitution of the united states that created a weak national government, which proved to be ineffective
Shay's Rebellion
Protest to perceive the unjust economic policies and political corruption of the Massachusetts's state legislature
Northwest Ordinance of 1787
chartered a government for the Northwest Territory, provided a method for admitting new states to the Union from the territory, and listed a bill of rights guaranteed in the territory.
Consitution
the body of fundamental laws setting out the principles, structures, and processes of a government
Great Compromise
Compromise made by Constitutional Convention in which states would have equal representation in one house of the legislature and representation based on population in the other house
3/5 Compromise
3/5th of the slaves would be counted as people in representation
Trade Compromise
Congress couldn't tax exports and couldn't end slave trade for 20 years
Federalist vs. Anti-Federalist
those who favored the Constitution (strong national government) vs. those who opposed the Constitution (threat to individual rights)
Ratification
Formal approval, final consent to the effectiveness of a constitution, constitutional amendment, or treaty
federalism
a political system in which power is divided between national and state gov.
separation of power
government principle in which power is divided among different branches
Checks and Balances
a system in which each branch of government is able to check, or restrain, the power of the others
legislative
makes laws, approves presidential appointments, has 2 senators from each state, contains house; senate, congress
How does a bill become a law?
It has to be passed by both houses, voted on, and the president has to sign off on it
Executive Branch
Enforces laws, signs laws, vetoes laws, pardons people, appoints federal judges.
Cabinet
responsible for the day to day enforcement and administration of federal laws
judicial
decides if all laws are constitutional, appointed by the president, a judge can also overturn rulings by other judges
supreme court
Interprets the laws, decides if law is relevant to a particular set of facts, rules how law is applied
veto
power of the chief executive to reject laws passed by the legislature
Process of Amending the Constitution
Amendment proposed by 2/3 of both houses of Congress Amendment ratified by 3/4 vote of all state legislatures
Bill of rights
The first ten amendments to the Constitution
first amendment
5 freedoms: speech, press, religion, assembly, petition
Not protected by the first amendment
Defamation, obscenity, seditious speech
Political Parties in the 1790s
Federalists vs. Democratic-Republicans
Washington's Farewell Address
Warned Americans not to get involved in European affairs, not to make permanent alliances, not to form political parties and to avoid sectionalism.
House of Representatives Qualifications
25 years old, citizen for 7 years, resident of state
House of Representatives how elected
Every 2 years People directly vote Accountable to the people
House of Representatives Powers
Revenue bills must start in the house
House of Reps. Power checked? Can check other branches powers?
Can impeach pres./justices
Senate Qualifications
30 years of age, 9 year US citizen, Inhabitant of state represented.
SENATE: How Often Elected
state legislatures choose senators -every 6 years -stable -1/3 senate turns over
House of Representatives powers
Sole power to try impediment 2/3 confirm treaty advice/ consent: judges, ambassadors
House of Rep. Power checked? Check other branches power?
-can try ( and convict) on impeachments -check pres. and treaties and appointments
President qualifications
35 years old, 14 years resident, natural born citizen
President how often elected
Every 4 years Elected college
President Powers
-commander and chief -upholds laws/ const. appointments/s.c Can pardon/ veto
President power checked?
Appoints justices Can veto
Supreme Court Qualifications
None Usually lawyers
Supreme Court members how elected
appointed by president (can by senate) Life time
Supreme court powers
Find state + fed laws Unconstitutional (judicial review)
Supreme Court Powers check?
can be impeached Find laws/ executive order unconstitutional
Loose or strict construction: Hamilton
He believed that the constitution should be loosened and believed that a national bank was necessary
Loose or strict construction: Jefferson
He believed that the constitution should be strict and that boundaries shall be kept
Urban vs. Rural: Hamilton
He believed urbanism should be supported due to it's ability to give inventors outlets for their genius and to give people entrepreneur opportunities
Urban vs. Rural: Jefferson
He believed a rural lifestyle is needed to grow the future of a republic for a nurtured farm like and low density living and that farmers embody American virtue
The Virtue of the People: Hamilton
He believed the nature of the people were selfish and sinful and were filled with greed rather than virtue
The Virtue of the People: Jefferson
He believed that people make mistakes, but trusting one another is quite reliable and humans have room to correct themselves
2nd Amendment
Right to bear arms
3rd Amendment
Quartering of soldiers
4th amendment
unreasonable searches and seizures
5th amendment
due process of law
6th amendment
the right to a fair trail
7th amendment
trail by jury in civil cases
8th amendment
cruel and unusable punishments
9th amendment
Non-Enumerated Rights
10th Amendment
states rights
National Powers
-declare war
-admit new states
-establish post offices
-coin money
(ONLY 4!)
state powers
-establish and maintain schools -make marriage laws -provide for public safety -establish local governments (ONLY 4!)
Shared laws between Nation and State
Maintain law and order Levy taxes Borrow money Charter banks Establish courts Provide for public welfare
What is a landmark case
A U.S. Supreme Court case that marks a significant change in the interpretation of the Constitution.
electoral college
A group of people named by each state legislature to select the president and vice president
How many members are in senate
100
How many members in House of Rep.
435 members
How many cabinet departments are there
15
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