gov test unit 1

Enlightenment Thinkers

Locke: autonomy and the right to rebel

Hobbes

advocated for a strong central authority

Rosseau

introduced the idea of the general will

Montesquieu

proposed the theory of separation of powers

Key Enlightenment Ideas

Reason

Natural laws

regulating human society

Progress

improving society through the discovery of laws of government

Liberty

intellectual and social freedom

Toleration

opposing superstition, intolerance, and bigotry

Power and authority

the influence and right to use power

Legitimacy

the need for power to be justified

Political Forces that Influence Founders

English common law

Constitution

limits the government and defines its powers

Judeo-Christian heritage

supports democratic principles

Republicanism

elected representatives make decisions

Civil liberties

protection from government interference

Capitalism

enables economic property and individual wealth

Flaws of Articles of Confederation

Weak national government with no power to levy taxes

No executive or judicial branches

Inability to regulate trade or establish a uniform currency

Shays Rebellion highlighted the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation

Shays Rebellions

Causes - there was an increase in tax that the farmer could not pay -→ foreclosures -→ they got mad and formed a rebellion

protests, court shutdowns, and armed conflicts

since congress did not have the power to form a militia and get rid of the rebels -→ they realized that this could happen again -→ the revelation that the articles of confederation are weak

In Philly to revise the AOC

the discussions were over

human nature to be selfish and love of money

equal representation in gov population based representation

slavery

the purpose of gov - the preservation of property

the fear of an over powerful gov

agreements at AOC

gov should be limited and power should be divided

the need for checks and balances

new jersey plan

unicameral gov \n equal representation

Virginia plan

bicameral legislature \n representation based on state population

controversy during the convention of the AOC

issues of slavery, representation of congress and the proportional rep vs equal rep

compromise of AOC

bicameral legislature

house: proportional representation of population

senate: equal representation of population

house

proportional representation of population

senate

equal representation of population

the consequences of the separation of power compromise

the 10 most populated states have 20 senators representing 53% of the population

the 10 least populated states have 20 senators representing 3% of the population

3/5 compromise argument

southern view - slaves should count towards the population in order to get more representation in the gov

northern view

how can property(slaves) count as part of the pop but you not pay for it because they are not considered "people" - if they are to be represented in congress then the taxes should reflect that - opposed to southern view

3/5 compromise

3/5 of all other persons and free persons count as representation and the same would go for the taxes - tax by population

consequences of the 3/5 compromise

temporarily diffuses tensions -→ the matter over slavery was not solved until the 13th amendment

Antifederalists

favored strong state government and called for a bill of rights - decentralized gov

Federalists

favored strong national government and defended the constitution

Economic Decisions Priorities

strong gov was needed to Promote Growth and protect private property

congress was given power to

obtain revenue through taxing

pay debts

coin money and regulate its value

regulate interstate and foreign commerce

establish uniform laws of bankruptcy

punish counterfeiting

establish post offices and post roads

Separation of Power

legislative branch - made up of the house and the senate

executive branch - the president and the electoral college

judicial branch - supreme court and all smaller courts

to prevent tyranny

Checks and Balances

congress can make laws but the president can veto it

congress can veto laws if 2/3 of the house says yes

senate must ratify the treaties the president negotiates

the pres. has power to negotiate and nominate judges to the supreme court but the senate has advice and consent power

the supreme court can use judicial review to declare laws unconstitutional

congress can propose an amendment to reverse supreme court rulings

the house has impeachment rights but the senate does the trial

consequences of checks and balances

the 3 branches are not independent

the change is slow and a compromise is sometimes harder to reach

irresponsible majorities in one branch can be restrained

irresponsible majorities in one branch can be restrained

safe guards are important

an insulated senate

senate was bulwark against irresponsible majorities in the house and check popular passions

federal elections and midterm elections and senate is elected for 6 years (1/3 of it)

senate is a continuous body and state legislators choose other senators

independent judiciary

judges serve for life, are appointed by the press and insulate from popular control

indirectly elected president

not elected by popular vote but by the electoral college

electoral college used to choose “distinguished characters of continental reputation”

electors are now rubber stamps for the popular vote in each state

Ratification

9/13 states required to approve the new constitution

antifederalist

small farmers, shopkeepers, and laborers - liked decentralized gov in fear of tyranny

federalist

favored strong state gov and weak national gov, called for a bill of rights -→ protection of individual liberties

Expressed powers

given to the federal government, elastic clause - expanding the power that congress has

Implied powers

granted through the Necessary and Proper Clause

Inherent powers

rights to make treaties, wage war, and acquire territory

Reserved powers

held by the states

Concurrent powers

exercised by both the national and state governments

dual federalism

national and state gov remain supreme within their own spheres

fiscal federalism

pattern of spending, taxing, borrowing, and providing money for grants in the federal system

(fiscal federalism) categorical grants

a lot of strings attached to money

ex. interstate highway - national government mainly uses this

(fiscal federalism) block grants

fewer strings attached to money and preferred by the state

ex. money given to states for homeland security

\