US history unit 2 test

Republicanism

the belief that gov. should be based on the consent of the governed, with citizens electing representatives to make political decisions rather than being ruled by a monarch

Republic vs. Direct democracy

Direct democracy allows citizens to vote directly on laws and political decisions. Early americans generally favored republican government.

Tyranny of the majority

A situation in which the majority uses its political power to violate the rights or interests of a minority. Many early Americans believed representative government could help prevent this.

Why did Americans fear centralized government after independence?

Their experience under British rule made them suspicious of concentrated political power. They feared that a strong national government could threaten individual liberty and state self-government.

Why were Americans more loyal to their states than to the nation?

Colonists had long governed themselves through colonial assemblies and later state governments. Their political identities and loyalties were primarily tied to their individual states rather than a unified nation.

Liberty vs. Equality in Early American Government

Many Americans prioritized protecting liberty from government tyranny over establishing political equality for everyone. This contributed to restrictions on voting rights and unequal political participation.

Property Requirements for Voting

Many states limited voting to men who owned property or met taxpaying qualifications, based partly on the belief that economic independence allowed voters to exercise independent political judgment.

Massachusetts Constitution of 1780

An example of early state constitutional government featuring three branches: a bicameral legislature, an executive governor, and a judiciary. It reflected efforts to distribute government power while preserving republican government.

—>was for massachusetts state only, but became blueprint for US constitution drafted 7 yrs later

Three Branches of Government

Legislative: makes laws. Executive: enforces laws. Judicial: interprets and applies laws. Dividing these responsibilities helps prevent excessive concentration of political power.

Articles of Confederation

The first written constitution of the United States, adopted by Congress in 1777 and ratified in 1781. It established a loose confederation of 13 states with a weak central government and strong state governments.

featured a single-house legislative congress (with each state having one vote) but lacked an executive branch, a national judiciary, and the power to tax or regulate trade.

Confederation

A union of largely independent states that cooperate through a limited central government while retaining substantial political sovereignty.

Why was the national government intentionally weak under the Articles?

Americans feared recreating the centralized authority they had fought against during the American Revolution. They therefore gave most governing powers to the states to protect their independence and liberty.