chapter 2 gov set

Republic

gov ruled by people’s reps

Articles of Confederation

13 states hold most power, weak national gov

League of Friendship

no new land w/o all states’ ok, 1 vote/state

Unicameral

1 house legislature, 7 delegates/state but 1 vote total

Annapolis Convention

states didn’t care about national gov, wanted independence

Shay’s Rebellion

Mass uprising, no national military to stop debt unrest

Constitutional Convention

fix Articles of Confederation

Virginia Plan

3 branches, bicameral, rep by population (big states > power)

New Jersey Plan

equal rep for all states regardless of size

Grand Committee

worked on compromise at convention

Great (Connecticut) Compromise

combined VA & NJ plans, House = pop, Senate = equal rep

Bicameral

two-house legislature

3/5 Compromise

slaves counted as 3/5 person for rep

Compromise of Importation

no slave trade restriction until 1808

Escaped slaves

must be returned despite state laws

Separation of Powers

no branch has more power than others

Checks & Balances

branches check each other’s power

Federalism

shared power national + state gov

Legislative Branch

makes laws

Enumerated Powers

powers given to Congress explicitly

Elastic Clause

Congress can do what’s necessary to carry out powers

Implied Powers

not explicit but assumed

Executive Branch

enforces laws

Veto

president rejects law, Congress can override w/ 2/3 vote

Judicial Branch

interprets laws, Supreme Court

Supremacy Clause

national laws/treaties supreme over states

Amendment

official change to Constitution, hard to do

Bill of Rights

first 10 amendments, protect rights

Ratification

states approve Constitution or amendments (majority or 3/4)

Federalists

want strong central gov

Antifederalists

want strong state gov

Brutus 1

large republic too powerful, reps act selfishly

Federalist Papers

85 essays supporting Constitution

Faction

self-interest groups harming others’ rights

Impeachment

Congress can remove president for crimes

Writ of Habeas Corpus

right to know charges if detained

Bills of Attainder

no punishment w/o trial

Ex Post Facto Laws

no punishing after the fact

What is a Republic

A government ruled by representatives of the people.

Why did James Madison want to create an American republic that couldn’t be easy to falter

He wanted a government that prevented tyranny and ensured stability.

How did the Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union organize power

It created a union where the 13 states held most power, not the national government.

Why did distrust of other states lead to conflict between the 13 states

Because the states acted independently and did not fully cooperate, causing tension.

What was the purpose of the League of Friendship

To ensure no state could occupy new land without agreement from all states and to give each state one vote for equal representation.

How did limitations on Congress and the national government affect the country's strength

They made the country weak because Congress needed constant approval and money from the states, which were often refused.

What powers could the states NOT do under the Articles of Confederation

States couldn’t control imports/exports or declare war.

How did general trading with other nations lead to a messy domestic economy

Because Congress had no power to regulate trade, resulting in economic weakness.

What does unicameral mean in terms of legislature

It means a one house legislature with 7 delegates per state but only 1 vote.

What did the Annapolis Convention reveal about the states’ attitudes toward national government

That the states wanted to be independent and did not care to unite under a strong national government.

Why did the failures of the Articles of Confederation lead to a weak economy and ineffective government

Because the national government had no control over states to ensure national growth, and Great Britain remained a threat.

What was Shay’s Rebellion and why did it happen

An uprising against the Massachusetts government caused by debt and economic distress.

How did having no national military affect the states

States were vulnerable and got “beaten up” due to debt and inability to defend collectively.

How did economic downturn relate to the failure of the Articles of Confederation

Failure led to worthless money, ineffective government, debt, states demanding money, and public anger.

What was the goal of the Constitutional Convention

To fix the problems of the Articles of Confederation.

Who were the main people involved in the Constitutional Convention

George Washington, James Madison, and Benjamin Franklin.

How did the makeup of the Constitutional Convention affect its outcomes

Mostly white elite men with power influenced the government structure.

Why was the power division between national and state governments a big issue

Because it affected representation, especially how slaves were counted and national control over trade.

What protections are provided in Article VI and Article I Section 9

Article VI prohibits religious tests for office; Article I Section 9 prohibits suspension of writ of habeas corpus (except rebellion/invasion), bills of attainder, and ex post facto laws.

Why is the writ of habeas corpus important

It protects the right of detained people to know their charges.

How do bills of attainder violate individual rights

They declare guilt without a trial, which is prohibited.

What are ex post facto laws and why are they prohibited

Laws that punish people for acts not illegal when committed; they violate fairness.

What was the Virginia Plan and its major downside

Proposed 3 branches with two legislative houses where bigger states had more power, leading to unequal representation.

How did the New Jersey Plan differ from the Virginia Plan

It gave equal votes to every state regardless of size.

Why was the Great (Connecticut) Compromise necessary

To combine Virginia and New Jersey plans ensuring equal representation and proportional representation with bicameral legislature.

What does bicameral mean

Having two legislative houses.

How did the Three-Fifths Compromise affect representation

It counted slaves as 3/5 of a person for representation.

Why was the Three-Fifths Compromise significant politically

It gave Southern states more power in Congress, postponing the Civil War.

What was the Compromise of Importation

Congress couldn’t restrict the slave trade until 1808.

How were escaped slaves treated under the Constitution

They had to be returned to their owners regardless of state laws.

Why did slavery continue despite opposition

Slave owners threatened to leave, and the South had political power.

How did Madison view slaves

As property, deserving punishment, not as equals, though he discussed ending slavery and different treatment.

What is Separation of Powers

A government design where no branch has more power than the others.

How do Checks and Balances work

Each branch can limit the others to prevent unilateral policy making.

Give an example of a check.
Congress can impeach a president for crimes or treason.

What is Federalism

Shared power between national and state governments.

What is the main responsibility of the Legislative Branch

Passing laws.

How does the Senate’s election cycle protect policy

Only ⅓ are re-elected every 2 years, preventing sudden changes.

What are Enumerated Powers

Powers specifically granted by the Constitution.

What is the Elastic Clause

It allows Congress to carry out enumerated powers.

What are Implied Powers and why can they cause disagreement

Powers not directly stated but implied, leading to interpretation disputes.

What is the role of the Executive Branch

To carry out laws passed by the legislative branch.

How can the President check Congress

By vetoing laws.

How can Congress override a Presidential veto

By a ⅔ majority vote in both houses.

What powers does Congress have related to war

Declaring war and raising money.

How is the President limited in power

Congress controls war and money; President cannot make laws alone.

What is the role of the Judicial Branch

To handle cases and hearings, including the Supreme Court.

What does the Supremacy Clause state

National treaties and laws are supreme over state laws.

Who controls the judicial branch appointments

Other branches have control over who serves in the judicial branch.

What is an Amendment

A change to the Constitution.

Give an example of an amendment.
The Bill of Rights.

How is an amendment passed and ratified

Passed by ⅔ of houses/senate or states; ratified by majority of state legislatures or ¾ of states.

Why don’t all states have to agree on amendments

Because equal unity is very difficult to achieve.

Who were the Federalists

Supporters of the Constitution who want a strong central government.

Why did Federalists fear the Articles of Confederation

Because it made the central government too weak to act.

What was the Federalists’ solution to tyranny

A strong government with three branches needing each other’s approval but able to act independently.

Who were the Antifederalists

Opponents of the Constitution who want strong state power.

What were Antifederalists’ fears

That people’s rights wouldn’t be heard and tyranny of the minority could occur.

What did Brutus 1 argue

That a large republic was too powerful and the central government could destroy liberty.

What were the Federalist Papers

85 essays explaining the Constitution’s benefits.

What do Federalist Papers 10 and 51 explain

Separation of powers and federalism prevent tyranny.

What is a faction

A group acting for self-interest that threatens others’ rights.