CH 2
Virginia plan: a framework for the constitution that called for representation in the national legislature based on the population of each state.
New Jersey plan: a framework for the constitution that called for equal state representation in the national legislature regardless of population
Three-Fifths compromise: the agreement reached at the constitutional convention of 1787 that stipulated that for purposes of apportioning congressional seats only three-fifths of enslaved people would be counted
Articles of Confederation: America’s first written constitution; served as the basis for America’s national government until 1789.
Significance of Shay’s Rebellion: to prevent the state of Massachusetts from foreclosing on the land of debt-written farmers.
Great Compromise: the agreement reached at the national convention of 1787 that gave each state an equal number of senators regardless of its population but linked representation in the House of Representatives to population
Is it easy to change the U.S. Constitution? What does this process look like?
Changing the U.S. constitution is a tough process on purpose. this makes sure that any changes have a lot of agreement from different groups of people.
Changing the constitution was not easy. Since it was adopted, there have been more than 11,000 proposed amendments, but only 27 have actually been ratified
Someone suggests a change (called an amendment) by Congress or state convention.
Ratification, 9 out of the 13 original states must agree for the constitution to go into effect.
Why and how did the system of constitutional democracy develop in the United States?
The development of the U.S. government required making tough compromises to keep the country together and working, even though those compromises sometimes went against the nation’s core beliefs in equality and freedom.
Why: They wanted to prevent “excessive democracy” where too much power in the hand of the people could lead to instability, so they built a system that balanced power across different parts of government
their goal was to create a strong but fair government that would promote economic interests and protect people’s rights.
How: set up a government with three branches (executive, legislative, judicial) to ensure no single branch became too powerful.
The Great Compromise and the Three-Fifths Compromise were necessary to get all the states on board with this new government, added the Bill of Rights to protect individual freedoms and ensure public support for the new system.
3 branches of government: How does this enable a check and balance system?: with separation of powers and checks and balances to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful.
Legislative:
Passes federal laws, controls federal appropriation, approves treaties and presidential appointments, regulates interstate commerce, establishes lower court system
Executive:
Enforces laws, commander in chief of armed forces, makes foreign treaties, proposes laws, appoints supreme court judges
Judicial:
Decides constitutionality of laws, reviews lower court decisions, decides cases involving disputes between states.