5 Forming a Government Flashcards
Constitution
A set of basic laws and principles that states the powers and duties of the government.
Magna Carta
A document signed by King James in 1215 and made the king subject to the law
Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom
The document declared that no person could be forced to attend a particular church or be required to pay for a church with tax money.
Sufferage
The right to vote
Articles of Confederation
The first U.S. Constitution. Under this document, Congress would become the single branch of the government, but it would have limited power to protect the rights of the people.
Ratification
Official approval
Land Ordinance of 1785
Set up a system for surveying lands
Northwest Ordinance of 1787
Established the Northwest Territory, which included areas that are now Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota
Tariffs
Taxes on imports or exports
Interstate commerce
Trade between two or more states
Inflation
When there are increased prices for goods and services combined with the reduced value of money
Depression
A period of low economic activity combined with a rise in unemployment
Daniel Shays
A revolutionary war veteran and poor farmer who organized “Shays’ Rebellion”
Shays’ Rebellion
An uprising of farmer to protest high taxes and heavy debt
The ConstitutionalConvention
Was held in May 1787 in Philadelphia’s Independence hall to revise the Articles of Confederation
Virginia Plan
A plan proposing that a new federal constitution that would give sovereignty to the central government
New Jersey Plan
This plan called for a unicameral, or one house legislature. The plan gave each state an equal number of votes, an thus and equal voice, in the federal government.
Great Compromise
The agreement to create a two house legislature
Three-Fifths Compromise
Under this agreement only three-fifths of a state’s slave population would count when determining representatives.
Popular Sovereignty
The idea that political power belongs to the people
Federalism
The sharing of power between a central government and the states that make up a country
Legislative Branch
(Or Congress) The branch of government in charge of proposing and passing laws.
Executive Branch
Includes the president and the departments that help run the government
Help make sure law is carried out
Judicial Branch
The make up of all the national courts
Checks and balances
Keeps any branch from becoming too powerful
James Madison
A signer of the Declaration of Independence
Was a federalist and helped write the Federalist Papers
Antifederalists
People who opposed the Constitution
Federalists
Supporters of the Constitution
George Mason
A delegate who became antifederalist because the Constitution did not have a section securing people’s rights
Federalist Papers
Essays supporting the constitution that were written anonymously
Ammendments
Official changes
Bill of Rights
10 of the proposed amendments to the Constitution
