After American Revolution Flashcards
What was put into the constitution to allow for the changing needs of society?
The elastic clause. Amendments and Implied Powers Clause. Congress can make all laws that they deem necessary and proper.
What are Natural Rights?
The rights that everyone is born with. Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness (property). Given in Declaration of Independence from John Locke.
What part of the Constitution gives power to the people?
The preamble and first three words “We the people…”
What was the purpose of Thomas Paine’s Common Sense?
To convince the colonists to break away from England.
What exposed the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?
Shays Rebellion exposed the weaknesses of the AOC of being unable to raise an army (and tax).
What was the proclamation line of 1763
Stated colonists had to stay east of the Appalachian Mts in order to avoid conflict with the Native Americans.
Why did the colonists boycott British goods?
To show opposition to the unfair taxes being placed on them from Great Britain
What is Mercantilism?
Colonies exist to benefit the mother country by providing raw materials which the Mother Country turns into manufactured good and then resells the products to the colonies.
How has the Declaration of Independence influenced other countries?
It has provided a framework for countries seeking independence from unjust governments.
Where did the Articles of Confederation place all the power? Why?
The state governments because the people feared a strong central government.
Why did the writers of the Constitution decide to give congress the power to tax?
In order to correct a weakness under the Articles of Confederation.
What was the Great Compromise? NJ Plan? Virginia Plan?
It was a compromise between large and small states in regards to taxation and representation. NJ Plan was for the small states and gave everyone an equal number of representatives (2) and created the senate. The VA plan was for large states and based representation on population leading to the House of Reps.
What is a bicameral legislature?
A two chamber government, known as congress and is seen in the Legislative branch.
What are the Constitutional Compromises?
The Great Compromise, the ⅗ compromise, The bill of rights, slavery, electoral college.
Who are the Federalists? Who are the Anti-Federalists?
Federalists- Support a strong central government and want to ratify the Constitution
Anti-Federalists- Fear a strong central government and want to protect individual liberties. They are against the ratification of the Constitution. Only agree to constitution after the Bill of Rights is added
What protects our individual liberties in the Constitution?
The Bill of Rights
What is Federalism?
Also known as the the Federal System, it is the separate and shared powers between the Federal and State Governments.
What is the House of Reps and how are representatives decided?
A representative body in our Legislative branch which is decided by a states population.
What is separation of powers?
It is where each branch has a specific role in our government. Prevents any branch from getting too powerful. Legislative- Writes Laws, Executive-Enforces Laws, Judicial-interprets laws and rules them constitutional or unconstitutional.
What is checks and balances?
Prevents any one branch from becoming too powerful by allowing the other branches to stop the progress of the other two by “checking” them. An example would be a Presidential Veto on a law passed by congress. Or the legislative branch impreaching the president.
Describe the Nation’s economy after the Revolutionary war? Which leader had to deal with this problem?
High National Debt, George Washington was left with this problem
What rebellion occurred during Washington’s presidency? What did it show?
Whiskey Rebellion, it showed we would enforce our laws
When did Washington warn about Political Parties and permanent alliances?
Farewell Address
What is a precedent? What were Washington’s Precedents?
A precedent is an unwritten law that helps people deal with unfamiliar situations.
1. Mr. President
2. 2 Four Year Terms
3. Formation of a Cabinet
Who opposed the National Bank? Who supported it? What did this lead to?
Thomas Jefferson opposed it. Alexander Hamilton supported it. Led to political parties, Democratic Republicans against it, Federalists are for a national bank.
What were the Democratic Republican beliefs?
Strong state gov’t, strict interpretation of the Constitution, state banks
What were the Federalists beliefs?
See Political Parties Notes on Google Classroom
Who were these parties trying to convince?
George Washington
What was the XYZ affair?
A demand from the french for the Americans to pay a bribe in order to stop impressment of American sailors.