American Heritage: Early American Government (Unit 2) Flashcards
The first government was influenced by?
-mosaic law
-biblical concept of the covenant
Limited government
concept that government power is not absolute
Magna Carta
Recognized the rights f nobility, King John was forced to sign by the nobles
English Bill of Rights
set clear limits on monarchy: monarchs must rule with consent of Parliament and can not pass laws or taxes with out Parliaments consent
Thomas Hobbs
social contract theorist, believed people need a strong government to maintain order
John Locke
reasoned that people have “natural rights” because they are human, these are: life, liberty, and property
Declaration of Independence
written by Thomas Jefferson, first signed by John Hancock
Six sections of the Declaration
- preamble
- philosophy
- grievances
- colonists response
- declaring independence
- signatures
The Articles of Confederation
-drafted during the second continental congress
-amending the articles required unanimity
Constitutional Convention
-delegates decide to abandon the articles of confederation
The Virginia Plan
-representation in a strong legislature based on population
-benefits more populous states
The New Jersey Plan
-each state gets 1 vote in the unicameral legislature
-increased national government power
The Connecticut Compromise
-legislature would be bicameral
-House of Representation based on population
-Senate each state gets 2 representatives
Electoral College
-each state select electors choose the president
Article 1
The Legislative Branch
Article 2
Th Executive Branch
Article 3
The Judicial Branch
Article 4
Relations between States
Article 5
Amending the Constitution
Article 6
National Supremacy
Article 7
Ratification
Federalists
favored the Constitution
Anti-Federalists
opposed the Constitution
The Federalist Papers
-a collection of 85 essays published in defense of the constitution
-written by John Jay, James Madison, and Alexander Hamilton
1st amendment
Five Foundational Freedoms:
religion, speech, press, assembly, petition
2nd amendment
to keep and bear arms
3rd amendment
no quartering of troops
4th amendment
no unreasonable searches/seizure
5th amendment
rights of those accused of crimes:
-right to grand jury
-no double jeopardy
-no requirement to incriminate onesef
-right to due process
6th amendment
rights during the criminal trial:
-speedy and public by impartial jury
-to know charges and face accused with lawyer
7th amendment
right to trial by jury in civil case
7th amendment
right to trial by jury in civil case
