Articles of Confederation Flashcards
What is a constitution
plan for government
Why was the government weak?
Because of past history w/ king/parliament taking away colonist’s rights
federal (central) government could not tax states without ___
Asking the other states
federal government could not enforce laws without___
Having all 13 states agree to change anything
Which law was kept from the Articles of Confederation?
Northwest Ordinance
What did the Northwest Ordinance provide?
Provided a way for a territory to become a state
What are the reasons for the Rev. War Depression of the U.S?
- Federal gov. coult not impose taxes
- there was no money to pay soldiers(farmers)
- farmers couldnt sell goods and pay state taxes
What is Shay’s Rebellion?
Daniel Shayes led a force of 1,200 supporters towards federal arsenal. In response, state militia fired and shot 4 farmers.
Why: Shay’s Rebellion
Daniel Shays wanted to stop judges from legally taking away farmers lands.
Significance of Shay’s Rebellion?
Showed how the people needed a stronger and better government to secure their rights.
Who wanted to reform the Articles, Why?
James Madison and Alexander Hamilton wanted to reform the Articles– They wanted a strong gov. to enforce laws and taxes
What did Hamilton and Madison think the solution was to America’s problems?
Revise/change the Articles of Confederation
Define Amend:
to change or revise
Whose nickname was father of the constitution, why?
James Madison – was the author of the basic plan of gov.
Who presided over the secretive meeting and why were they meeting secretly? Where was it held?
Meeting took place Philadelphia May 1787 – George Washington presided the meeting to revis the Articles of Confederation
Define proportional:
corresponding in size to the population for each state
Who objected the new plan of gov.?
Delaware
What was the surprise at the beginning of the convention?
Articles of Confederation were replaced w/ a new constitution and increased power of federal gov.
Who did the N.J plan favor?
The smaller states
Who did the Virginia plan favor?
the larger states w/ regard to representation in congress
What was the purpose of the N.J and Virginia Plan?
To offer solutions to the issue of respresentation in congress
Define compromise
promise or agreement
What were the key points of the N.J plan?
same as VP except 1 house legislature and 1 rep per state
What were the key points of the VP?
Had 3 branches:
1. Legislature = 2 house Congress
2. Executive = Pres
3. Judicial = Supreme Court/fed courts
What was the representation in the N.J.P?
representation in the Senate was 2 members represented
what was the representation in the V.P?
respresentation in the house of representatives was determined by the state’s population
Define ratify
to approve
Who vs. who?
North vs. South states
what did the 3/5ths compromise solve?
1.conflict over if slaves would be counted as reps.
2. stated that slaves would be counted as 3/5ths of a person for representation in house of representatives
3. 9/3 states need to ratify the constitution of U.S.A
what is the legislative branch made up of?
Congress: House of Representatives, Senate
What is the legislative branch’s job?
Make the laws, check congress over idea Pres. veto idea with 2/3 votes of both house, declare war
What is the executive branch made up of?
Pres. vs. Pres., cabinet/avisors
What is the executive branches main job?
enforce the laws, veto laws, commander in chief or armed forces, 2-4 year term
what is the judicial branch made up of?
supreme court/fed. courts
what is the judicial branches main job?
interpret the law, decide if law in unconstitutional or constitutional, lifetime term
What is the introduction of the constitution called?
the preamble
How does the constitution begin?
“we the people of the U.S in order to form a more perfect union”
Who was the idea of seperation of powers made by?
Montesquieu
What can the legislative branch do?
The legislative branch can override the veto with 2/3 votes of both houses
What protects the basic rights of citizens in the constitution?
The English Bill of Rights
Define amendment
to change, improve, or revise
How many amendments are there in the English bill of rights?
10 amendments
List in order the rights protected by in the english bill of rights
- religion
- pres.
- speech
- assemble
- petition
Marbury v. Madison = the __ defined =
its power to determin whether a law violates the constitution
What were the federalists and who are they?
people who wanted a strong central gov. and supported the constitution – Madison and Hamilton
What were the Antifederalists and who are they?
Opposed the constitution and wanted a strong STATE gov. – Thomas Jefferson
What reasons did the federalists give to defend their views on the ratification?
Made federalists papers- series of arguements that stated the constitution threatened the liberty of rights
What did the Antifederalists want in the constitution?
Bill of rights added.
