Chapter 1.5 Flashcards
What impacts of political negotiation and compromise at the Constitutional Convention are seen in the development of the Constitution system?
Virginia Plan
Proposed 3 branches of government with an executive, judiciary, and a two house legislature. People elected the lower house who elected the higher house. The national government was greater than the states.
Who wrote the Virginia Plan?
James Madison
Who did the Virginia Plan favor?
The larger states
Bicameral
Two-house
The New Jersey Plan
Federal government had limited/defined powers. 1 vote per state (legislative branch).
Who did the New Jersey Plan favor?
Smaller states
What branch was missing from the New Jersey Plan?
The judiciary
Big States VS. Small States
Big states wanted more votes in government, small states wanted equal representation.
Grand Commitee
1 delegate per state, made the Great Compromise
The Great Compromise (or the Conneticut Compromise)
2-house Congress - House of Representatives and the Senate.
House - based on population.
Senate - equal representation.
What did slave states want?
Slave states wanted slaves to count for representation in government.
Slavery and the Three-Fifths Compromise
3 out of 5 slaves were counted for government representation.
Slave Trade Compromise
Congress can’t stop slave trade for 20 years after ratification.
Extradition Clause
Defined how to deal with run away slaves.
Electoral Colledge
Elects the president. States decide how to choose electors.
How is the number of Electors chosen?
Number of representatives in Congress
What is the Electoral College an example of?
Elite democracy
The Constitution of the United States
2nd form of US government. Came from the Articles of Confederation debate. 3 branch government.
Article I
Legislative branch. 10 sections, about 1/2 of the Constitution - longest article.
What branch does Article I discuss?
Discusses the legislative branch - how Congress works.
What is the term for representatives in the House and how are they elected?
The term is two years and they are elected directly by the people.
What is the term for Senators and how are they elected?
The term is six years and they are elected by state legislature.
Article II
Executive branch. President is head for nation’s business. Discusses ambassadors, foreign affairs.
What branch does Article II disccuss?
The executive branch
What title does the president hold?
Commander in Chief
Article III
Created the Supreme Court. Gave Congress power to make smaller courts. Federal courts rule on federal law, state disputes, and concerns with government officials.
What branch does Article III discuss?
The judicial branch
What is the term for Supreme Court Justices and how are they chosen?
The term is for life in good behavior and the president choses them while the Senate confirms the nomination.
Article IV
Relationships between states. Full faith & credit clause. States have to be open with their laws. States have to treat citizens of other states the same as citizens from their own state.
Article V
How to amend the Constitution.
How can the Constitution get amended?
2/3 of both houses have to propose it or 3/4 of the states. To pass it, 3/4 of the states have to ratify it.
Article VI
Constitution is the supreme law. There will be no religious test to be able to hold a government office.
Article VII
Amendment proposal process. Constitution goes into effect after 9 states approve it.
Summarize the articles of the Constitution
Article I - legislative branch
Article II - executive branch
Article III - the judiciary
Article IV - relations among states
Article V - amendment process
Article VI - national supremacy
Article VII - ratification process
What is the Bill of Rights and why was it written?
It was thought that they needed a Bill of Rights to protect individual liberties. It is the first 10 amendments.
Summarize the Bill of Rights
Amend. I - Freedom of religion, speech, press assembly, and petition
Amend. II - Right to bear arms
Amend. III - No quartering of troops
Amend. IV - No unreasonable searches/seizures
Amend. V - Indictment, double jeopardy, self-incrimination, due process
Amend. VI - Speedy and public trial by jury, examine other witnesses, call witnesses, defense trial, informed of crime
Amend. VII - Lawsuits and juries
Amend. VIII - No cruel/unusual punishments, no excessive fines/bail
Amend. IX - Not restricted to rights in the Constitution
Amend. X - Delegated and regulated powers
USA PATRIOT Act
Intelligence gathering/sharing, criminal procedure, border protection, share suspect information, tap suspect’s phone, detain immigrants longer, monitor emails. This was a huge privacy loss that targeted Muslims after 9/11. It was later modified to be less invasive.
No Child Left Behind (NCLB)
Improve teaching methods and have tests to measure progress. Sanction under preforming schools. Federal government had more involvement with education.
Race to the Top
Incentives for states to meet national standards of being college/career ready at graduation.
Every Student Succeed Act (ESSA)
States can make their own education standards, Upholds protections for disadvantaged students. Federal government has to approve plan.
