Chapter 2 Flashcards
3 basic concepts of government (from the British)
- ordered gov:
a) government regulates the affairs of the people
b) government maintain order - limited gov:
a) government is restricted to what it can do
b) people have rights the government can’t take away - representative gov:
a) government should serve the will of the people
b) people should have a voice in what the government does
3 important British documents that led to the American freedom
- Magna Carta: “the great Charter” (1215) signed by King John- est. the principles that the monarchy was not absolute/not above the law and the law comes from the people
- petition of rights: (1628) signed by Charles I- it limited the kings powers in specific way (no punishment w/out trial no martial law in time of peace, limited taxation,etc.)
- English Bill of Rights: (1688) signed by William and Mary- est. the idea that the people had certain natural rights (free speech, religion, fair trial, etc.)
rule of law
“the law is in charge”- there are a set of limits on government power cornerstone of the US constitution
what is the Magna Carta?
The Great Charter
Signed by King John
established the principles that the monarchy was not absolute/above the law and the law comes from the people
What was the cornerstone of the constitution?
the magna carta
Petition of Right
Signed by King Charles I
Limited the kings’s powers in specific ways (no punishment without a trial, no martial law in time of peace, limited taxation)
English Bill of Rights
Signed by William and Mary
Established the idea that the people had certain natural rights (free speech, religion, fair trial, etc)
Where did the American bill of rights result from?
English Bill of Rights
What are the 2 bedrock principles Americans live by today?
- no one is above the law
- we all have rights the government must protect
3 types of colonial government
- Royal: direct control of the crown (8 colonies)
- Proprietary: direct control of the proprietor/owner (3 colonies). Example: Pennsylvania
- Charter: direct control of the people (2 colonies)
Albany Plan of Union
Attempt to address colonial trade and unite during the French and Indian War.
Stamp Act Congress
Fought to repeal the stamp act
First continental congress
Demanded a repeal of the intolerable acts.
Second continental congress
First time all colonies united **1st temporary national government during the war for independence.
Declaration of Independence
United to form our new nation
What were the common features of the first state constitution? (4)
- Popular sovereignty: people were the supreme source of power
- Limited Government: states not all powerful
- Civil Rights and Liberties: people had certain rights that states must recognize and protect
- Separation of powers and checks and balances: states powers were divided (3 branches) - each branch could check/restrain each other.
Articles of Confederation
- 1st constitution of the United States: drafted during the revolution
- Designed to have a weak central government and strong state government.
Articles of Confederation
- 1st constitution of the United States: drafted during the revolution
- Designed to have a weak central government and strong state government.
Who wrote the first draft of the Articles of Confederation?
Ben Franklin
Who wrote the final draft of the Articles of Confederation?
John Dickinson
What was the only branch of government the Articles of Confederation had?
Legislative Branch
Major weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation? (5)
Central government had…
- no power to tax
- no power to coin money
- no power to regulate trade
- no power to enforce its own laws
- no power to create an army
Amendments
“Changes to the Articles”
Only done with the consent of all 13 states
Shay’s Rebellion
Revolt against land/home foreclosures
Why were the Articles of Confederation a failure?
Central Government had too little power and the states had all.
Annapolis Convention
- James Madison and Alexander Hamilton called for a meeting in Philly.
- Madison comes to convention with a plan
- only 5 states showed up
“Framers”
(55) group of delegates sent to Philadelphia
Why did Patrick Henry not show up to the Annapolis Convention?
“I smelt a rat”
- he feared the states were going to lose power
What was the original purpose of the Philadelphia convention?
To “revise” the Articles of Confederation
What were the 2 major plans presented at the Philadelphia (Annapolis) convention?
- Virginia Plan by James Madison
- New Jersey Plan by William Patterson
What were the features of the Virginia Plan? (6)
- 3 branches
- Bicameral (2 houses) Legislative
- Representation based on population or the amount of money you gave the government
- National Executive ( 1 president)
- National and State Judiciary (several courts)
- **Greatly increased powers for the central government (tax, regulate trade, etc) UNITARY!!!
What are the features of the New Jersey Plan? (6)
- 3 branches
- Unicameral (1 House) Legislative
- Equal representation - 1 vote per state
- National Executive (3 people)
- National Judiciary (one single court)
- Very limited powers to the central government/shared with the states - FEDERAL!!!
What was the key issue/stumbling point between the Virginia Plan and New Jersey Plan?
Representation in Legislative Branch
What was the Great Compromise?
Bicameral Legislative with representation based on population in the lower house and equal representation in the upper house.
What were the features of the Great Compromise? (4)
- Executive: 1 person/president
- National/State Judiciaries - Supreme Court and state courts
- Gave co-equal powers to central government and local governments
- Greatly increased the powers of the central government
Who is the “Father of our Constitution”?
James Madison
Characteristics of the Articles of Confederation government? (2)
- Each state kept its own sovereignty, freedom, and independence.
- Confederate form of government; meant states had all the power **like 13 individual countries.
Three-Fifths Compromise
Should slaves be counted as population
What were the provisions of the Three-Fifths compromise? (2)
- Slaves should be counted as three fifths of a person
- South must pay three fifths of a head tax
Commerce and Slave trade compromise
- the south feared that congress would tax exports to help fund the government
- feared they would stop the slave trade
What were the provisions of the Commerce and Slave Trade Compromise? (2)
- Congress was forbidden from taxing exports
- Congress could not stop the slave trade for 20 years
Major sources of the constitution (4)
- Greece
- Rome
- Great Britain
- Judeo-Christian
What is ratification?
Official approval of the states
Federalists
In favor of the new constitution
Anti-Federalists
Opposed to the new constitution
What were the federalist’s main argument?
The central government was too weak to
What were the 2 major complaints of the Anti-Federalists?
- it gave too much power to the federal government
- no bill of rights
What was the first state to ratify the constitution?
Delaware
The Federalists Paper
A series of 85 articles written - to promote the constitution
What were the first orders of business of Congress after the constitution was ratified? (5)
- Choose an executive/president
- Adapt a bill of rights (James Madison)
George was the only US president to:
-Be elected unanimously
- Ran unopposed
- Did not belong to a political party
