Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Government > Chapter 2 > Flashcards

Chapter 2 Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
AP® U.S. Government flashcards U.S. Government Basics flashcards American Government 101 flashcards
1
Q

3 basic concepts of government (from the British)

A
  1. ordered gov:
    a) government regulates the affairs of the people
    b) government maintain order
  2. limited gov:
    a) government is restricted to what it can do
    b) people have rights the government can’t take away
  3. representative gov:
    a) government should serve the will of the people
    b) people should have a voice in what the government does
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

3 important British documents that led to the American freedom

A
  1. 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
  2. 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.)
  3. 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.)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

rule of law

A

“the law is in charge”- there are a set of limits on government power cornerstone of the US constitution

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

what is the Magna Carta?

A

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

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What was the cornerstone of the constitution?

A

the magna carta

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Petition of Right

A

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)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

English Bill of Rights

A

Signed by William and Mary
Established the idea that the people had certain natural rights (free speech, religion, fair trial, etc)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Where did the American bill of rights result from?

A

English Bill of Rights

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What are the 2 bedrock principles Americans live by today?

A
  • no one is above the law
  • we all have rights the government must protect
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

3 types of colonial government

A
  • 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)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Albany Plan of Union

A

Attempt to address colonial trade and unite during the French and Indian War.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Stamp Act Congress

A

Fought to repeal the stamp act

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

First continental congress

A

Demanded a repeal of the intolerable acts.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Second continental congress

A

First time all colonies united **1st temporary national government during the war for independence.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Declaration of Independence

A

United to form our new nation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What were the common features of the first state constitution? (4)

A
  • 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.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Articles of Confederation

A
  • 1st constitution of the United States: drafted during the revolution
  • Designed to have a weak central government and strong state government.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Articles of Confederation

A
  • 1st constitution of the United States: drafted during the revolution
  • Designed to have a weak central government and strong state government.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Who wrote the first draft of the Articles of Confederation?

A

Ben Franklin

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Who wrote the final draft of the Articles of Confederation?

A

John Dickinson

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What was the only branch of government the Articles of Confederation had?

A

Legislative Branch

22
Q

Major weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation? (5)

A

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

23
Q

Amendments

A

“Changes to the Articles”
Only done with the consent of all 13 states

24
Q

Shay’s Rebellion

A

Revolt against land/home foreclosures

25
Q

Why were the Articles of Confederation a failure?

A

Central Government had too little power and the states had all.

26
Q

Annapolis Convention

A
  • James Madison and Alexander Hamilton called for a meeting in Philly.
  • Madison comes to convention with a plan
  • only 5 states showed up
27
Q

“Framers”

A

(55) group of delegates sent to Philadelphia

28
Q

Why did Patrick Henry not show up to the Annapolis Convention?

A

“I smelt a rat”
- he feared the states were going to lose power

29
Q

What was the original purpose of the Philadelphia convention?

A

To “revise” the Articles of Confederation

30
Q

What were the 2 major plans presented at the Philadelphia (Annapolis) convention?

A
  • Virginia Plan by James Madison
  • New Jersey Plan by William Patterson
31
Q

What were the features of the Virginia Plan? (6)

A
  • 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!!!
32
Q

What are the features of the New Jersey Plan? (6)

A
  • 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!!!
33
Q

What was the key issue/stumbling point between the Virginia Plan and New Jersey Plan?

A

Representation in Legislative Branch

34
Q

What was the Great Compromise?

A

Bicameral Legislative with representation based on population in the lower house and equal representation in the upper house.

35
Q

What were the features of the Great Compromise? (4)

A
  • 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
36
Q

Who is the “Father of our Constitution”?

A

James Madison

37
Q

Characteristics of the Articles of Confederation government? (2)

A
  • Each state kept its own sovereignty, freedom, and independence.
  • Confederate form of government; meant states had all the power **like 13 individual countries.
38
Q

Three-Fifths Compromise

A

Should slaves be counted as population

39
Q

What were the provisions of the Three-Fifths compromise? (2)

A
  1. Slaves should be counted as three fifths of a person
  2. South must pay three fifths of a head tax
40
Q

Commerce and Slave trade compromise

A
  • the south feared that congress would tax exports to help fund the government
  • feared they would stop the slave trade
41
Q

What were the provisions of the Commerce and Slave Trade Compromise? (2)

A
  • Congress was forbidden from taxing exports
  • Congress could not stop the slave trade for 20 years
42
Q

Major sources of the constitution (4)

A
  • Greece
  • Rome
  • Great Britain
  • Judeo-Christian
43
Q

What is ratification?

A

Official approval of the states

44
Q

Federalists

A

In favor of the new constitution

45
Q

Anti-Federalists

A

Opposed to the new constitution

46
Q

What were the federalist’s main argument?

A

The central government was too weak to

47
Q

What were the 2 major complaints of the Anti-Federalists?

A
  • it gave too much power to the federal government
  • no bill of rights
48
Q

What was the first state to ratify the constitution?

A

Delaware

49
Q

The Federalists Paper

A

A series of 85 articles written - to promote the constitution

50
Q

What were the first orders of business of Congress after the constitution was ratified? (5)

A
  • Choose an executive/president
  • Adapt a bill of rights (James Madison)
51
Q

George was the only US president to:

A

-Be elected unanimously
- Ran unopposed
- Did not belong to a political party

Government (8 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions