Chapter 2: Foundations of American Government Flashcards
1
Q
Who is most closely associated with the Declaration of Independence?
A
Thomas Jefferson
2
Q
What were the three reasons the Declaration of Independence was produced?
A
- taxation without representation
- trade restrictions / mercantilism
- fighting had already begun
• i.e. Lexington and Concord
3
Q
What are the three parts of the Declaration of Independence?
A
- preamble
- body/ lost of complaints
- conclusion
4
Q
The preamble is the most important part of the constitution because it expressed a believe in what two things?
A
- human rights
- democracy
both of which were considered revolutionary at this time
5
Q
To a world a custom to the rule by aristocracy Thomas Jefferson stated _______________.
A
all men are created equal
6
Q
What stated general ideas upon which the revolution was founded?
A
preamble
7
Q
What is the most important part of the Declaration of Independence?
A
preamble
8
Q
What suggested that if people refuse their consent they may abolish it?
A
rule of consent
9
Q
What is another name for the rate of revolution? Who first came up with this name and where?
A
self-determination
Thomas Jefferson in the constitution
10
Q
Who first created the idea of the rate of revolution and what did they call it?
A
it was created by Confucius or Mankius and it was called the mandate of heaven
11
Q
What three countries use the Declaration of Independence as a way to declare their own independence?
A
- French revolution
- Latin American revolutions (Sam Bolivar)
- Asian independence movements(Vietnam)
12
Q
What two things occurred in England which were utilized in America?
A
- Magna Carta
- English bill of rights
13
Q
What was the restriction of power on King John by the church and nobility?
A
Magna Carta
14
Q
What four things was the average English citizen able to get because of the Magna Carta?
A
- right to be judged by a jury of your peers
- protection against unjust punishment
- protection against delays in bringing a person to trial
- further limited the power of future monarchs
15
Q
What further limited the power of the Monarch by requiring parliaments approval for specific things?
A
English bill of rights
16
Q
What three things required parliaments approval according to the English Bill of Rights?
A
- suspended law
- Levy taxes
- maintenance of an army
17
Q
As a result of the English Bill of Rights the average English citizen was able to get what four things?
A
- right to petition the government
- right to fair and speedy trial
- protection against cruel and unusual punishment
- protection against excessive fines and bills
18
Q
What were the three parts or the three main components of the Mayflower compact?
A
- Direct Democracy
- majority should rule
- Believe that laws should treat everyone equally
19
Q
What is it called when people vote directly on matters?
A
Direct democracy
20
Q
What three things did every colonial government that developed between 1607 and 1733 have?
A
every colony had a governor and judges appointed by the king as well as a two house legislature where the upper house was appointed by the king and the lower house was run as a democracy
21
Q
What are the three characteristics of the lower house of the legislature?
A
- Limited in power
- majority vote
- operated according to law
22
Q
What did the lower house prove to be for founding fathers?
A
training ground
23
Q
What is it called when something comes from someone who lived around the same time you were?
A
contemporary
24
Q
Where did contemporary ideas come from?
A
The enlightenment
25
Who are the three writers of the enlightenment?
- John Locke
- Montesquieu
- Rouessou
26
What did John Locke write and what was its implications?
He wrote the two trees on government and an implied a developed theory of natural rights
27
What is it called when all persons are free equal and independent and no other person could be subjected to the political power of another without consenting?
theory of natural rights
28
What is the name of the book Montesquieu wrote and what did it conclude?
He wrote a book called the spirit of laws and it concluded that the English political system was superior because of its separation of power into the executive legislative and judicial branches
29
What is said about Montesquieu‘s theory today?
It is not true because today the English political system is centered around the legislative branch
30
What book did Rouessou write and what did it suggest?
He wrote a book called the social contract and it suggested that governments have come under the control of tyrants
31
What did Rousseau favor?
he favored the overthrow of the monarchs and power should be returned to the people
32
Where did Jefferson propose the Declaration of Independence and what was also suggested at that meeting?
he propose the Declaration of Independence at the second continental Congress and it was also suggested that a new plan of government should be transmitted to the colonies
33
Who was chosen to come up with a new form of government at the second continental congress and what is to be said about that choice?
they chose John Dixon to come up with the new form of government which was a bad choice because he favored the unitary system which was used by the English
34
What is a form of government where all power is at the top?
unitary system
35
What was Americans opinions on the unitary system?
Most Americans do not want another king. They believed they could be safeguarded with the strong state government‘s. They feared anything that smacked of royalty
36
As a result of Americans fear of another monarch what were the two new restrictions on people in positions of power?
- governors would have short term and no veto power
| - judicial decisions could be overturned by state legislatures
37
What is an Association of Independent states bound together for a particular purpose?
Articles of confederation
38
What were two implications of the articles of confederation?
- only considered the US when Congress was assembled
| - The articles were primarily legislative in nature ( law-making )
39
What were the five powers given to Congress under the articles of confederation?
- to make peace and declare war
- make treaties in alliances
- coin money
- borrow money
- establish a postal system
40
T OR F
They did not set up any agencies to make up laws (Executive Branch)?
TRUE
They have the committee of the states
41
What do you things was the judicial branch limited to under the articles of confederation?
- they could hear piracy cases
• barbary pirates
- they could settle disputes between states when requested
42
How was Canada involved in the articles of confederation?
What’s the document was finished all the states and Canada was invited to join but Canada rejected.
43
What did the articles deny Congress the right to do and why?
tax and regulate trade
English abuse of these powers led to the revolutionary war
44
How long did it take for the articles to be ratified and why?
It took four years because they were incredibly weak
45
What are the two successes of the articles of confederation?
- manufactures and merchants made money
| - developed a plan for settling the western land of states also known as the Northwest ordinance
46
What is the plan for settling the western land and states?
Northwest ordinance
47
What are the six failures of the articles of Confederation?
- domestic unrest
• farmers
- Poor relations with England and France
- A lack of gold and silver coin
- The worthlessness of state issued paper currency
- States quell over boundaries and tariffs
- Governments inability to pay their debt including interest
48
In 1785 George Washington called a meeting. Where was this meeting called what was a cover-up reason for this meeting and what was the real reason for this meeting?
George Washington called a meeting at Mount Vernon in 1785 to discuss trade problems on the platonic river. In reality he actually wanted to discuss the revision of the articles of confederation
49
What was agreed upon during the meeting at Mount Vernon which Washington called?
they would attend the Annapolis conference in 1786 a year later
50
Who took over the Annapolis conference and what are they openly suggest?
Alexander Hamilton took over the Annapolis conference and openly suggested they should have a meeting next year to talk about revisions of the articles of confederation people said no until shays rebellion occurred
51
What was Shays rebellion and who put it down?
Daniel shays led a rebellion of farmers who were upset because the government wanted to tax farmers for turning their greens into whiskey. George Washington was ordered to put it down and he did.
52
What was the impact of Shays rebellion on the rest of society?
because of the Rebellion wealthy people realize they had no protection\or army. As a result the people that agreed to go to Philly in 1787 to discuss revision of the articles of confederation.
53
How many states were represented at the Philadelphia conference and how many work?
12 out of the 13 states showed up
Rhode Island did not show up so the articles cannot be revised
54
What were four political experience included among the delegates at the Philadelphia convention?
- eight had served in state constitutional convention
- seven were governors
- eight had signed the declaration of independence
- two had signed articles of confederation
55
What for occupations were included among the delegates at the Philadelphia convention?
- 33 lawyers
- eight business owner
- six planters
- three doctors
56
Who presided over the Philadelphia convention?
George Washington from Virginia
57
Who was the first delegate to arrive at the Philadelphia convention and what is he also known as?
James Madison who is also known as the father of the constitution
58
What needed to be decided at the Philadelphia convention?
What’s this going to be a government of 13 Independent states or government of the United States?
59
Who was the first person to speak at the Philadelphia convention?
Edmund Randolph the governor of Virginia
60
What was Edmund Randolph‘s contribution to the Philadelphia convention?
First speaker and creator of a new form of government called the Virginia plan also known as the large state plan
61
What is another name for the Virginia plan?
The large states plan
62
What were the two key points of the Virginia plan?
- two house legislature
• both based on population or wealth
- National executive chosen by the legislature
63
What occurred as a result of the proposition of the Virginia plan?
William Paterson from New Jersey suggested counterproposal called the New Jersey plan a.k.a. the small states plan?
64
What is another name for the New Jersey plan?
The small states plan
65
What were three key points of the New Jersey?
- continuation of articles with the following changes
• Congress has the power to tax and regulate trade
• Congress would choose an executive of more than one person
• National supreme court would hear appeals only
66
Who suggested what is a counter proposal to both the Virginia plan and the New Jersey plan?
Alexander Hamilton suggested the unitary plan
67
What were four key points of Alexander Hamilton’s unitary plan?
- Congress would have two houses with different terms
- A chief executive could be elected for life
- The national judicial system would have substantial power
- all state laws would have to agree with the constitution otherwise they would be declared Noll and void
68
T OR F
Since everyone hated Hamilton his plan was forgotten about entirely...?
FALSE
Even though the hated Hamilton his plan was eventually adopted
69
Under the unitary plan what three things would the president have the power to do?
- veto laws
- Direct wars
- pardon wrong doers
70
Hamiltons plan was so extreme that was not openly debated however it was important because of what two things?
- parts of it was used
| - it made the Virginia plan look moderate
71
T OR F
Hamiltons plan was so extreme that it was not openly debated at the Philadelphia convention?
TRUE!
72
What were the six compromises made at the Philadelphia convention?
- The great compromise
- The 3/5 compromise
- The slave trade
- The trade compromise
- The choosing of an executive
- The national court system
73
What dealt with representation and settle differences between large and small states?
The great compromise
74
According to the great compromise how would Congress and the legislative branch be split up and what would it take for a law to Pass through?
Congress would consist of two houses, the Senate would have two senators per state, the house of representatives would be based on population. However, laws have to pass to the house and the senate to take affect.
75
What is it known as when slaves would count as 3/5 towards a states taxation and population?
The 3/5 compromise
76
What occurred when the topic of the slave trade was brought up at the Philadelphia convention and how was it solved?
South Carolina and Georgia threaten to leave if they dealt with this matter. The compromise was that they would not deal with it or talk about it until after 1808
77
What was the feeling from southerners when the topic of trade compromise was brought up at the Philadelphia convention?
Southerners were afraid a northern majority in Congress might discriminate against the agricultural trade which was export
78
What was the compromise made about trading at the Philadelphia convention?
- 2/3 majority in the Senate to ratify a treaty
| - never a tax on exports
79
At the Philadelphia convention how would the choosing of an executive be decided?
by the electoral college provided the states choose electors and the electors choose presidents
80
Once the Constitution was completed how many people signed it?
39
81
What does article 7 say about how the government should go into affect?
Article 7 says it provided the government would go into effect when approved by popularly elected conventions and nine state
82
Why was article 7 of the Declaration of Independence worded the way it was?
- State legislatures would’ve rejected
| - a union of people not a compact of states
83
What were people that favourite the constitution called?
federalists
84
Name two federalists from New York?
- Alexander Hamilton
| - Jay
85
Name two federalists from Virginia?
- James Madison
| - George Washington
86
What were three advantages the federalists had?
- They were well organized
- They were wealthy
- They controlled the press
87
What were people who oppose the constitution called?
Anti-federalists
88
Name three anti-federalist and where they are from?
- Patrick Henry\Virginia
- Samuel Adams\Massachusetts
- General George Clinton\New York
89
What are two major criticisms of the declaration of independence according to anti-federalists?
- Lacked Bill of Rights
| - Took power from the states
90
Who was the first state to join the ratification of the declaration of independence?
Delaware
91
By June 1788 they had their nine states but why was it still not ratified?
The two most important states haven’t voted yet ( New York and Virginia )
92
Why had Virginia not voted to ratified the Declaration of Independence yet?
Virginia was in on contingency\add a Bill of Rights
93
Why had New York not voted to ratify the constitution yet?
They were under the influence of anti-federalist general George Clinton. Hamilton Madison NJ brought the Federalist papers which caused New York to vote yes on the contingency\add a Bill of Rights.
94
What was the division of power by central and state government?
The federalist system
95
How does the state in central government under the federal system get the power?
They both get their power from the people not each other
96
What 4 things do state powers under the federalist system include?
- Education
- Welfare
- Marriage and divorce
- Intrastate commerce
97
What is trade with in states?
Intrastate commerce
98
Under the federalist system what 4 things did national government powers include?
- Foreign commerce
- Foreign relations
- Coinage of money
- Interstate commerce
99
What is trade outside of state?
foreign commerce
100
What is trade between states?
Interstate commerce
101
In the federalist system how was the government split up?
People left two sets of representatives, but people pay taxes due to governments, they obey laws from two sometimes three governments
102
What are two reasons why the federalist system is only practical solution?
- The creation of a single all powerful government was unpopular
- The articles had failed
103
What are the three powers the national government has according to the first three articles of the Constitution?
- delegated or express
- implied powers
- concurrent powers
104
What three things are considered delegated or expressed powers?
- coining money
- establishing a postal system
- admitting new states
105
What is another name for delegated powers?
expressed powers
106
What is another name for implied powers?
elastic clause
107
What is it called when the government can change anything as long as it is in its original jurisdiction?
Implied powers
108
T OR F
Powers given to the national government are also given to the individual states...?
FALSE
Powers not given to the national government are reserved to the states
109
What are powers that are shared by both governments called?
Concurrent
110
What are four examples of concurrent powers?
- taxing
- borrowing
- enforce laws
- establish courts
111
What is it called when power is divided within one government?
Separation of power
112
What are the three branches of government is divided into?
Executive legislative and judicial branch
113
What two writers said separation of power was a good thing?
Locke and Montesquieu
114
What does the legislative branch do?
congress
| makes the laws
115
What does the executive branch do?
enforce the laws
116
What does the judicial branch do?
Supreme Court
| interpret the laws
117
In what three ways is power separated in the United States government?
- Three separate independent and equal departments\branches
- The Constitution provides for gradual change
- Checks and balances
118
In what four ways does the constitution provide for gradual change?
- members of the house (2 yrs)
- senators( six years with a two-year stagger)
- President ( 4 yrs )
- Supreme court justices ( in for life )
119
Explain checks and balances in the process of ratifying a law...?
Congress makes a law, executive branch can veto it, judicial branch can declare it unconstitutional
each branch has the ability to stop the other
120
Under the unitary system... state governments were concisered...?
subsidiaries
