Chapter 2: The Constitution Flashcards
Declaration of Independence
equality
natural rights
self-rule
Articles of Confederation
- made federal gov weak
- faced many problems
Problems w/ the Articles of Confederation
national debt
taxation (apportioned by congress, collected by states)
trade wars (federal gov & states had power to coin money)
military weakness (emphasized by Shay’s Rebellion)
*all collective action problems
1787 Constitutional Convention
majority vs. minority rule small vs. large states legislative vs. executive power national vs. state power slave vs. non-slave states
majority vs. minority rule
- checks & balances created bc concerned about minority
- amendments (know 2 ways to propose)
small vs. large states
large states = Virginia Plan = House
small states = New Jersey Plan = Senate
great compromise = House + Senate
legislative vs. executive power
divisie point was election of president:
-decided on electoral college
national vs. state power
Supremacy Clause: all laws in constitution trump state laws
Reserved Powers: powers that are not given to the national gov by the constitution, or not prohibited by the states, are reserved by the states of the people
slave vs. non-slave states
each state counts as 3/5 of a person for determining the # of house members and distribution of taxes
North: 3/4 South: 1/2 Madison: 3/5
*Virginia against
federalists
favored a strong national gov and a system of separated powers
antifederalists
favored strong state govs and feared that a strong national gov would be a threat to individual rights
Necessary and Proper Clause
grants Congress the power to pass all laws related to one of its expressed powers
power of the purse
constitutional power of congress to raise and spend money
judicial review
the supreme court’s power to strike down a law or executive branch action that it finds constitutional
commerce clause
gives Congress the power to regulate commerce among the states
