Chapter 2: The Constitution Flashcards
What was the effect of the French Indian War?
King George began to tax the colonist after not being connected for a while. The colonist were upset because of the sudden taxes for a nation in which they didn’t even get representation
Magna Carta influenced…
The colonist when the King attempts to tax them
“No taxation without representation”
The 1st get together was…
The Stamp Act Congress
-9/13 colonies say no to England’s taxes
The Boston Tea Party happened after the Stamp Act Congress… what happened next that further upset the colonists?
The Intolerable Acts shut down the Boston Harbor and forced colonists to house soldiers
After the Intolerable Act…
The First Continental Congress
- Colonies send reps to Philadelphia- boycott British good, demand rights to assemble and trial by peers
Then… fighting @ Lexington and Concord
Second Continental Congress
-Elect George Washington to lead Continental Army
Thomas Pain
Writes Common sense, urging colonist to split from King
Thomas Jefferson writes Dec Of Indep. Influenced by…
Next what?
- John Locke
- There’s war!
Articles of Confederation
1st government after independence
- created loose league of friendship among 13 colonies
- Derived all powers from State
- Direct Democracy
Issues with Articles of Confederation
- Need 9 colonies for quorum
- no executive/judicial branch
- no strong central government to uphold treaty of Paris/collect taxes
- Shay’s rebellion
Virginia Plan
Big States
- strong national government with 3 separate branches
- representation based on pop.
New Jersey Plan
Small States
- weak national gov
- Equal reps
Great Compromise
Legislative Branch
- House of Reps - based on pop
- Senate- equal rep
3/5 Compromise
Slaves count as 3/5 a person for representation
Slave states want slaves to be counted non-slave states don’t
Basic Principles of Constitution
- Separation of Powers
- Checks and Balances
- Federalism
Article 1
Legislative Branch
- sets the 2 reps in the branch
- Enumerated Powers- laws on paper
- Necessary and Proper Clause- Congress can pass laws needed to do those clearly states laws
- Implied Powers- not stated but reasonable
Article 2
Executive Branch
Article 3
Judicial Branch
Article 5
Amending Constitution
Article 6
Supremacy Clause- states Constitution is supreme law of the Land
Federalist
- wanted balance of power between nation and state
- federalist papers
- Elitism
Anti-Federalist
- Opposed Strong central gov and constitution
- common man makes best choices
- protect freedom of press, religion, etc.
Put in writing!!!
Ratification of Bill of Rights
Anti -Feds wont sign until written on paper
- 1st Amendment - Freedom of Speech/Press/Religion
- 2nd Amendment - Right to Bear Arms
- 3rd Amendment - Right not to quartar soldiers
- 9th Amendment - More rights than these states
- 10th Amendment - Powers not mentions are left to the States
Amending Consitition
Difficult for a reason…
Formal Amendment
Changing actual document
-2/3 votes on both houses then go to states and get 3/4 support or 2/3 votes on both houses and convention of 3/4 states (states come to you)
Informal Amendments
-Not changing document but changing interpretation based on social and cultural changes
