Chapter 7- A More Perfect Nation Flashcards
What is a bicameral legislature?
2 Houses
What is a gov. in which citizens rule through elected representatives?
A republic
What was America’s first constitution?
Articles of Confederation
When was the Articles of Confederation adopted?
November 1777
How many voted did each state get in congress under the Articles of Confederation?
One
Why was the Articles of Confederation unsuccessful?
The government it provided wasn’t strong enough to handle all the problems of the country
What created one territory out of the lands north of the Ohio River and east of the Mississippi River?
Northwest Ordinance
The Northwest Ordinance was the first attempt to stop what?
Slavery
The Northwest Ordinance was a _________ of __________ for the new settlers.
Bill of Rights
What is the name of the state in modern Northeast Tennessee that tried to become the 14th state of America?
State of Franklin
What year did Tennessee become a state and what number was it?
1796 and 16th
What is a depression?
Decrease in economic activity and high unemployment
What was Shays’ Rebellion?
An uprising of by Massachusetts farmers to fight the gov. taxes on poor farmers
What were the two plans presented at the Constitutional Convention?
Virginia Plan: strong national government
and
New Jersey Plan: strong state government
What combined the VA and NJ Plan and established the model that is used for congress today?
The Great Compromise
What is the Three Fifths Compromise?
Allowed Southern states to count slaves as 3/5 of one free person for representation
Where would the southern states gain more delegates due to the Three Fifths Compromise?
House of Representatives
What was a Federalist?
People that support the constitution
What was a book of essays that supported the constitution?
The Federalists Papers
What is an amendment?
Changes to the Constitution
How many states originally approved the constitution? _______ out of _______?
9/13
What is the supreme law of the land?
The constitution
What was James Madison considered to be the father of?
Father of the Constitution
Who was an influential writer from the Enlightenment who believed every person has natural rights?
John Locke
What type of system states that power should be shared between the natural and state governments?
Federal System
What is the final authority in the Federal system?
The Constitution
What are the three branches of government?
Judicial, Legislative, and Elective
Which branch makes law and consists of Congress?
Legislative
Which branch carries out the law?
Executive
What did the constitution have that the Articles of Confederation not have?
A president
What power does the president have to check congress?
Veto power
Who elects the president of the U.S.?
Electoral College
Which branch interprets the law and makes decisions based on the constitution?
Judicial
What is the most distinctive feature of our government?
The separation of powers
Why did the Constitution provide a system of Checks and Balances?
It help keep one branch from gaining too much power
