Constitution Events and People Flashcards
Articles of Confederation
America’s first attempt of making a government. It is the first national constitution in March of 1781. This didn’t work because…
1) Congress had no way to enforce the laws they could make. That meant people could ignore these laws.
2) Congress didn’t have the power to collect taxes to pay for the military.
3) The articles could only be changed if 9 out of 13 states agreed.
Constitutional Convention
The Constitutional Convention was a convention held to resolve the problems of the Articles of Confederation. Each state sent delegates of their own. 65 official delegates were picked, but 55 went to the convention. It was held in May of 1787.
New Jersey Plan
This plan was supported by the smaller states. According to the plan, Congress had to be unicameral with each state having the same number of Congress men. This plan was based on equality.
Virginia Plan
This plan was proposed by states with larger population. Congress should be bicameral. The 1st house would be elected by the people, then the 2nd house would be elected by the 1st house. The number of Congress men had to be decided by the population of the state. This plan was based on population.
Great Compromise
The great compromise was an agreement reached by the delegates. The Congress was bicameral. First house was called the House of Representatives. This house was elected by the people (for 2 yrs.). The second house was called the Senate. This house was elected by the people for 6 years, but each state has 2 senators.
3 branches of Governnment
The three branches are…
1) Legislative Branch - makes laws to govern the country, checks the judicial and executive.
2) Judicial Branch - Headed by the Supreme Court. Interprets or explain the laws.
3) Executive Branch - Carries out the laws passed by the legislative.
Checks and Balances
Each branch of the government checks on the other two branches.
Separation of Powers
Each branch has its own specific responsibility. Part of each responsibility is to check the power of the other branches. That way, no branch can overpower the other branches. Each branch is balanced.
3/5 Compromise
3/5 of the slaves would be counted as population in determining the number of Congressmen in the H.O.R. 3/5 of the slaves would be counted for taxation purposes.
Bill of Rights
The Bill of Rights was a name for the first 10 amendments of the constitution.
Ratifying the Constitution
The first state to ratify the constitution was Delaware. The last state to ratify the constitution was Rhode Island. All 13 states had ratified the constitution.
James Madison
He was considered “The Father of the Constitution.”
