Constitution Quiz Flashcards
DOI written by _____ on what date? Who helped?
Thomas Jefferson
July 4, 1776
Adams and Franklin helped
What does the DOI discuss?
-Explains how abuses by the too powerful British crown violated individual rights
-It justified the colonists separation
-Defined newly independent states’ relationship
What did the DOI take ideas from?
Social Contract Theory
5 characteristics of American democracy
- Limited government
- Natural rights
- Popular sovereignty
- Republicanism
- Social contract
Participatory democracy?
DIRECT: originated with Aristotle and is the rule of the many.
-Citizens meet and make decision about public policy issues
-Emphasizes broad participation in politics and civil society
Elite democracy?
REPRESENTATIVE: the acquisition of power by leaders via competitive elections.
-Citizens choose officials who make decisions about public policy.
-This is the system used in most “democratic” nations.
-Emphasizes limited participation in politics and civil society.
Pluralist democracy
Recognizes group-based activism by nongovernmental interest striving for impact on political decision making.
-Interest groups
-Hyperpluralist: too many groups, causes gridlock
What does the Constitution not include?
The word democracy; instead they use “republican form of government”
8 problems with the Articles of Confederation?
- The central government consisted only of a congress in which each state was represented equally.
- No executive or judicial branches were created
- The central government could not levy taxes. It could only request money from the states.
- The central government could not regulate commerce between the states. The states taxed each other’s goods and negotiated trade agreements with other countries.
- No law enforcing powers were granted to Congress.
- Unanimous vote for amending the articles was provided.
- States retained all powers not specifically granted to Congress.
- 9/13 states were necessary to pass legislation.
When and where did the constitutional convention meet?
Philadelphia, PA
May-September 1787
Zeitgeist: “Spirit of the times”
Delegates at the convention? How many and who?
55 delegates from 13 states.
-Alexander Hamilton
-George Washington (Chairman of Convention)
-James Madison (actually wrote the Constitution)
-Benjamin Franklin (81 years old)
Who was not at the Constitutional Convention?
-Thomas Jefferson (ambassador to France)
-John Adams (ambassador to England)
-Patrick Henry (he “smelt a rat”)
-Samuel Adams (was not selected as a delegate)
Agreements and compromises?
-Agreed with John Locke that government should protect property (shay’s rebellion)
-Franklin proposed that all white males have the right to vote
-Most delegates believed only property owners should have the right to vote
Large states favored…?
Strong national government that they believed the could dominate
Small states favored…?
Stronger state governments that could avert domination by the central government
Most delegates favored…?
Bicameral legislature (two house)
VA Plan?
Proposed by Edmund Randolph, written by James Madison, supported by Alexander Hamilton
Bicameral legislature: larger house with members elected by popular vote and smaller house selected by larger house of nominees from state legislatures
Representation in both houses was to be based on wealth or numbers
National executive
National judiciary
NJ Plan?
Presented by William Paterson
Did not argue with the need for a stronger central government with the right to tax
Unicameral legislature with each state having 1 vote
The Great Compromise?
AKA CONNECTICUT COMPROMISE
Presented by Roger Sherman
-1 house in which each state would have an equal vote (The Senate)
-Another house in which representation would be based on population (House of Representatives)
Three-Fifths Compromise?
-Allowed southern states to count a slave as 3/5 of a person
-Kept balance between North and South
Electoral College?
-People selected by the state legislatures to formally cast their ballots for the presidency
-Meet on the 1st Monday after the 2nd Wednesday in December
Slavery Compromise?
-Could not prohibit the importation of slaves until 1808
-Runaway slaves must be returned
4 formal amendments?
- May be proposed by a 2/3 vote of each house of congress and ratified by at least 3/4 of the state legislatures. (all but one have been added this way)
- May be proposed by a 2/3 vote of each house of congress and ratified by specially called conventions in at least 3/4 of the states. (21st amendment)
- May be proposed by a national constitutional convention requested by at least 2/3 of the state legislatures and ratified by at least 3/4 of the state legislatures.
- May be proposed by a national constitutional convention requested by at least by at least 2/3 of the state legislatures and ratified by specially called conventions in at least 3/4 of the states.
Legislature Informal Amendment?
Can pass laws that interpret and expand the Constitutional provisions