Development of the US Constitution Flashcards
Which representative from Virginia was behind many of the measures leading towards the creation of the new Constitution?
James Madison
Which states successfully met in 1785 and were positive about future inter-state cooperation?
Virginia and Maryland
Which meeting of 5 states in 1786 proposed the redrafting of the Articles of Confederation?
Annapolis meeting
Which 5 states were represented at the Annapolis meeting in 1786?
New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Virginia
Where was the new US constitution drafted and debated?
Philadelphia Convention / Constitutional Convention 1787
Which state declined to participate in the Philadelphia Convention?
Rhode Island
What did the Virginia Plan propose at the Philadelphia Convention?
- Two houses
- Representation based on population
- Can veto state law
What did the New Jersey Plan propose at the Philadelphia Convention?
- One house
- Equal representation for states
- State authority protected
What was the Great Compromise?
Plan on structure of government in constitution.
Stated that:
- two houses
- Upper house (Senate) equal representation for states
- Lower house (House of Representatives) representation based on population
What was the name of the upper house of the US government (Congress) called?
Senate
What was the name of the lower house of the US government (Congress) called?
House of Representatives
What were the 3 branches of government introduced by the Constitution?
- Executive (President)
- Legislature (Congress)
- Judiciary (Supreme Court)
What principle was embedded into the Constitution to ensure no one branch of government could dominate?
Checks and balances
Which political grouping were most in favour of the new Constitution?
Federalists
What were the advantages of the Federalists during the ratification debate?
- Key figures - Washington and Franklin
- Offered a plan
- Dominated towns were local assemblies were based
- Newspapers
Why did ratification of the Constitution take longer in Massachusetts?
Key figures like Sam Adams and John Hancock were initially anti-federalists
What did Alexander Hamilton write to encourage ratification in New York?
The Federalist Papers
What was created to convince many anti-Federalists to support ratification of the Constitution?
Bill of Rights
What were some of the key amendments made in the Bill of Rights?
- Freedom of religion, press, speech
- Right to bear arms
- Powers not explicitly referenced in the Constitution to be the managed by individual states
How many states needed to agree to the Constitution for it to be formally ratified?
9 out of 13
When was the US Constitution ratified?
March 1789
Who wrote the Bill of Rights?
James Madison
How many amendments were included in the Bill of Rights?
10
Which state was last to ratify the constitution?
Rhode Island (1790)
