Formation of U.S.government Flashcards
When were the Articles of Confederation ratified?
1781
What was the purpose of the Articles of Confederation?
Establish national government
Who drafted the Articles of Confederation?
Second Continental Congress
How many states ratified the Articles of Confederation?
All 13 states
What type of government did the Articles create?
Weak central government
What was the structure of the national government under the Articles?
Single-house legislature
How many votes did each state have in Congress?
One vote
Did the Articles establish a strong central government?
No
What was lacking in the government structure?
No executive or judiciary
What powers were granted to Congress?
Foreign affairs, war, treaties
What could Congress manage?
Relations with Native Americans
What financial power did Congress lack?
No power to tax
What were some financial difficulties faced by the government?
Had to request funds
What was a significant issue with authority under the Articles?
No regulation of commerce
What was required for amendments to the Articles?
Unanimous consent
What power did Congress lack under the Articles?
Enforcement powers
What event highlighted the weaknesses of the Articles?
Shays’ Rebellion
What prompted Shays’ Rebellion?
Economic hardships
When was the Constitutional Convention held?
1787
Where was the Constitutional Convention held?
Philadelphia
What was the purpose of the Constitutional Convention?
Revise Articles of Confederation
How many states participated in the Constitutional Convention?
12 states
Which state did not participate in the Convention?
Rhode Island
Who presided over the Constitutional Convention?
George Washington
What nickname is James Madison known by?
Father of the Constitution
What did James Madison contribute to the Convention?
Drafting and promoting Constitution
Who advocated for a strong central government?
Alexander Hamilton
Who provided wisdom and support for compromise?
Benjamin Franklin
What did the Great Compromise resolve?
Representation in Congress
What type of legislature was created by the Great Compromise?
Bicameral legislature
How is representation in the House of Representatives determined?
Based on population
How is representation in the Senate determined?
Equal for each state
What did the Three-Fifths Compromise address?
Counting enslaved individuals
What fraction of the enslaved population was counted for representation?
Three-fifths
What did the Commerce and Slave Trade Compromise allow?
Congress to regulate trade
How long was the slave trade prohibited from being banned?
20 years
What interests did the Commerce and Slave Trade Compromise balance?
Northern and Southern
What system was established by the Electoral College?
Electing the President
What concerns did the Electoral College balance?
Popular vote vs congressional selection
What are the three branches of government?
Executive, Legislative, Judicial
What is the purpose of checks and balances?
Limit each branch’s power
What is federalism?
Division of powers
Which powers are delegated to the federal government?
National powers
What is shared between the national government and states?
Shared powers
How many states were required for ratification of the Constitution?
Nine
Who were the two main groups in the ratification debates?
Federalists and Anti-Federalists
What did Federalists support?
New Constitution and stronger government
Why did Federalists believe a strong central government was necessary?
Maintain order, defense, regulate trade
Who was a key author of the Federalist Papers?
Alexander Hamilton
Who supported the Constitution and played a major role in drafting it?
James Madison
Who co-authored the Federalist Papers?
John Jay
How many essays are in the Federalist Papers?
85 essays
What was the purpose of the Federalist Papers?
Ratify the Constitution
What concerns did the Federalist Papers address?
Lack of Bill of Rights
What did Anti-Federalists oppose?
New Constitution
Why did Anti-Federalists fear the new Constitution?
Too much power to national government
What did Anti-Federalists worry about?
Absence of individual rights protections
Who was a vocal critic of the Constitution?
Patrick Henry
What did George Mason require to sign the Constitution?
Bill of Rights
Who was concerned about centralized power?
Samuel Adams
What did Anti-Federalist writings argue against?
The Constitution
What was the primary Anti-Federalist concern?
Absence of Bill of Rights
What was promised for ratification in several states?
Bill of Rights
When was the Constitution ratified?
1788
Which state was the first to ratify the Constitution?
Delaware
What were the first ten amendments to the Constitution called?
Bill of Rights
When were the Bill of Rights ratified?
1791
Which key states ratified the Constitution after assurances for a Bill of Rights?
Virginia and New York
What concerns did the Bill of Rights address?
Anti-Federalist concerns
What individual freedoms were protected by the Bill of Rights?
Speech, press, assembly, religion
