Government Ch. 2 Flashcards
Bicameral
2 houses (legislative)
Charter
Direct control of the people (only two colonies used this type of colonial government)
Limited Government
The government is not all powerful
Petition of Right
Occurred in 1628, signed by Charles I established the idea that even the monarch must obey the law.
Proprietary
Has direct control of the proprietor (only 3 colonies used this colonial government)
Representative Government
Government should serve the will of the people.
Three-Fifths Compromise
Could slaves be counted as population?
- Slaves must be counted as three-fifths of a person
- Must pay three-fifths of a head tax.
Anti-federalist
Opposed to the new constitution.
Led by Patrick Henry.
Commerce and Slave Trade Compromise
The South was afraid that Congress would tax exports to help fund the government.
Feared they would stop the slave trade.
1. Congress was forbidden from taxing exports
2. Congress could not regulate the slave trade for 20 years.
Federalist
They were in favor of the new constitution
Magna Carta
Occurred in 1215, signed by King John and established the principle that the monarchy was not absolute.m
Royal
Direct control of the crown (8 colonies)
Quorum
The majority
Unicameral
One house (legislative)
Ratification
Ratification is official approval
The Articles of Confederation
First constitution of USA - drafted during the revolution in 1777
Est. “a firm league of friendship” based on mutual trust
Each state kept its own sovereignty, freedom, and independence!
Only had one branch of government
Legislative
Very little power given to central government. Why?
Confederate form - power in the local (states)
Great Compromise - Connecticut
- Bicameral Legislative
Representation:
Based on population in the lower house and equal representation in the upper house (compromise) - Executive -1
- Judiciary - Supreme Court and state courts
- Gave co-equal powers to Central and local governments (Federal)
Framers
Groups of delegates (55) sent to Philadelphia during the summer of 1797.
The Virginia Plan
“Father of our Constitution”
James Madison’s solution
The New Jersey Plan
The solution of William Patterson.
Philadelphia Convention
Convention in Philadelphia held by James Madison. Delegates met with the main purpose of revising the Articles of Confederation, but they ended up scraping the whole thing.
Second Continental Congress
Occured in 1775. It was the first time all the colonies united! (First National Government) during the war for independence.
What were the weakness of the Articles of Confederation?
no power to tax (borrow)
no power to regulate trade
no power to enforce laws
Amendments (changes to the articles) only the consent of all 13 states!!
What were the reasons that people opposed the new Constitution
Too much power given to the federal government (Feds)
No Bill of Rights (People)
What was Shay’s Rebellion about?
It was a revolt against land/home taxes. The banks started to foreclose soldiers home and land.
What were the major provisions of the Virginia Plan?
- 3 separate branches
- Bicameral - Legislature
- Representation based on population or the amount of $ you gave the government
- National Executive (1- President)
- National Judiciary (1- Supreme Court)
- Greatly increased powers for the central government (tax, regulate trade, etc.) UNITARY!
What were the major provisions of the New Jersey Plan
- 3 branches
- Unicameral -Legislature Representation - equal - one vote per state
- National Executive (3 people)
- National Judiciary - Supreme Court + state courts
- Limited powers to the central government/shared with the states - Federal
What are the major sources of the Constitution?
Greece (democracy)
Rome (republic based on the law)
Great Britain (limited government)
What was the major issue of contention over the plans?
The representation in the Legislative branch.
Who favored the new Constitution?
Federalists
Who opposed the new Constitution?
Anti-federalists
Who was not at the Constitutional Convention and why?
Patrick Henry wasn’t there because he “smelt a rat”
and John Adams and Thomas Jefferson (diplomates in Europe) etc. Were not there.
Constitution
Fundamental laws that are an established principles of government
Confederation
Power is in the local agencies (states)
Albany Plan Of Union
Took place in 1754, an attempt to address the colonial trade and unite during the French and Indian War
