History chapter 4 Flashcards
Americas first national constitution
Articles of Confederation
Forerunner of the constitution in America
Mayflower compact
A firm league of friendship the central government is subordinate to state governments and has only the powers which they grant it
Confederacy
Provided for the surveying of western lands in the northwest territory and the orderly sale of the land to settlers
Land ordinance of 1785
Provided a plan of government for the territory
Northwest Ordinance of 1787
Limited for Massachusetts put the fear of anarchy into the hearts of Americans
Shay’s rebellion
Brand new constitution of the United States to solve the nation’s pressing problems
Great decision
Called for a bicameral legislature but since it would have given more populous states an advantage in representation it was unacceptable to the smaller states based on state population
Virginia Plan
All states having equal representation proposed unicameral
New Jersey Plan
The national legislature would be bicameral in the upper house each state would get 2 seats and the members would be chosen by the state legislatures
Connecticut Compromise
Agreed that the three fifths of a states slave population would be counted in determining both taxation and representation
Three Fifths Compromise
Agreed that congress could regulate interstate and foreign commerce
Commerce and Slave Trade Compromise
Divides power between the national government and the state government
Federalism
To minimize the chance of tyranny from anyone branch of government
Checks and balances
Constitution convention in Philadelphia
Independence Hall
President of convention
George Washington
Oldest delegate at 81
Benjamin Franklin
Father of the Constitution
James Madison
Literally wrote the final draft of the document
Gouverneur Morris
The idea for the separation comes from him and checks and balances
Charles de Montesquieu
Describes the relationship between government and the states
Article 4
Established the executive branch
Article 2
Describes the Constitution as the Supreme law of the land
Article 6
Established the legislative branch
Article 1
Provides for amendments to the constitution
Article 5
Set guidelines for the ratification of the constitution
Article 7
Established judicial branch
Article 3
The documents that the foundation for many state constitutions
Royal charters
The body that served as the national government for the war for independence
2nd continental congress
Accomplishments of the national government under the Articles of Confederation
Treaty of Paris
Land Ordinance of 1785
Northwest Ordinance of 1787
Three weaknesses of the articles of confederation
At least nine states had to approve any measure before it could be passed by congress
The articles did not grant congress the power to tax
The articles provided for no executive or judicial branches of government
Locations of the 2 preliminary meetings that led to the constitutional convention
Mount Vernon, Virginia
Annapolis, Maryland
When the constitutional convention was held
1787
Number of men who signed the constitution
39
The purpose and writers of the Federalists Papers
to insure that the newly drafted Constitution would be ratified to defend and explain the government
Hamilton, James Madison, and john jay
Three words that describe James Madison’s political thought
Constitutionalism
Republicanism
Federalism
Three branches of government established by the constitution and the explain the purpose of each
1) Legislative Branch-makes the laws
2) Executive Branch-enforces laws
3) Judicial Branch-interprets laws
The form of government all states in the union have according to article 4
Republican form of government
