History studying 5.2-5.3 Flashcards
Delegate
a person who represents other people at a meeting
PA convention
~goal to improve AOC
~1787
~55 delegates (framers) most rich men, played important role in war
James Madison
“father of Constitution”
~strong gov.
George Washington
became leader bc ppl needed him not bc he wanted too
Ben Franklin
~81
~poor health
~PA delegate
~encouraged ppl to cooperate
Gouverneur Morris
~NY delegate
~served in militia and NY legislature
Who didn’t attend the PA Convention?
~Thomas Jefferson (in France)
~John Adams (in England)
~Patrick Henry (don’t want strong national gov. “I smell a rat”)
~no women, African Americans, or poor
Ideas included in the Constitution
- Federal gov. have limited powers
- promote good and defend rights
- strong nation gov
- republican gov. of elected rep.
- separation of powers (checks and balances)
Equal Representation
Idea that each state would have the same # of representatives in Congress
~ small states wanted equal rep.
Proportional Representation
The # of representatives in Congress was based on # of people living in a state
~big states wanted proportional rep.
Virginia Plan
Plan developed by Edmond Randolph and James Madison for a strong national gov.
1. 3 branches
2. proportional rep in each house
3. 2 houses (House of Rep and Senate)
New Jersey Plan
William Paterson developed new system to favor small state rep.
1. equal rep.
2. 1 branch
3. weak national gov.
Great Compromise
Compromise to solve rep. problem
1. Congress has 2 houses (Senate and House of Rep.)
2. Membership in House of Rep: PROPORTIONAL
3. Membership in Senate: EQUAL
3/5 Compromise
only 3/5 of states slave population counted when determining rep.
Federalism
sharing of power between central gov. and states that make up a country
popular sovereignty
idea that political authority belongs to ppl
Legislate Branch
Congress
~proposing and passing laws
a) Senate: Upper House (100 members)
b) House of Rep: Lower House (435 members)
Executive Branch
President
~running gov. (laws carried out, Commander in Chief of military)
Judicial Branch
National courts
~interpret laws, punish crime, settle dispute
~Federal courts, state courts, lower courts
Checks and Balances
keeps any branch of gov. from having 2 much power
Federalist
Strong national gov. (supports constitution)
Anti- Federalist
Weak national gov.
~opposed Constitution
~Bill of Rights
Federalist papers
Collection of essays that promote Constitution
What state was the first to ratify the Constitution?
Delaware
