Leading up the the Constitution Flashcards
What is the constitution?
a written code that government lacked the authority to change
Which Continental congress assumed government funtions?
2nd
Which political philosophy was inherent in the Dec. of Ind?
John Locke’s Two Treatises of Government, underpinned by the governed peoples’ “natural rights” of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness
What are the articles of confederation? adopted by whom? what were congress’s powers?
the articles created a unicameral national government legislature (confederation Congress) delegates were appointed by state legislatures
powers: declare war, develop foreign policy, coin money, borrow money, regulate native american affairs, run post office
the 2nd cont. congress, approved by 13 states in 1781.
weaknesses of the articles of confed:
could not directly tax or regulate interstate and foreign trade. it could only ask states for money
commerce was chaotic, for states could impose their own duties
congress could not raise its own army
war and peace, treaties, required approval of 9 states
LACK OF EXECUTIVE POWER= LACK OF EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP
what incident spurred the annapolis convention?
Shay’s Rebellion (a revolt by debtor farmers in mass.)
Which state did not participate in the Constitutional Convention of 1787?
Rhode Island
Explain the Virginia Plan. Who proposed it?
lower house elected by whom?
upper house by?
representation based on?
What’s council of revision?
James Madison.it called for a bicameral legislature ( think w. virginia and virginia)
voters
chosen by lower house from candidates nominated by state legislatures
population
exec and judges, able to veto laws passed by congress
Explain New Jersey Plan
kind of legislature? how is it chosen?
which powers would be obtained?
what did exec consist of? who did they appoint?
supported by small states- less radical
unicameral. legislature chosen by state legislature (1 vote per state)
power to tax and power to regulate commerce
multiperson exec chosen by legislature. appointed judges to supreme court
proportional rep?
by population
equal rep?
one state, one vote
What is the Great Compromise? (Connecticut Compromise)
house of rep is chosen by population, by voters
senate: 2 senators per state, chosen by legislature
How was pop. determined in the case of slaves?
Did const. convention allow continuation of slave trade?
3/5 compromise
yes, until 1808
How is exec (president) elected?
What is electoral College?
how many ppl to electors vote for?
how is tie determined?
legislators of each state choose electors equal to # of rep in congress
2 (1 can’t be from state)
most votes= president
2nd highest votes= vp
house of rep votes, each state has 1 vote
did term of office have a limit?
nope
