q1 exam Flashcards
what are 2 enlightenment thinkers?
Aristotle, Cicero
Natural Rights
rights given by God or by nature to all. rights not given by law, but by birth.
rule of law
a government of laws vs. a government of one or a few. no one is above the law
social contract theory
the people (society) agree to give up some freedoms in exchange for security
popular sovereignty
a government based on the consent of the governed; power is held by the people
constitutionalism
the principle that a government’s powers are defined and limited in advance
demagogue
a leader who uses false claims and false promises to play on the popular passions and prejudices of the people in order to gain political power.
why was league of friendship a weakness of the articles of confederation?
it implied the states were independent and not united; causing conflict and distance between the states
why was no taxation enforcement a weakness of the articles of confederation?
the government couldnt collect the money it needed to pay the military, leading to the cause of Shays’ Rebellion
what is the supreme law of the land
the u.s. constitution
how was the constitution written?
in a way that anyone could read and understand it, lawyers and nonlawyers alike
which core principle is expressed in the words “We the People”
popular sovreignty
article I
legislative branch- makes law
article II
executive branch- enforces law
article III
judicial branch- interprets law
article V
outlines the amendment process
what liberties added on with the bill of rights?
free speech, free press, freedom of religion, and the right to a jury trial
what happened during the reconstruction period?
slavery was abolished, they wrote the delcaration of independence’s promise of freedom and equality into the constitution, and banned racial discrimination in voting
what was the original purpose of the constitution
to revise the articles of confederation
where did the convention take place
independence hall in Philadelphia, pennsylvania
all 13 states except which one sent delegates
rhode island
many delegates fought in _____________ ___
revolutionary war
more than half delegates were _______
lawyers
most of the delegates were _______ __________
wealthy landowners
Virginia plan
proportional representation; favored by the larger states
New Jersey Plan
equal representation; favored by smaller states
Connecticut Plan (the great compromise)
proposed 2 houses (house of reps- proportional; senate- equal)
house of representatives
house based on proportional representation
senate
house based on equal representation
electoral collage
agreed on method of electing the president of the united states
3/5 compromise
enslaved persons would be counted as 3/5 of a person when it came to drawing up congressional districts based on each states population size
what day was the constitution signed
September 17, 1787
popular sovreignty
the principle that says the power of the government comes from the people
rule of law
principle that says no one is above the law; we have a gov. of laws not men
the enlightenment
a 18th century movement focused on intellectual, philosophical, and political thought
unalienable rights
life, liberty, persuit of happiness
object of the declaration of indpendence according to George Washington in his letter to henry knox
to place before mankind the common sense of the subject, in terms so plain and firm as to command their assent, and to justify ourselves in the independent stand we are compelled to take.
according to the Declaration of independence where does the power of the government come from
comes from the consent of the governed
how did king george III abuse his rule of the American people
imposed taxation without representation, violating jury trial rights, sending standing armies in times of peace
magna carta
establishes that the Principles of the American Revolution would also serve as the foundation for the government of the United States
definition of happiness
long-term virtue
letters from a farmer in Pennsylvania to the inhabitants of the British colonies (1768)
john dickinson’s response to the taxation policies of great britian
common sense
written by thomas paine; helped him become one of Americas best selling authors; published in 1766
what was the framers goal of the constitution
create balance between national and state governments, three branches of national government, and a stronger national government and the liberties of the people
best way to protect the unalienable rights promised by the declaration of independence, was a constitution founded on __________ __ ______
separation of powers
what are the three branches of government
legislative, executive, juidical
checks and balances
grants each branch the power to check abuses by other branches
word used to describe the constitutions system of granting political power by dividing political power between national and state governments
federalism
“The Spirit of the Laws”
written by Montesquieu; articulates the importance of the separation of powers
according to Montesquieu, what happens when the legislative and executive powers are united in the same person, or in the same body of magistrates?
“there can be no liberty”
definition of republic according to john adams “thoughts on government”
“an empire of laws and not of men”
James Madison outlined his explanation and defense of the Constitution’s separation of powers in
Federalist no. 51
According to Madison, in a good government…
“Ambition must be made to counteract ambition”
what are the federalist papers?
a series of essays that defended the constitution and the notion of the separation of powers
Who said “if the men were angels, no government would be necessary”?
James Madison
examples of executive power jobs
mayor (town), governor (state), president (country)
examples of checks and balances
vetoing a law, rejecting a judicial nominee, impeachment
