Quiz 2 Flashcards
What document served as the governing document during the revolution before the Constitution?
The Articles of Confederation
When did people in the AOC times think democratic gvmt was possible in terms of relationships and the size of territories?
Small territories where people had direct relationships with their reps
What was the idea behind the gvmt with the AoC? (Colony size, dynamic with people)
Colonies were too big to be a real gvmt, and people need to have relationship with a gvmt to accept/trust it
How was having 1 gvmt for a large area viewed as? Why?
tyranny, relationship with British gvmt
What was the balance of power with the AoC?
Strong state, weak national gvmt
Why was the AoC against a strong national gvmt?*
Possible oppression
What were the problems with an overcentralized gvmt?
Oppression, lack of representation
What did they find with the AoC?
You need an executive to get things done
Why did the AoC fail? What couldn’t it do?
The weak ventral government was unworkable. It couldn’t conduce foreign policy, regulate, trade, defend borders (EG NAs), or handle interstate disputes (Can’t adjucate, need unanimous agreement)
What was wrong with Congress during the AoC?
It didn’t fully use its powers and tried to appease the states instead of exercising power, so nothing got done
What were the state gvmt failures during the AoC? What type of government did this resemble?
Lockean principles not being met, Constitutional convention wanted to move power up and away from states, states passing too many and unjust laws, subject to change, severe abuse of power, people too close to gvmt, governors lack knowledge and experience
Extensive/simple democracy
What was the msot immediate concern for the founders and constitutional convention while rewriting the AoC?*
Protection of property
What did the elites think of the state gvmt?
It was too influenced by the popular majority, and they had dangerous tendencies
What was the main problem with the gvmt during the AoC? Why was this an issue?
Too democratic- pop vote means majority can make a lot of bad choices
What idea was the constitution founded on?
Some distance from the people is necessary to give them what they need instead of what they want
What are the benefits of having a more powerful federal gvmt?
It creates an effective national government and reduces state power, creating a more effective government
What did the constitution need to protect?
Private property
What were the relations with the AoC?
States and articles, not people and articles
How did elections work with the Constitution?
People can elect members to the House of Representatives and direct regulation of commerce
For the Constitution to work, it must connect with people over and against ____________.
State governments.
How does the Constitution limit the federal government’s power?
Prevents laws from being passed that are detrimental to the people’s interests
What was Madison hoping to achieve? Did this end up happening? (EDIT: When was he trying to achieve this?_
Constitutional negative- for Congress to be able to directly intervene and keep state laws from passing
Not then, but it exists now (If laws are unconstitutional)
What part of government does the Bill of Rights operate on?
The Federal government
What were people’s issues with the AoC?
States have less power, elite have more
Was a revisal of the AoC proposed? Why or why not? (EDIT: rephrase)
Revisal rejected decentralization
What did each state have according to AoC?
Sovreignty, freedom, independence, and every power, jurisdiction, and right not expressly given to Congress assembled
Can there be any interaction (effectively) with a king, prince, or another state?
Yes, but there needs to be congressional approval
Are treaties, confederations, or alliances allowed? *
Yes, but there needs to be congressional approval first
Can states engage in war without Congressional approval? *
No, except for a few circumstances (Invasions or receiving advice against NAs to invade w/ imminent danger, sending/receiving ambassadors, treaties/alliances minus treaties of commerce where legislative power of respective states will be reserved from imposing imposts, prohibiting exports/imports, determining legal/illegal land/water captures, division of prizes, appointing piracy/felony courts/courts for appeal processes (Congress can’t judge appeal courts) marque/reprisal letters unless war has been declared, then only against group you’re at war with and pirates)
Who determines whether the US is in a state of peace or war, except for circumstances mentioned previously?
Congress
Who is the last resort for state boundary appeals?
Congress
How did you appeal Congress’ decision? (EDIT: Double check) *
You couldn’t- it’s the final ruling
Who could regulate the value of money? Did any other sources have other similar rights?
Congress, but states could fix the standard of weight and measures through US
What was the Committee of the States? (EDIT: Double check)
-1 delegate/state
-Handled general affairs of the US
What did 9/13 states have to agree to to pass?
-Engaging in war
-Granting letters of marque/reprisal in times of peace
-Entering into treaties/alliances
-Regulating value of coin $
-Measuring sums/expenses necessary for welfare of US (or any state)
-Emitting bills
-Borrowing $ on US’s credit (EDIT: Double check)
-Questions on any point, except for adjourning from day to day unless by majority on campus (EDIT: Clarity)
How many states can execute Congress’ powers?
9/13
What states are subject to the determinations of the US in Congress assembled?
All of them
What states are subject to the AoC?
All of them
Is the AoC absolute?
No, it can be ratified
What was the concern with Adam’s principles?
They may have misled some members of the Convention
What did John Adams believe administration would be motivated by?
Private interest/ambition
Why did John Adams want an opposition of interests?
It would best secure the people’s rights because of people wanting to serve their own intersts
What are the requirements for a republican/free government?
Virtuous people and fairly equal property division
People must have total power, or what will happen? (Small republic argument) (EDIT: WHO WROTE IT?)
An aristocracy, monarchy, or despotism
Why should government be simple? (Small republic argument)
So people know where issues lie if something goes wrong
Does the Small republic argument say freedom is practicable with populations of all sizes? If not, what are the limitations?
No- may not work due to large size and that small areas united in foreign and general concerns are the only method of ruling
Why is having local governments instead of one big government beneficial?
You can address all local issues
What was the general consensus about states being secured on principles of the Confederation of Sovreign states? (EDIT: Why?)
It couldn’t be done
Could compulsive observation of federal law ever be reduced to practice?
No
What was the solution proposed in the work of the Constitutional convention?
A government that operates without citizen’s intervention
What were the objectives of the Constitutional Convention? * (EDIT: 4th objective)
To unite a proper energy in the executive and a proper stability in legislative departments with republican characteristics
To create a line of distinction between matters handled by the general government vs state government
Providing for everyone’s different interests
To adjust clashing pretensions of larger small states
What were the 2 main options for reelection?
Long term, no possibility of reelection or short term with possible reelection
How did James Madison feel about a check on the states? Why? (EDIT: Clarity)
He thought it was necessary to prevent encroaching on general authority and to prevent instability and injustice in state legislation
In the American Constitution, where does the general authority come from?
Subordinate authority
Who does the Senate represent with the American Constitution?
States politically
