SS CHAP 4 Flashcards
Constitution
Documents that set up the basic laws, and principles of a government.
Limits the power of the federal government
Confederation
alliance of independent states
Economic depression
period of time in the economy when buisness activity slows, prices and wages fall, unemployment raises,
Why did each of the 13 states create a constitution?
Spell out rights of the citizens and set limits on the power of the government
Bill of rights
list of freedoms that the government promises to protect. like Freedom of religion, press, and trial by jury
what do you need to be to vote
To vote you be white, male over 21 and own property.
Articles of confederation
The 1st constitution or set of rules for the USA
Created 13 separate countries loosely connected in times of war.
Under the articles of confederation, what powers did the federal government have?
Federal government was week with little power
States had all the power
Federal congress-each state had 1 vote, 13 total votes
Congress could do nothing without the state permission, had to ask states for money
What problems did the new nation have?
States fought over who would get ohio
Nation owed money to France, Spain, Dutch, private citizens, and every soldier who served in the American revolution.
Congress had no power to tax to pay down debt- it was up to the states
The British would not leave forts in Ohio and Spain closed New Orleans to the US.
What did the norethwest ordinance of 1787 do? What were the rules to become a state?
Established new states in ohio
Once an area had 60,000 people they could become a state
Had to set up public schools
Slavery not allowed
Why was shays rebellion and what did it cause
In massachusetts taxes raised
People lost land, couldn’t pay tax
Daniel shays a starts a rebellion
Rebellion stopped, all pardoned
All the states see problems, agree to meet philadelphia in 1787
Why did the articles of confederation fail
States had too much power
Federal government couldn’t tax or raise an army
compromise
Settlement in which each side gives up some of its demands in order to reach an agreement.
James maddison
Delegate from virginia at the constitutional convention
The author of the constitution
Alexander Hamilton
Delegate from new york at the constitutional convention
Wanted a very strong federal government
The president of the constitutional convention
George Washington
3 branches of goverment
Executive, Judicial, Legislative
Executive role
President-carry out laws
Legislative role (who and what)
Congress-pass laws
Judicial, who and what
supreme court, interpret laws
According to the virginia plan, how would a legislature be set up, types of states it planned to favor?
Legislatur has 2 houses
Upperhouse- senate
Lower house- House of representitive
Both decided by population in state
Favored big states, ex massachusetts, VA
Who wrote the NJ plan and how was it different from virginia plan?
Also had 3 branches of government
William paterson
Congress would be one house
Each state, no matter the size, would have equal power, one vote of equal weight
13 total votes
Favors small states
Who wrote the great compromise and what did it say?
Roger Sherman
Our government today
3 branches of government
executive branch- president
Judicial branch- supreme court
Legislature- Congress-2 houses
upper house-senate- 2 each state
Lower house-House of representatives-population
What was the disagreement between northern and southern states?
How would slaves be counted towards the population for the house of representitives?
What did ⅗ of the compromise say?
if a state had 5000 slaves, 3000 would be part of the population?
North wanted slaves counted as property to keep numbers down
South wanted them as people to gain more votes in the house of representatives
Slaves counted as ⅗ of a person
When was the constitution ratified?
September 17,1787
republic
a government in which citizens rule themselves through elected representatives
We vote for people to vote for us
magma carta
Document in england that limited the kings power
English bill of rights
limited kings power
Slowly protects rights of citizens
House of burgesses
Government elected in each state by its citizens, first democracy in 13 colonies
Starts in jamestown
what did enlightment thinkers believe?
people could improve society through reason and questioning authority.
What book did john lock write and what important ideas does it mention?-
Wrote Two Treatises of Government
Locke declared that all people had natural rights to life, liberty, and property were lockes ideas. (natural rights)
Social contract
Mayflower compact
Set up self-government in America.
Democracy
Government run by the people
Federalism
a division of power between the sate and federal government
Electoral colloge
The official way to elect the president
Founding fathers did not think most americans could chose a president in 1787
Check against the people
Checks and Balances
All 3 branches of the government have a check on the other
Limits the power of all 3, they all need each other to get things done
Ex: to pass a law
Starts in the house
Then to the senate
Then to the president
Then to the supreme court
bill
proposed laws
Which part of the US government can veto
president
veto
to reject or stop a bill
How much of the congress is needed to overide a veto
2/3 of both houses
impeach
to bring charges against the president
Which part of the government can impeach
House of representatives has the power to impeach
What does the government spell out?
Things the federal goverment can and cannot do
state powers
Power to regulate trade in their state
Marriage age
Driving age
Any power not in the constitution, the state can make law on
Checks in federal government
President can veto
House can impeach
Senate can convict the president
Supreme court can find laws constitutional or not
federal goverment
national government
ex washington DC
Justice
Fairness in law and politics
Domestic Transquility
Peace and security at home
Liberty
freedom to live as you please, as long as you obey the laws
idea to form a more perfect union
Goal of the states to work together as one
E plurbis Unum- poeple come from many countries but are still unitided as a country
Each branch is designed to protect other branches of union
How does the supeme court handle justive-
All people must be treated fairly regardless of racae, religon, ,gender, country of orgin,political belifs or finantial status
Judicial review- Supreme court can rule laws unconstitutional.
National system of courts-
Sets up one system of laws so laws are fair across the country
Supreme court is the top of the pyrimid
what is the national police force called?
FBI- Federal Bureau of investagation
Give examples how the constitution provides for the common defense-
National army became necessary
Protects political and economic interests
President is commander in cheif
Describe the term romote the general welfare
Collect taxes and look after citizens
Ex: Social security, food stamps, Osha,FDA
Safegaurds of liberty-
Bill of rights
Right to vote
Democracy
What amendment is the right to bear arms
2
What amendment is no cruel or unusual punishment
8
What amendment is search and seizure
4
What amendment is rights in the constitution are not the only one that exist
9
What amendment is Individual liberties like freedom of press, religion, etc
1
What amendment is rights of accused
5
What amendment is any power not given to the federal government will be given to the states
10
No quartering of troops
3
What amendment is in criminal cases a right to a trial by jury and the right to an attorny
6
The right to a jury in civil cases
7
