The constitution Flashcards
Summarizes the fundamental principles of American self-government
The preamble
Articles of confederation
League of friendship
Articles weakness
No executive
Elites
Bankers
Merchants
Manufacturers
And others in the upper class
They needed uniform laws, stable country, sound credit, and enforceable debt credit
On May 25 2 things were voted on
1 the discussions and votes would be kept secret until the conclusion of the meeting
2 George Washington was unanimously elected president of the convention
John locke
Second treatise of government, 3 concepts
Social contract, limited government, consent of the governed
Founders goal was simple
Create a government that was strong enough to prevent anarchy yet not too strong to cause tyranny
Great diversity of opinion, agreement that the government should be a republic
Republic
Big states plan
Virginia plan; two houses, representation in both based on population
Small states plan
New Jersey plan; legislature would consist of one house, with each state having one vote each
The greatest issue confronting the convention was the issue of:
Apportionment is the proportional distribution of the seats in a legislative body
The great compromise
Bicameral legislature
House of represntatives: representation based on popularity, members elected by voters, serve two year terms.
Senate: representation would be by states (equal 2), members would be selected by state legislatures,
Served 6 year terms
The 3/5 compromise: the problem
Southern states wanted them to fully in the calculus of representation
Northern states did not want slaves to count but did want them taxed as property
The 3/5 compromise solution
Delegates agreed that 3/5ths of the slaves would be counted in apportionment the seats in the house of representatives and for taxes
Results of the 3/5 compromise
Expanded the political power of slave holders
Impact on elections through the electoral college
Nine of fifteen presidents were slave owners
Institutionalized slavery in america
Fear of
Tyranny
Federalism
Division of power between the national government and the states governments
Separation of powers
The power to make enforce and interpret the laws was split into three sperate and coequal branches
Senators
6 year terms: one third uo for reelection every 2 years
Senate was a conservative brake on the house
Checks and balances
each branch has power over the others, allows each branch to intrude into the spheres of the others
To prevent
Concentration of power
Undemocratic features
Did not guarantee the right to vote
Denial of equal treatment by their government
Did not forbid slavery
Denials of political participation to some
Supporters of the constitution
Federalist
Opposed ratification of constitution
Antifederalist
Ratification
Article 7
Changing the constitution
Article 5
Judicial branch
Marbury vs. Madison 1803
Reconstruction amendments
13th 14th 15th
