Unit 2 - Building a Democracy Flashcards
Congress powers under Confederation
- Coin/Borrow Money
- Declare War / Make Treaties
- Regulate Trade w/ Indians
- Settle state disputes
Biggest problems w/ Confederation Goverment
- Unicameral Congress
- One state one vote regardless of size
- No executive or Judicial branch
- National Govt. very limited power
Confederation had no Executive Branch so….
The states’ power far outweighed congress’
Primary Goals of Articles of Confederation
To appear unified, but to make sure national government did not get to powerful, and did not take rights away from citizens.
Changing the Articles of Confed required….
A unanimous vote by ALL of the states.
Constitutional Convention of 1787 (May - Sept)
Discussions to address the weaknesses of the Confederation
New Jersey Plan
Wanted small states favored, unicameral congress, and an executive branch, equal representation (regardless of popul.)
Virginia Plan
Wanted large states favored, bicameral congress, proportional representation
The Great (Connecticut) Compromise
Article 1, Establishing legislative branch w/ a Bicameral congress, w/ equal rep. in Senate, but proportional rep in House. with term limits for each.
Article 1 - Legislative Branch
Tax, Maintain Military, Coin/borrow money, regulate trade/commerce, make laws!
Fugitive Slave Clause (Article 4)
Runaway Slaves have to be returned to their owners.
Marbury V Madison
Supreme Court determines if laws are constitutional aka Judicial Review
Congress checks the Judicial Branch by…
adding more justices to the court
Enumerated powers
The big powers given to government
Reserved powers
All the left overs powers given to the states
Articles 6
If states and govt. disagree, govt. law is the “Law of the Land”
Article 1 - Necessary and proper clause
Congress shall make all laws that are necessary and proper for the country
Article 7 - Ratification
Required that before the Constitution could become effective it had to be signed by atleast 9 of the then 13 states
Anti-Federalists
Wanted more protections for individual rights to be added to the constitution and feared the Elites would be favored
Federalists
The Elites who wanted strong national govt. bc it would strengthen military and economy
The Federalist Papers
A bunch of essays written by the Framers to persuade people to ratify the constitution
Bill of Rights
A compromise written by James Madison on behalf of the Federalists to get ratification
Federalist No. 10 - James Madison
Argues that factions (political parties) could be controlled with our representative way of electing officials.
Federalist No. 51 - James Madison
Argues that Separation of Powers, coupled w/ checks and balances would prevent a tyrannical govt.
Article 3 - Judicial Branch
Created Judicial Review - Deeming laws unconstitutional
Article 2 - Executive Branch
Grants president the ability to appoint judges, ambassadors, and be commander in chief, negotiate treaties, make pardons.
