Unit 3 Flashcards
The U.S. Constitution
What were three positive accomplishments of the Confederation Congress?
- Won revolutionary war
- Negotiated Treaty of Paris
- Organized Northwest Territory
What were the 5 major weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?
- Federal Government too Weak
- Had war debt but no power to tax
- There was fighting among states (acting like 13 separate nations)
- There was only 1 branch and the government could make laws but not enforce them
- No respect from foreign nations
What did the Northwest Ordinance of 1787 establish?
Established rules for territories to become states
- 60,00 people
What did Shay’s Rebellion show about the federal government under the Articles of Confederation?
Showed how weak the national government was as they did not have the authority to assist a state in need
What issues and events led to the meeting in Philadelphia that became known as the Constitutional Convention?
Shay’s Rebellion, they realized they need a stronger federal government
When and Where was the Constitutional Convention
Summer of 1787, Philadelphia PA
What was the purpose of the Constitutional Convention?
To strengthen national government
Who was James Madison?
Author of the Virginia Plan. “Father of Constitution”
Wrote the federalists papers
What did the Virginia Plan say
Called for two house legislature with representatives based on population for both houses
Also called for 3 branches in the federal government (Judicial, Executive, and Legislative)
What did the New Jersey Plan state?
Called for one house in legislature with equal representation with 1 vote per state
Who liked the New Jersey Plan
smaller states
Who supported the Virginia Plan
Larger states
What did the Great Compromise state?
Two houses in congress with house of representatives based on population and senate with an equal number per state (2 per state)
What was the 3/5 compromise and why did they have to create it?
Stated that 3/5 of slaves were to be counted when determining representation and state tax money
Argued because they couldn’t agree whether to count slaves in population
Who were the two major Anti-Federalists
George Mason, Patrick Henry
What were the beliefs of Anti-Federalists
Opposed the constitution and felt it gave too much power to federal government.
Worried that it did not guarantee individual rights and needed a Bill of Rights
Who were the main 3 Federalist leaders?
Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison
What were the beliefs of Federalists?
Supported constitution and thought it created good balance between state and federal governments.
They supported strong national governments
Who wrote the Federalist papers
John Jay, James Madison, and Alexander Hamilton
Why were the Federalist papers written?
To convince people to ratify the new constitution
Be able to list 7 Principles of Constitution
Yes
Popular Sovereignty
Government gets power from the people
“We the people”
Republicanism
People elect representatives to govern
Federalism
Power is shared between national and state governments
