Unit 3 Flashcards
Constitution Era
What was the Articles of Confederation, and when was it?
-The Articles of Confederation became the first form of government in America in 1781.
-1st document before the Constitution
What was the only branch of government in the Articles of Confederation, and what did it have the ability to do?
The only branch of government was legislative (representatives), which had the ability to declare war, make treaties, and borrow money.
Why was an executive (president) branch not created?
The colonists were trying to escape an all-controlling ruler such as the King of Britain.
What were the weaknesses of the articles of confederation?
-The government had no power to pass taxes (could not collect money).
-The government could not regulate (control) trade.
-9 of 13 states had to approve any changes to the government.
-There was no executive (president) branch to enforce the laws.
-The states had more power than the national government.
What was the Northwest Ordinance?
The Northwest Ordinance created a plan for the orderly addition of states to the Union.
What were the requirements for the Northwest Ordinance?
-This land forbid slavery, allowed freedom of religion and trial by jury.
-Once a territory reached a population of 60,000 they could apply to be an equal state in the Union, and they needed borders.
What happened to farms in the south after the American Revolution?
After the American Revolution, farms were damaged in the south.
As a result of the farms conditions in the south what happened to the economy?
-Trading with other countries slowed.
-As a result, farmers could not pay state taxes, and states took the farmer’s land away.
What was Shay’s Rebellion, who was a part of it, and what were they doing?
Daniel Shays led a rebellion with other farmers (who wanted their land back) by marching outside a courthouse with guns, not allowing judges inside.
What did Shay and his group almost get ahold of and who were they stopped by?
Shays and his group almost got a hold of an arsenal before the state militia stopped them.
What did Shays Rebellion result in?
Shays Rebellion resulted in many Americans wanting a stronger form of government than the Articles of Confederation.
What was the Constitutional Convention, when was it, who was a part of it, and where was it?
In 1787, our Founding Fathers met in Philadelphia to revise (redo or change) the Articles of Confederation.
What happened at the Constitutional Convention once the meeting started?
Once the meeting started, delegates (representatives) decided to create a whole new form of government instead of revising the Articles.
Why did the delegates decide to create a new Constitution?
Because the Articles of Confederation were too weak.
What was the Virginia Plan?
-The Virginia Plan suggested a branches of government (judicial, executive, and legislative) and representation in Congress based on the population of each state.
-Part of the Great Compromise
-Favored larger states
What was the New Jersey Plan?
-The New Jersey Plan recommended that representation from each be equal.
-Part of the Great Compromise
What did the Great Compromise do?
The Great Compromise created a bicameral (2 houses of representation) Congress with one house based on population, and the other house having 2 representatives from each state for equal representation.
What was the Three-Fifths Compromise?
Although the south treated slaves as property, Southerners wanted to count slaves towards their population so they could have more representation in Congress.
What was the outcome of the Three-Fifths Compromise?
Northerners and Southerners agreed to have 3 out of every 5 slaves count towards a state’s population.
What was the Magma Carta?
-The Magma Carta limited the king’s power and gave citizens the right to a trial by jury (in 1215).
-Roots of the Constitution
What were the English Bill of Rights?
-The English Bill of Rights protected certain rights of citizens from the government (in 1689).
-Roots of the Constitution
What was the Mayflower Compact?
-The Mayflower Compact was created by the people (in 1620).
-Roots of the Constitution
Who was John Locke?
-John Locke claimed that if a government did not fulfill its purpose of protecting individual’s freedoms, the citizens had the right [and responsibility] to overthrow (get rid) it.
-Philosophers of the Constitution
Who was Montesquieu?
-Montesquieu believed that government power should be separated to keep one group from gaining too much power (3 branches of government).
-Philosophers of the Constitution
Who was William Blackstone?
-William Blackstone believed that even the king should not take away a person’s property and believed strongly in individual rights.
-Philosophers of the Constitution
What process did the Constitution have to go through once it was written?
-Once the Constitution was written 9 out of 13 states had to ratify [approve] the Constitution in order for it to go into effect.
-This was known as the part of the Constitution Debate.
What was the Constitutional Debate?
People all across the country debated about if the Constitution was a good thing or a bad thing.
What was the opinion of the Federalists on the ratification of the Constitution?
The Federalists supported the ratification of the Constitution.
What did the Federalists believe about the Constitution?
They believed the Constitution created a more powerful government, but not too powerful.
What were The Federalist Papers and who created them?
James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay wrote the Federalist Papers to explain how the Constitution worked.
Who wrote the Anti-Federalist Papers?
Patrick Henry and George Mason (anti-federalists) wrote the Anti-Federalist Papers.
What did the Anti-Federalists believe the Constitution would do?
They believed that the Constitution created a government that was too powerful and would take away some freedoms. They found it would take away individual as well as state rights.
What did the Anti-Federalists demand before they could ratify the Constitution?
The Anti-Federalists demanded a bill of rights be added to the Constitution before they would ratify it.
When and how was the Constitution officially ratified?
Written in 1787, after much discussion and debate, all the states ratified the Constitution once the Bill of Rights was promised to be added.
When was the Bill of Rights officially ratified?
In 1791, the Bill of Rights was officially ratified.
What is the Organization of the Constitution?
-Preamble-Intro
-Article I-Legislative Branch (Senate and House of Representatives)
-Article II-Executive Branch (President)
-Article III-Judicial Branch (Supreme Court)
-Article IV-States Respect Each Other
-Article V-Amending (Making changes or add) Constitution
-Article VI-Constitution if Supreme (law of the land)
What is the Preamble, what does it state?
-The introduction to the Constitution.
-Announces the purpose of the Constitution:
1. To form a more united country
2. To give justice to all
3. To keep peace
4. To keep our country safe
5. To help people
6. To protect our liberty
What is Popular Sovereignty?
-Principle (belief) of the Constitution
-Popular Sovereignty: the people have the ultimate authority (people control government).
What is Republicanism?
-Principle (belief) of the Constitution
-Republicanism: the people vote for representatives to rule on their behalf.
What is Limited Government?
-Principle (belief) of the Constitution
-Limited Government: the government cannot do what is not in the Constitution (government is limited).
What is Federalism?
-Principle (belief) of the Constitution
-Federalism: power is shared between the national and state government.
What is Separation of Power?
-Principle of the Constitution
-Separation of Power: power is separated between the three branches (Montesquieu).
What is Checks and Balances?
-Principle of the Constitution
-Checks and Balances: each branch has power over the other two branches.
What are Individual Rights?
-Principle of the Constitution
-Individual Rights: basic liberties of the citizens are protected.
How is Congress and the states a part of the process to amend the constitution?
-2/3 of both houses of Congress have to vote for the change.
&
-3/4 of the state legislatures have to vote for the change.
Why do we allow for changes to the Constitution?
Because society changes.
What does the legislative branch have the power to do?
Has the power to make laws, declare war, and tax citizens.
How is the legislative branch separated, and what’s another name for this branch?
Has two parts (bicameral legislature): the Senate and House of Representatives; it is also called Congress.
Where are the powers of the legislative branch listed?
Powers are listed in Article 1 of the Constitution.
What is the building best known for hosting the legislative branch headquarters?
The Capitol Building
What does the Executive Branch have the power to do?
Enforce the laws that the legislative branch makes.
What is the Executive Branch made up of?
I made up of the president (commander-in-chief of the military), vice president, and a cabinet of advisors.
Where are the powers of the Executive Branch listed?
Powers are listed in Article II of the Constitution.
What is the building best known for hosting the executive branch headquarters?
The White House
What is the job of the Judicial Branch?
Main job is to interpret (translate), and rule on the laws Congress makes.
What is the Judicial Branch made up of?
Is comprised of the Supreme Court and other federal courts.
What is are the conditions of the being a Supreme Court Justice in the Judicial Branch?
A judge can serve for life as long as they behave appropriately.
Why is there an odd number of judges in the Supreme Court?
There is an odd number of judges because there will be no equal decision.
What are the two ways to become a U.S. citizen, and explain what they are?
-Birthright Citizen: born in U.S. or parents are U.S. citizens.
-Naturalized Citizen:
Live in U.S. for 5 years
Be 18 years old
Understand U.S. history and government
Swear allegiance (loyal) to the Constitution
What are the responsibilities of citizens?
-Vote during elections
-Staying informed
-Serve on juries
-Serve in military if asked
-Pay taxes
-Obey all laws
-Pay taxes
What is the 1st Amendment of the Bill of Rights?
-Freedom of Religion
-Freedom of Assembly
-Freedom of Press
-Right to Petition the government
-Freedom of Speech
-Way to remember it is “RAPPS”
What is the 2nd Amendment of the Bill of Rights?
Right to bear arms (guns).
What is the 3rd Amendment of the Bill of Rights?
Right to not quarter soldiers
What is the 4th Amendment of the Bill of Rights?
No unreasonable search and seizure (take away).
What is the 5th Amendment of the Bill of Rights?
Right to due process (right to remain silent).
What is the 6th Amendment of the Bill of Rights?
Fair, speedy, and public trial.
What is the 7th Amendment of the Bill of Rights?
Right to trial by jury (civil cases)
What is the 8th Amendment of the Bill of Rights?
No cruel or unusual punishment
What is the 9th Amendment of the Bill of Rights?
Citizens have more rights that aren’t listed in the Constitution (Anti-Federalists individual rights)
What is the 10th Amendment of the Bill of Rights?
Rights not given to the federal government go to the states (state rights)
When Americans became their own country, they created laws in the Constitution and the Bill of Rights that addressed the grievances they had against King George III, what were some of these grievances and how were they addressed?
-King imposed taxes without consent.—-> Taxes must be approved by Congress.
-King made judges dependent on his will.—-> All judges are appointed for lifetime.
-King refused colonists permission to petition.—-> 1st Amendment provides right to petition.
-King quartered troops in colonists’ homes.—-> 3rd Amendment provides right to not quarter soldiers.
-King deprived colonists right to trial by jury.—-> 6th Amendment provides right to trial by jury to everyone.
What were solutions to the Declaration of Independence?
Solutions to the Declaration of Independence were resolved through the Constitution and Bill of Rights.
