US Constitution Flashcards
History: Origins of the constitution
Before Present-US: Consisted of 13 original states/colonies which operated largely independently.
All 13 had to pay tax to Britain.
War of Independence in July 4th 1775
Declaration of Independence
“All men are created equal”
Articles of Confederation 1781
“Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness”- Jefferson
Set up a loose confederacy of 13 states (out of fear of a alrge authoritative figure taking over like the British)
Wanted no national government and for states to maintain their independence.
6 years later: scrapped in favour of a closer union of states.
The Philadelphia Convention 1787
55 delegates from 12/13 states (No Rhode Island) met for 4 months and wrote the constitution.
Rhode Island refused as they believed they would be underrepresented in a conjoined government.
Aim: strengthen the national gov. while protecting states’ rights.
Founding Fathers wrote a federal constitution.
Bill of Rights introduced alongside checks and balances.
The Connecticut Compromise
New Jersey Plan (HOS- each state gets two senators)
Favoured by small states.
Wanted to strengthen the A of C instead of writing a new constitution.
State based model.
Virginia Plan (HOR- elected by how many people there are)
Favoured by larger states.
Much more radical and centralised needing a new constitution.
Size and population based model.
2 chambers: House of Representatives and House of Senate.
The US Constitution 1787
Written by the founding Fathers.
Constitution remains unchanged apart from 27 amendments.
First 10 amendments= Bill of Rights (added in 1791)
