Constitution & Government
What are some weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?
- Continental Army - Taxes - Government Structure - Lawmaking process - trade - representation
Which amendment abolished slavery?
13th
What amendment gave women the right to vote?
19th
How long do members of the House of Representatives serve?
2 years
How many members in the House of representatives?
435
How many Senate members?
50
How long do Senate members serve?
6 years
How many Supreme Court Justices are there?
9
Republicanism
A form of government where citizens are represented by elected officials
The Supreme Court can declare Congress's laws unconstitutional. Congress can impeach Supreme Court justices. This is an example of which term?
Checks and balances
Who can declare war?
Congress
Who has the power to print and coin money?
Congress
What did the Federalists believe?
Constitution was a good solution to the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation, a strong central government
What was the Great Compromise?
Created a bicameral legislature (combined VA and NJ plans to create Congress) one house based on representation, one house has equal representation
What was the 3/5 compromise?
Determined 3/5 slaves would count towards population for representation in Congress - favored the South.
Checks & Balances
Each branch of government can "check" or limit, the power of the other branches.
Federalism
Power is shared by the national and state governments
Popular Sovereignty
The government's power comes from the consent of the people. If the government goes against the will of the people, then they have the right to change the government.
The national government has the power to make treaties. The state governments have the power to establish schools. This is an example of which term?
Federalism
What is the Bill of Rights?
First 10 amendments to the Constitution
What are the three branches of government?
Legislative, Executive, Judicial
Which term describes a form of government where the people elect representatives?
Republicanism
In the US, the government is split into three independent branches: Legislative, judicial, and executive. This is an example of which term?
Separation of Powers
Limited Government
The government's power is restricted by laws in order to protect individual rights and liberties. These laws are often written in a Constitution
What are the two strengths of the Articles of Confederation?
The Northwest Territory and the Revolutionary War
Define impeach
The act of charging/removing a high official from office
Separation of Powers
The government is divided into branches. Each branch has separate and independent powers
define bicameral
Two house legislature
What was Shay's Rebellion?
a series of protests in 1786 and 1787 by American farmers against state and local enforcement of tax collections and judgments for debt.
What powers does the federal government have?
coin money, regulate mail, declare war, raise armies, conduct foreign affairs, regulate trade between states, regulate foreign trade
What did the AntiFederalists believe?
feared government so they didn't want the constitution especially since it did not have a bill of rights initially
How long do Supreme Court justices serve?
for life
Legislative branch...
is the Congress, makes laws
Judicial branch...
is the supreme court, interprets laws
The Constitution is a rulebook which tells the government what it can and cannot do. For example, the government cannot limit freedom of speech or set up a dictator. This is an example of what term?
limited government
What powers do the state government have?
maintain militias, conduct elections, establish local governments, provide for public safety/health/welfare/education, ratify constitutional amendments, regulate trade within the state
What was the Constitutional Convention?
meeting of delegates in 1787 to revise the Articles of Confederation, which produced the new U.S. Constitution
Which term means that the government's power comes from the will of the people?
popular sovereignty
Executive branch...
president, enforces laws
Define judicial review
review by the US Supreme Court of the constitutional validity of a legislative act.
What other rights are protected with the Bill of Rights?
right to bear arms, fair trial by jury, right to speedy trial and a lawyer, etc.
What are the five freedoms guaranteed in the first amendment?
speech, religion, press, assembly, petition
Describe the Virginia Plan
state representatives and votes based on population-also known as big states plan
What powers do the states and federal government share?
tax citizens, create and enforce laws, charter banks, establish courts, borrow money, take property for public use
Why did the Anti-Federalists believe a Bill of Rights was necessary?
they wanted people to have their basic rights protected