Political Science Test One Chapter 2

What is the veto power found in the constitution?

Its a form of checking but its a negative power. Its the formal power of the president to reject bills passed by both houses of congress. A veto can be overridden by a 2/3 majority vote in each house.

What is the national supremacy clause?

National laws can override state laws if they conflict -The supreme court helps by expanding the scope of national policy making

What are states rights and what role did they play in the federal convention of 1787?

State participation was continued in the selection of national office holders was an importat issue as how legislative seats were to be appointed.

What was Franklings Plan of the Union?

The idea of creating a national government. It was the only existing proposal for unification and was briefly but inconclusively debated.

What is home rule? What was the nature of colonial home rule?

the power given by a state locality to enact legisation and manage its own affairs locally. Home rule also applies to britains administration of the american colonies From book: *Home rule was that it was Americans responsibility for managing their own domestic affairs including taxation. Britain supplied its manufactured goods to them. Both enjoyed this because Britain wanted to control America's foreign commerce. For more then a century before independence the colonists had routinely elected their own leaders and held them accountable for local policies and taxes. *Home rule may have had its benefits for American colonies, but as training for self-governance it shortchanged the nation. Britain regulated all of its colonies commerce and provided them with military security by mean of its navy the worlds largest. They learned to manage local affairs but gave them little experience with managing collective action.

How did the shortcomings of government under the articles impact the revolutionary war?

*Congress was in charge of the national army but they could not manage to make decisions on even the basic necessities the army needed like uniforms -During the first six years under the articles congress asked the states for 12 million but received only 3 which wasnt enough to pay back their debts from the revolutionary war. -The national government was so desperate for money that they sold the navys ships and had less then 1000 soldiers in uniform. -Couldnt control public disorder-shays rebellion

What were the roadblocks to the constitutions ratification?

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What were the Continental Congresses and what did each do (1st and 2nd)

1)The first continental congress of 1774 consisted of 56 delegates from all of the colonies except georgia -Its purpose was the attempt to iron out their differences with King George It adopted the declaration of american rights (home rule, boycott britain) It also created a group of local government to collect tax, raise militia. It also passed laws to boycott britain 2)The Second Continental Congress of 1775 was convened to respond to the violence that erupted and the presence of 16,000 british troops in boston. -It stayed in session to act as the sitting governement when violence persisted. From Book: When Britain imposed policies in Massachusetts's colonists recognized their own vulnerability. They answered the call to the Boston resistance leader Samuel Adams to establish the first continental congress. Each colony sent its leading professionals, merchants and planters. These men had mainly known one another by reputation but at this meeting they formed a nucleus of national leadership for the next decade. In this group were the nations first presidents; George Washington, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson. 1) The first continental congress promptly passed resolutions condemning British taxes and administrative decrees. The most significant actions of the first continental congress were adoption of a Declaration of American Rights, which essentially reasserted home rule and endorsement of an agreement to ban all trade with Britain until is resided the despised taxes and regulation. 2) War had broken out by the Second Continental congress. They acted as a national government due to bloody uprising in spring of 1775 at Lexington and concord in Massachusetts that provoked the state conventions to mobilize local volunteer militias and disarming suspected british loyalists. The continental congress had no legal authority to conduct a war effort, but throughout the colonies patriots desperately required coordination and it was the only national institution available. They reconstructed state governments under republican principles. Most states adopted bicameral legislatures and all created a governorship. The second continental congress also issues the nations first bonds and established a national currency. It also authorities George Washington to expand the shrinking Massachusetts militia into a full-fledged national army. *Also created a bicameral (two chamber) legislature, it issued the first bonds and established a national currency and national army.

what is federalism? what did they argue?

A system of government in which power is divided between a central government and several regional governments. In the united states the division is between the national government and the states.

What events led to the dismantling of colonial home rule? What was the response to this by the British Government and the Colonies in general?

Breaking with Great Britain was emotionally wrenching for many Americans, but unfamiliarity with self-governance was not a factor in their hesitancy to seek independence. *Britain defeated France in the French and Indian war 1763 for its extensive colonization in America. This however hurt them because this war triggered events that would compromise Britain's claims over the next decade --Britain had no money --They shared the colonies/ empires upkeep. --Britain imposed taxes on colonies --They began to VIOLATE home rule --Most aggressive challenge was 1765 with the passage of the stamp act ***Britain used its money to construct an army for the US but the US contributed nothing to it. Britain started taxing and destroying home rule so that america could pay off some of its debt.

What was the necessary and proper clause of the constitution and why is it important?

Congress will have the authority to make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing powers and all other powers rested by this consistution in the government of the united states.

What efforts went into the designing the judicial branch? ****** look into more

Courts authority to overturn federal laws and execution

What is judicial review?

Courts authority to overturn federal laws and executive actions as unconstitutional

Why were women left out of the constitution

Delegates agreed= states decided which citizens have the right to vote -The constitution reads free of gender bias (persons/ citizens) -Womens political rights simply had not yet become an issue -They tried to make the constitution gender neutral so they were not purposely left out. They were more focused on the creation of national government.

What did the federalists argue? what did the anti federalists argue?

Federalists: argued for nationalism (pro national government) Anti-federalists- argued for states rights

Why are federalists 10 and 51 so critical to our understanding of the constitution

Focus on self governance. We have to keep politics honest by putting them againsts one another in veto. An attempt to not allow them to become corrupt but its unavoidable.

Who is montesquie? Why were his ideas important?

He was a french philosopher. Framers based our government off of his ideas. Limited government- not only nature of authority but size of the political community. Focused on the superiority of small republics

What is the Declaration of Independance and why was it important? Who wrote it and what does it say

In summary: Declared our Independence from Britain and outlined our ability to self-govern. It was written by Thomas Jefferson. The declaration of independance was when 12 out of 13 colonies voted for independance (ny abstained and later approved. From Book: Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence due to "his peculiar felicity of expression." Each member of the continental congress signed the document on July 4th 1776. The declaration was rebelling against a colonial power with a huge occupation army was a dangerous enterprise. The conclusion of the Declaration- "We mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor." The declaration was a passage for the fundamental right of self-government. "All men are created equal, they are endowed by their creator with certain alienable rights, that among these are life liberty and pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it, and to institute new government."

What is a logroll?

Instead of finding seperate compromise on the same issue, the delegates engage in trade voting. Each side gives its least important part of the issue to keep its most important part.

What was Common Sense? Why was it important to the cause?

January 1776 the pamphleteer Thomas Paine published this, which moved the independence issue to center stage. Within three months 120,000 copies had been sold and Americans were talking about Paines plainly states, irresistible argument that only in the creation of an independent republic would the people find contentment. -He stated that gaining independence would be the only solution to contentment.

Checks and Balances

Madisons idea for a genuine separation of powers between the branches which each side exercising checks and blances over the others. If the state legislatures could corrupt the new congress through their hold on the senate, they also could corrupt the entire national government through congress's power to select the officers of the other branches of government. His solution was to insulate the executive and judicial branches and enlist them in containing any efforts by the states through the senate to subvert national policy. He wanted a independent executive and judiciary. other words: Constitutional mechanism giving each branch some oversight and control of the other branches. Ex: Presidents veto, senate approval of presidential appointments and judicial review of presidential and congressional action.

Why did the issue of slavery manifest itself in the constitution?

One gaurantee written into the constitution places a ban on regulating slavery until 1808 ( note a total ban on slave imports went into affect january 1st, 1808) -Southern states introduced requirement of northern states to return runaway slaves to their masters -Slaves for voting purposes were counted as 3/5ths of a citizen

Describe the events that led to the federal convention?

Shays rebellion and other uprisings were enough to send representatives from each state to the convention so that they could maintain self-preservation. The Annapolis convention, James Maddisons plans, most states joined not because of the collective dilemma but for self preservation.

How is the constitution amended? what is the nature of the process? what is the most popular manner in which the constitution has been amended?

Step one: Proposed Step two ratified - two third vote of both houses of congress then it needs to be ratified by 3/4 of state legislatures -Constitutional convention called by 2/3 of 50 states- then 3/4 of special consistutional conventions need to be called by 50 states.

What was our frist written constitution and what was the nature of the government it set up? what were its weaknesses?

The Articles of Confederation were the first constitution of the United States. -They were in force from 1781 to 1788 when the present constitution of the United States became effective. (The war ended 1783) -These were written by the committee of the 2nd Constitutional Congress. **The articles when ratified created a loose confederation of independent states that gave limited powers to a central government --There was a single house of congress --Each state had one vote --Congress had power to: ---Set up a postal department ---Estimate the cost of the government and request donations from the states ---Develop armed forces ---Control the development of western territories *If there was consent from 9 out of 13 states ones could coin and borrow appropriate money. They could declare war and enter into treaties and alliances with foreign nations NEGATIVES -Led to a weak national government During the first 6 years under the Articles, Congress asked the states for 12 million, but received only 3 million -not even enough to pay the interest on Revolutionary War debts. Georgia and North Carolina contributed no money at all to the national treasury between 1781 and 1786. By 1786 the national government was so desperate for funds they sold the navy's ships and had fewer than 1,000 soldiers in uniform. Could not control public disorder: Shay's Rebellion. Forbidden interference with states' commerce policy thus could not shape a national economy . States imposed trade barriers. Some printed their own money. The State Pound Several laid claim to western lands. PA and VA argued and fought with each other over land dispute. Vermont threatened to annex itself to Canada. No power to tax No authority to regulate commerce No executive to administer the government No judicial system to resolve disputes among the states No strong central government *National government was pretty much useless under the articles. Therefore, we failed to work as a nation.

What is the Bill of rights and why was it critical to the ratification of the constituion

The Bill of Rights was the first ten amendments to the US constitution. Both the US and GA constitution include a section entitled this. It protects natural rights and liberties from government encroachment. With these provisions the framers solved the most serious collection action dilemmas confronting the young nation, including trade. They also prevented states from interfering with commerce that crossed their borders establishing the essentials of a common market among the former colonies. As a a result the constitution vitally to the nations economic development during the next century. -The bill came along after the fight for ratification when madison made a bill to protect individuals rights.

After the war ended, what types of domestic issues emerged? Why were these important? What impact did they have?

The Economy was a major issue. The US was in major debt from the war. Congress held the debt but the states held the purse strings. (were in direct control of all the money) "Many of the farmers were veterans who had trudged home from the revolution with not a single months pay in their pockets but only government certificates they had long since sold away to speculators"

How did the issue of slavery manifest itself in the constitution

The constitution states that the number of seats in the house of representatives is based on population. The question was would slaves count as people? They decided they would count as 3/5ths of a citizen.

What is the electoral college? what was its goal?

The electoral college is a body of electors in each state chosen by voters, who formally elect the president and vice president of the united states. Each states number of electoral votes equals its representative in congress the district of Columbia has three votes. The absolute majority of the total electoral vote is required to elect a president and vice president The electoral college tries to mix state, congressional and popular participation in the election process

What was the Stamp Act? Why was it important?

The stamp act was the most aggressive challenge to home rule. This law imposed a tax on all printed materials including legal documents licenses and insurance papers and land titles as well as a variety of consumer goods including newspapers and playing cards. Stamps were affixed to the taxed documents. Americans greeted it as a personal affront. The Americans viewed it as forced taxation from of government they did not want to be apart of. They were inflamed by this idea not even just because of the money. They passed resolutions demanding the tax to be repealed and delegates were sent to the stamp act congress for a unified response. After this continued over the decade and half a dozen new tax laws were designed to weaken colonial assemblies Americans boycotted British products and formed protests organizations like the sons of liberty, daughters of liberty etc. Most famous was Boston Tea Party. Group of patriots dumped 342 chests of tea owned by east India Company into Boston harbor to protest the new tax on Americans favorite non-alcoholic beverage.

Why did states need to surrender some of their autonomy to a central agency thus losing some of their states rights in order to create this new government?

They did this so they could all work together and function as a whole so they would be stronger and more efficient and less likely to be attacked or broken up by oustide sources.

what was the great compromise/ connecticut compromise?

This was the agreement between large and small states at the constitutional convention (1787 that decided the selection and composition of congress. The compromise stipulated that the lower chamber (house of representatives) be chosen by direct popular vote and that the upper chamber (senate) be selected by the state legislatures. Representation in the house would be proportional to a states population; in the senate each state would have two chambers

Contrast the Virginia Plan with the New Jersey Plan? How were they different and how were they similar?

Virginia Plan: Bicameral national legislature. the lower chamber would be elected by the state who then turn elects the upperchamber. National government had enforcement authority. Legilature can make any law and veto any state legislation. Coucil of revision: veto legislation but can be overridden by majority vote. Legislature representation was based on state population so this plan was supported by all the big states. NJ plan- single house chamber with equal representation for each state. They could levy taxes and regulate commerce but had supremacy clause over state legislature. Supreme court could hear appeals but only in a limited number of cases. The virgina plan and new jersey plan both led to the great compromise. The virginia plan gave congress the power to tax

Why were we well situated to break with the monarchy?

We were well situated to break with the monarchy because France joined our side and helped us defeat the British at Yorktown Virginia on October 17th, 1781. Geographically, America was well situated to be the first nation to break with the monarchy and embrace republicanism. Distance limited Britain's capacity to govern the colonies- a problem that gained painful significance during the revolutionary war. In the early colonial era, Britain had ceded to Americans responsibility for managing their own domestic affairs including taxation. *Nothing of importance was going on at the time and we were scared that britain would again take over.

What were the federalists papers and why were they so critical to the ratification of the constitution?

Written by alexander hamilton, john jay and james madison. They were trying to influence the delegate of the new york convention where ratification was difficult. Provided theoretical ammunition to those supporting ratification.