Unit 7 Test
Structure of Govt from Great Compromise
2 Senates for each state & House of Reps. based on population
Federalists leaders
Alexander Hamilton James Madison John Jay
How is an amendment ratified?
Amendments to the Constitution must be ratified or approved They can be ratified in one of two ways: -By 3/4 of the State legislatures -By conventions in 3/4 of the States
How is an amendment proposed?
An amendment can be proposed two ways: -By Congress by a 2/3 in both houses -At a national convention called by Congress when requested by 2/3 of State legislatures
Supremacy Clause is in
Article VI Section II
Supremacy Clause
Article VI of the Constitution, which makes the Constitution, national laws, and treaties supreme over state laws when the national government is acting within its constitutional limits.
Checks & Balances
Avoids powerful central govt. 3 equal branches -Legislative -Executive -Judicial
13th Amendment (1865)
Banned slavery in the US forever
18th Amendment (1917)
Banned the production & sale of alcohol-Prohibition
Virginia Plan simplified
Based on representation in Congress on each state's population Favored by large states bc it gave them more power
Federalists Region
Citizens in urban Northeast Merchants Property owners
National Powers
Coin money Regulate interstate & foreign trade Raise & maintain armed forces Declare war Govern US territories & admit new states Conduct foreign relations Control immigration Acquire territory Make laws that are "necessary & proper" Determine standards of weight & measure Grant patents & copy rights Lay duties on imports Grant diplomatic recognition Make treaties
Roger Sherman
Connecticut Thinks small states should not be overlooked Proposed Great Compromise
Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation
Each state has 1 vote in Congress, regardless of size Congress has no power to tax No Executive Branch No national court system Amendments required unanimous vote States printed their own currency
21st Amendment (1933)
Ended Prohibition
executive
Enforces laws
Federalist Foreign Support
England for model & alliance
Federalists Beliefs
Favor ratification Strong central govt. (for strong US) Limited state power
Anti-federalists foreign support
Favored allying w/ France
19th Amendment (1920)
Gave women right to vote
Solutions to Confederation Problems
Great Compromise Congress has power to tax Executive branch led by President Supreme court & federal courts 2/3 congress & 3/4 states National currency
15th Amendment (1870)
Guaranteed former slaves & all male citizens right to vote
judicial
Interprets the laws
George Washington
Led convention as president Was quiet during convention
Concurrent powers
Levy & collect taxes Borrow money Establish courts Define crimes & set punishments Claim private property for public use Establish a police force Set environmental & health standards Protect national borders
legislative
Makes laws
Shay's Rebellion
Many former revolutionary soldiers are now farmers with high debts Daniel Shays leads a group to rebel over owed back pay in Mass. Federal govt. unable to help Local militia raised to put down rebellion Shows that Articles are too weak & new govt. needed
Outcome of the Constitutional Convention
Many state legislatures called for Bill of Rights to be included into Constitution James Madison wrote set of 10 Amendments that would be included immediately after Constitution was ratified These 10 became the Bill of Rights
The Philadelphia Convention
Meets in 1787 State reps. decide to create a new govt. rather than fix Articles
George Mason
Must not forget Bill of Rights
Federal law
National laws are supreme law of land States have power to make laws, but can't contradict federal laws Limits powers of govt to those in Constitution
Alexander Hamilton
New York Wanted a strong central govt.
Ben Franklin
Pennsylvania States must hold more power
3/5th Copromise
Placated the Southern states Counts enslaved as 3/5 of person for state pop.
The informal amendment process
Process through which changes have been made to the Constitution over time without changing the written words of the document Ex: -Congressional legislation(laws) -Presidential (executive) action -Supreme court decisions -Political party practices -Custom
Virginia Plan
Proposed by James Madison Called for legislative branch w/ 2 houses Number of reps is based on each state's population 1 house elected by people & members of house elects members of 2nd house 3 branches of govt: legislative, executive, judicial
New Jersey Plan
Proposed by William Patterson Called for legislature w/ 1 house Each state, regardless of population or size, would send the same # of reps to Congress Small states would have the same amount of votes as larger states
State powers
Regulate trade & business within the State Establish public schools Pass license requirements for professionals Regulate alcoholic beverages Conduct elections Establish local governments License marriage License drivers Set speed limits Exercise those powers not given to the Federal Government & not restricted by the Constitution
New Jersey Plan simplified
Representation in Congress is equal for all states Favored by small states bc it gave them more power
Anti-Federalists regions
Small farmers in the rural South & West
The Great Compromise
Solves debated btwn large & small states Senate-2 per state House of reps-Based on population Bicameral legislature
What is an Amendment?
The Framers knew they could not predict the future or write a perfect document Therefore the Constitution provides a process for amendments to it An amendment is a change or addition to the Constitution's written words
The amendments
There have been 27 amendments to the constitution the 1st 10 are known as the Bill of Rights and were ratified in 1791 The last was in 1992
Anti-federalists leaders
Thomas Jefferson George Mason Samuel Adams
James Madison
Virginia "Father of the Constitution" bc he wrote most of it
Anti-federalists beliefs
Wanted protection of rights Against strong central govt. Favored state power Feared monarchy Wanted local control of govt
