Podcast
Questions and Answers
In a federal system, how is power distributed?
In a federal system, how is power distributed?
- Held entirely by independent state governments.
- Divided between a national government and state governments. (correct)
- Concentrated solely within the national government.
- Shared among regional governments without a central authority.
Which of the following was a significant weakness inherent in the Articles of Confederation?
Which of the following was a significant weakness inherent in the Articles of Confederation?
- A strong national currency that stifled economic growth.
- The central government's broad authority to impose and collect taxes.
- The central government's limited ability to enforce laws and collect taxes. (correct)
- An excessively powerful executive branch.
What was the primary goal of the Northwest Ordinance of 1787?
What was the primary goal of the Northwest Ordinance of 1787?
- To expand slavery into the Northwest Territory.
- To prevent westward expansion by American settlers.
- To establish a process for admitting new states into the Union. (correct)
- To strengthen the power of existing states over the federal government.
How did Shays' Rebellion expose critical flaws within the Articles of Confederation?
How did Shays' Rebellion expose critical flaws within the Articles of Confederation?
What was the original, primary purpose for convening the Constitutional Convention of 1787?
What was the original, primary purpose for convening the Constitutional Convention of 1787?
Which of the following best describes the key difference between the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan?
Which of the following best describes the key difference between the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan?
What is the fundamental distinction between a unicameral and a bicameral legislature?
What is the fundamental distinction between a unicameral and a bicameral legislature?
What was the main outcome of the Great Compromise during the Constitutional Convention?
What was the main outcome of the Great Compromise during the Constitutional Convention?
What core constitutional principle is embodied by the Preamble of the Constitution?
What core constitutional principle is embodied by the Preamble of the Constitution?
What critical concession did the Federalists make to the Anti-Federalists to secure ratification of the Constitution?
What critical concession did the Federalists make to the Anti-Federalists to secure ratification of the Constitution?
Flashcards
What is a constitution?
What is a constitution?
A fundamental set of principles and precedents that govern a state or organization.
Federal vs. Confederacy
Federal vs. Confederacy
A federal system divides power between national and state governments, while a confederacy is a loose alliance of independent states.
State Powers under the Articles of Confederation
State Powers under the Articles of Confederation
States retained most powers, including taxation, trade, and law enforcement.
National Powers Under the Articles of Confederation
National Powers Under the Articles of Confederation
Signup and view all the flashcards
Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation
Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation
Signup and view all the flashcards
Northwest Ordinance of 1787
Northwest Ordinance of 1787
Signup and view all the flashcards
What was Shays' Rebellion?
What was Shays' Rebellion?
Signup and view all the flashcards
Constitutional Convention Purpose
Constitutional Convention Purpose
Signup and view all the flashcards
Virginia vs. New Jersey Plan
Virginia vs. New Jersey Plan
Signup and view all the flashcards
Unicameral vs. Bicameral Legislature
Unicameral vs. Bicameral Legislature
Signup and view all the flashcards
Study Notes
- A constitution is a fundamental set of principles and established precedents that dictate how a state or organization is governed
Federalism vs. Confederacy
- A federal system divides power between national and state governments
- A confederacy is a loose alliance of independent states
Articles of Confederation: State Powers
- States retained powers such as taxation, trade, and law enforcement under the Articles of Confederation
Articles of Confederation: National Powers
- The national government under the Articles could declare war, make treaties, and manage foreign affairs
Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation
- Resulted in a weak central government, no power to tax, no executive or judicial branch, difficulty amending, and no national currency
Northwest Ordinance of 1787
- Established a system for admitting new states from the Northwest Territory
- Prohibited slavery in the territory
- Guaranteed basic rights
Shays' Rebellion
- Indebted farmers rebelled in Massachusetts, highlighting the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation
Constitutional Convention
- The Constitutional Convention met in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to revise the Articles of Confederation
Virginia Plan vs. New Jersey Plan
- The Virginia Plan proposed a bicameral legislature with representation based on population
- The New Jersey Plan proposed a unicameral legislature with equal representation for each state
Unicameral vs. Bicameral Legislature
- Unicameral: one legislative chamber
- Bicameral: two legislative chambers
The Great Compromise
- Created a bicameral legislature: the House of Representatives (population-based) and the Senate (equal representation)
Three-Fifths Compromise
- Slaves counted as three-fifths of a person for representation and taxation purposes
Electoral College Compromise
- Established a system where electors from each state vote for the president, balancing large and small state influence
Purpose of the Preamble
- States the goals of the Constitution
- Embodies popular sovereignty
Layout/Design of the Constitution
- Includes a Preamble, Articles (7), and Amendments (27)
- Each section serves a specific purpose in outlining the structure and function of the government
Articles of the Constitution
- Article I: Legislative Branch duties
- Article II: Executive Branch duties
- Article III: Judicial Branch duties
- Article IV: State relations
- Article V: Amendment Process
- Article VI: Supremacy Clause
- Article VII: Ratification
Principles/Themes of U.S. Government
- Popular Sovereignty
- Limited Government
- Separation of Powers
- Checks and Balances
- Federalism
- Republicanism
- Individual Rights
Powers of Government Related to Federalism
- Expressed/Enumerated Powers
- Reserved Powers
- Concurrent Powers
Branches of Government
- Legislative: makes laws
- Executive: enforces laws
- Judicial: interprets laws
Checks and Balances Examples
- Examples are presidential veto, congressional override, and judicial review
Supremacy Clause
- Establishes the Constitution and federal laws as the supreme law of the land
Enlightenment Thinkers
- John Locke (natural rights) and Montesquieu (separation of powers) influenced the Constitution
"Father of the Constitution"
- James Madison
Federalists
- Supporters of the Constitution who believed in a strong central government
Anti-Federalists
- Opponents of the Constitution who feared a strong central government and wanted stronger state powers
The Federalist Papers
- A series of essays by James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay, advocating for the ratification of the Constitution
Federalist and Anti-Federalist Compromise
- The Bill of Rights was added to protect individual liberties and ensure ratification of the Constitution
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
