Political Science Chapter 1-4 Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What was the first written constitution called?

Articles of Confederation

Under the United States' first constitution, there was a president.

False

Under the Articles of Confederation, the relationship between the states and the federal government can be best compared to what?

the United Nations

What was the primary concern of the Articles of Confederation as a constitution?

Limiting the powers of central government Signup and view all the answers

Under the Articles of Confederation, it was left to the __________ to execute the laws passed by Congress.

States Signup and view all the answers

When were the Articles of Confederation adopted?

In 1777 Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of the Annapolis Convention?

to discuss the weakness of the Articles Signup and view all the answers

What was Shays's Rebellion an attempt to do?

prevent the state of Massachusetts from foreclosing on the lands of debt-ridden farmers Signup and view all the answers

Where was the 1787 convention to draft a new constitution held?

Philadelphia Signup and view all the answers

Which was the only state not to send delegates to the Constitutional Convention?

Rhode Island Signup and view all the answers

Why was Shays's Rebellion significant?

It convinced many observers that the government of the Confederation had become dangerously inefficient and indecisive. Signup and view all the answers

What did the Virginia Plan propose for the national legislature?

population of each state or proportion of states' revenue, or both Signup and view all the answers

What did the New Jersey Plan propose for Congress?

equal representation for each state, regardless of population Signup and view all the answers

What did the Great Compromise lead to?

creation of a bicameral Congress Signup and view all the answers

What does bicameralism mean?

division of Congress into two chambers Signup and view all the answers

Who did James Madison believe was at conflict during the Constitutional Convention?

Northern and Southern states Signup and view all the answers

What is the Three-fifths Compromise?

It determined that three out of every five slaves would be counted for purposes of representation and taxation Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following was a ramification of the Three-fifths Compromise?

It meant the Constitution officially supported slavery Signup and view all the answers

What is the system of shared powers between a central government and the states called?

Federalism Signup and view all the answers

Why is only one-third of the Senate up for re-election during any single election year?

this was the only way to protect the Senate against radical changes Signup and view all the answers

What is judicial review?

the courts' power to decide on the constitutionality of actions taken by the other branches of government Signup and view all the answers

What is the term length of a federal judge?

life barring impeachment Signup and view all the answers

To amend the Constitution requires a vote by Congress, and approval by of the states.

2/3 vote in both chambers, followed by ratification by 3/4 of the states Signup and view all the answers

What does the supremacy clause state?

the Constitution and all laws made under it are superior to any state laws Signup and view all the answers

During the ratification debates, who were the Anti-federalists?

Those who opposed the new Constitution because they wanted a weaker central government Signup and view all the answers

In the national debate over ratification of the new Constitution, what did the Federalists support?

supported the Constitution and preferred a strong national government Signup and view all the answers

What did the Federalists believe was the most apparent source of tyranny?

the popular majority Signup and view all the answers

How did the Anti-federalists argue that the powers of government should be limited?

confined the power of federal government by adding the Bill of Rights to the Constitution Signup and view all the answers

How did the Federalists believe that the powers of government could be limited?

creating an internal system of checks and controls within government Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

The Articles of Confederation

The first written constitution of the United States was the Articles of Confederation, adopted in 1777.
There was no executive branch; specifically, no president existed under this first constitution.
The Articles created a loose alliance between states, similar to the structure of the United Nations.

Governance and Limitations

The Articles primarily aimed to limit the powers of the central government.
States were responsible for executing laws passed by Congress, leading to inconsistencies in law enforcement.
The government under the Articles was deemed inefficient, as evidenced by Shays's Rebellion, which highlighted weaknesses in governance.

Conventions and Reforms

The Annapolis Convention was convened to address the weaknesses of the Articles.
The 1787 Constitutional Convention, held in Philadelphia, aimed to draft a new constitution; Rhode Island was the only state not represented.

Plans and Compromises

The Virginia Plan proposed representation in the national legislature based on state population or revenue.
The New Jersey Plan advocated for equal representation among states, irrespective of size.
The Great Compromise resulted in a bicameral Congress, balancing representation concerns.

Slavery and Representation

The Three-fifths Compromise counted three out of every five slaves for representation and taxation purposes, enshrining slavery in the constitutional framework.
This compromise facilitated political agreements between northern and southern states while mitigating conflicts between agricultural and merchant interests.

Federalism and the Senate

Federalism describes the shared powers between state and central government.
One-third of the Senate faces re-election each year, designed to maintain stability against sudden political changes.

Judicial Powers

Judicial review empowers courts to evaluate the constitutionality of actions by other government branches.
Federal judges serve life terms, subject to impeachment, ensuring judicial independence.

Constitutional Amendments

Amending the Constitution requires a two-thirds vote in both congressional chambers and ratification by three-fourths of the states.
The Supremacy Clause establishes that the Constitution and federal laws prevail over state laws.

Ratification Debates

Anti-federalists opposed the new Constitution, favoring a weaker central government, while Federalists supported a strong national framework.
Federalists viewed the majority's power as the primary source of tyranny, advocating for systemic checks and balances within government.
Anti-federalists sought to limit governmental powers through the addition of a Bill of Rights to safeguard individual liberties.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

Test your knowledge of the key concepts from Political Science chapters 1 to 4 with these flashcards. This quiz covers important topics such as the Articles of Confederation and the relationship between states and the federal government. Perfect for reinforcing your understanding before exams!