The Constitution Chapter 5 Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

In what ways did the Articles of Confederation fail?

The Articles of Confederation failed because they left too much power with the states, had no power to levy or collect taxes, no power to regulate trade, no power to enforce laws, and lacked an executive branch and a national court system.

How and why was the Bill of Rights added to the Constitution?

The Bill of Rights was added because many Americans felt that a strong national government could take away people's rights. It was added through amendments to the Constitution.

What is a Confederation?

A Confederation is an alliance where different powers are granted to state governments or national governments depending on the situation.

What is a Township?

A Township is a division of a country with some corporate powers. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Legislative Branch?

The Legislative Branch is the branch of the government that makes the laws. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Executive Branch?

The Executive Branch is the branch of the government that administers and enforces the laws. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Judicial Branch?

The Judicial Branch is the branch of government that interprets the laws and the Constitution. Signup and view all the answers

What are Checks and Balances?

Checks and Balances are the provisions in the U.S. Constitution that prevent any branch of the U.S. government from dominating the other two branches. Signup and view all the answers

What does Ratification mean?

Ratification is the official approval of the Constitution, or of an amendment, by the states. Signup and view all the answers

Who are Federalists?

Federalists are supporters of the Constitution and of a strong national government. Signup and view all the answers

Who are Anti-Federalists?

Anti-Federalists are individuals who oppose ratification of the Constitution. Signup and view all the answers

Who was Daniel Shays?

Daniel Shays was an American Revolutionary soldier and insurrectionist who led Shays's Rebellion. Signup and view all the answers

Who was James Madison?

James Madison was a delegate from Virginia who proposed the Virginia Plan. Signup and view all the answers

Who was Roger Sherman?

Roger Sherman was a political leader from Connecticut who suggested the Great Compromise. Signup and view all the answers

Who was Alexander Hamilton?

Alexander Hamilton was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention and the first Secretary of the Treasury. Signup and view all the answers

Who was John Jay?

John Jay wrote the first five Federalist Papers and argued for a strong federal government. Signup and view all the answers

Who was Patrick Henry?

Patrick Henry was a leader of the American Revolution and a famous orator who opposed British rule. Signup and view all the answers

What were the Articles of Confederation?

The Articles of Confederation was a written document that established the functions of the national government after independence. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Articles of Confederation

Failed to provide the federal government with power to levy taxes, regulate trade, or enforce laws.
Lacked an executive branch and national court system; required consent from all states for amendments and 9 of 13 states for laws, complicating governance.
Federal government powers included conducting war, sending ambassadors, entering treaties, maintaining a navy, and establishing post offices.

Bill of Rights

Comprises 10 Constitutional Amendments protecting individual freedoms and state rights.
Added to address concerns about a strong national government infringing on personal rights; initiated as amendments proposed by Congress.

Government Branches

Legislative Branch: Responsible for making laws.
Executive Branch: Enforces laws; led by the president.
Judicial Branch: Interprets laws and the Constitution.

Checks and Balances

System designed to prevent any one branch of the U.S. government from overpowering the others.

Ratification

Process of official approval of the Constitution or its amendments by the states.

Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists

Federalists: Advocated for the Constitution and a strong national government.
Anti-Federalists: Opposed ratifying the Constitution, fearing central authority would undermine individual and state rights.

Key Figures

Daniel Shays: Revolutionary soldier who led Shays's Rebellion against debt and tax policies in Massachusetts (1786-1787).
James Madison: Virginia delegate who proposed the Virginia Plan for a bicameral legislature, with representation based on population.
Roger Sherman: Connecticut leader who proposed the Great Compromise, balancing representation in the Senate and House based on state population.
Alexander Hamilton: Federalist leader at the Constitutional Convention, first Secretary of the Treasury.
John Jay: Co-author of the Federalist Papers advocating for a strong federal government.
Patrick Henry: Prominent orator and leader against British rule during the American Revolution.

Confederation

A system where powers are divided between state and national governments, represented as an alliance.

Township

A division within a country that possesses some corporate powers.

Articles of Confederation

The governing document ratified in 1781 that established the first national government of the United States.

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Description

Explore the key failures of the Articles of Confederation in this quiz. Learn how the lack of federal power and the absence of a national court system contributed to its downfall. Test your understanding of these historical concepts through engaging flashcards.