vocab
delegate (n.)
someone chosen to represent a larger group of people
What were the Articles of Confederation?
The first government established in the 13 colonies after they achieved independence from England.
What caused America’s economy to experience a depression after its independence?
A collapse in the value of its currency due to lack of income from tax or foreign trade
What type of government did the US constitution create?
A republic with three equally powerful branches of government
What’s a republic?
A government in which a president is elected separately, and holds equal power with the legislative branch (congress)
ratification
approval
What was wrong with the article?
The national government lacked the power to tax, raise an army, or control foreign trade or even trade between states
How did the economic depression affect people?
Many people couldn’t pay their debts, and lost their farms or businesses
Why is power divided between different branches of government? Who has more power between state and national governments?
So that no single person or department has unl power. The national government has more power than states.
What’s a constitutional monarchy?
A government in which the monarch stands above the parliament, and (usually) appoints some of the members of parliament, and where power is defined by a constitution
legislation
laws
What were some consequences of the articles’ problems?
England and Spain blocked American trade meaning they could not receive payment in real money, or silver or gold. Lack of tax money or foreign exchange from trade meant that the American currency had no value causing inflation and an economic crisis.
How did some people led by Mr. Shay’s react to losing their farms?
They rebelled against the government.
What compromises were reached between states to achieve agreement on a constitution?
The Great Compromise created a senate with 2 representatives per state and an house of representatives with the number based on the population of each state, and 3/5 Compromise meant that 5 slaves would be counted as 3 citizens for the purpose of representation in the House of Representatives
What is a constitution?
A document which defines the powers of government, and the rights of citizens
veto
cancel
What is inflation?
A sharp rise in prices caused by weak currency, or sudden change in supply or demand.
Was Shays’s rebellion a success?
Nah
What is it called when a document is changed? What is the process for changing the constitution?
Amendment
2/3 of congress (house and senate) have to approve, the 3/4 of states have to ratify the amendment
What’s a parliamentary democracy?
A government in which all authority lies with an elected parliament
federalism
a system of government in which powers are shared between state and national governments
What’s an economic depression?
When a country’s total economy loses value
What was the importance of Shays’s rebellion?
It convinced people that a new form of government was desperately needed.
What are two examples of checks and balances?
…
Why did the authors of the US constitution make it difficult to amend?
Too many changes would lead to an unstable government and reduce trust in the government