Vocabulary
The state of being equal, especially in status, rights, and opportunities...
equality
principle that the law applies to everyone, even those who govern
Rule of Law
Why did the representatives of the United States meet in Philadelphia, PA in the summer of 1787 for a Constitutional Convention? (WHAT WAS THERE A NEED FOR?)
stronger National government
someone who believes in the authority of a strong central/national government
federalist
America's first constitution was called...
the Articles of Confederation
Basic liberties and rights of all citizens are guaranteed in the Bill of Rights.
Individual Rights
A system in which powers of government are divided/shared between the national government (in Washington, DC) and all of the state governments, therefore a FAIR division of powers
Federalism
What was the negotiation made in the Three-Fifths Compromise?
how slaves would count for the purpose of representation and taxes (3 out of every 5 slaves would count toward representation BUT property taxes had to be paid on the enslaved)
someone who believes in the authority of a strong central/national government
anti-federalist
What was most important to supporters of the Articles of Confederation?
states' rights
proposal for the new constitution, calling for proportional representation in both houses of a bicameral Congress.
Virginia Plan
powers of the federal government are restricted to what is in the Constitution or approved by the people
Limited Government
The Legislative Branch is a bicameral Congress with ______________________ representation in the ____________________________ and _________________ representation in the __________________
proportional; House of Representatives; equal; Senate
What was the primary issue debated between the Federalists and Anti-Federalists?
the scope of the power of the central government
(AKA the National or AKA the Federal government)
What would critics say about the Articles of Confederation?
the National government had little power to get the states to cooperate with each other
A constitutional proposal that would have given each state one vote in a new congress
New Jersey Plan
Refers to a system in U.S. government that ensures no one branch of government becomes too powerful-A system that allows for one branch to restrain the actions of another branch
Checks and Balances
How did the Great Compromise settle the debate between the NJ Plan and the VA Plan? (describe using 3 details)
bicameral Congress with a House of Representatives and a Senate
(Proportional representation in the House of Reps. and equal representation in the Senate)
Why did the Anti-Federalists SUPPORT the 9th and 10th Amendments?
those amendments limit the power of the federal gov. over people (the states)
list the 3 branches of gov. and 1 power that each one has
Legislative, Executive, Judicial
(there will be many powers that will be acceptable)
the formal document for the plan/RULES of our government for the United States which included 3 branches of government and the Bill of Rights
U.S. Constitution
each branch of government has its own jobs, but they are still all equal in power (Executive Branch, Legislative Branch and Judicial Branch)
Separation of Powers
Why was the U.S. Constitution not ratified until the Bill of Rights was added? (i.e. What was the purpose of it?)
to guarantee state and civil liberties
(guarantees of freedoms, protections, and rights)
Why was the Bill of Rights added to the U.S. Constitution?
to weaken the power of the National government
What is the purpose of the Constitutional principle Judicial Review
to declare a law fair (constitutional) or unfair (unconstitutional)