Philosophers and Ideas
Rich White Farmers
Making the Constitution
Amendments
Federalism
100
Identify and explain the three most basic forms of Govt.
Democracy- Rule of the Many, Autocracy - Rule of One, Oligarchy - Rule of the Few
100
What did the Declaration of Independence do and who wrote it?
Made justification for the Independence of the Colonies from England. - Thomas Jefferson
100
Who were the federalists and the anti-federalists (what did each support/oppose)
Federalists supported the ratification of the constitution (and a stronger central government), Anti-Federalists were against ratification of a new constitution (and feared a return to tyrannical policies)
100
What are the branches of government?
Executive/President, Legislature/Congress, Judicial/Supreme Court
100
What is the federal system of government?
Power is shared by the Federal and State Governments
200
Identify and describe the three most basic economic systems?
Free-Market - Supply and Demand or private interests control the economy; Command - The government controls the economy; Mixed-Market - private interests and the government share control of the economy
200
What was the significance of Shay's Rebellion in terms of the Constitutional Convention?
The Govt.'s inability to respond efficiently convinced leaders to attempt to create a stronger constitution.
200
Identify/Describe one of the two Constitutional Compromises discussed in class.
The Three-Fifths Compromise - For purposes of representation slaves would be counted as 3/5 of a person. The Great Compromise - Two Houses of Congress (one proportional to population, another giving each state two representatives.
200
The Bill of Rights were passed primarily to allay the concerns of which political group?
The Anti-Federalists
200
What is an ex-post facto law and why is it illegal in the US?
After the fact law - cannot punish a person for something that was legal at the time.
300
What was the "Social Contract theory"? Who was the famous first proponent of this theory?
social agrrement of complimentary responsibilities between governments and citizens - John Locke
300
Identify/Describe at least 2 weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.
Could not enforce national laws, no power to tax, lacked strong president/executive, no national army, no national courts, each state could make its own money.
300
What were the Virginia and New Jersey Plans?
Virginia Plan - Proposed two Chambers/houses of congress with both houses represented in proportion to their populations, New Jersey Plan - proposed one-vote-per-state representation in a single house of congress.
300
Identify the relevant topics of three of the Amendments that make up the Bill of Rights
1 - Speech, Religion, Press Assembly, Petition ; 2 - guns; 3- quartering troops; 4 - unreasonable search and seizure; 5 - due process, self-incrimination, double jeopardy; 6 - speedy trial; 7 - jury trial; 8 - cruel and unusual punishment; 9 - protection of rights not mentioned in Const.; 10 powers not given to Fed Govt. in Const. given to states and people.
300
What is the full faith and credit clause?
Contracts made in one state must be honored in another.
400
Which philosopher was famous for writing the "Leviathan"? What basic principles did he advocate for?
Thomas Hobbes - A strong central government.
400
Who were the Founding Fathers/Framers
Political elites who drafted the Constitution
400
What was the purpose of the Federalist Papers? Identify an argument of the Federalists.
Federalists argued stronger central government necessary for organization, prosperity and to protect minorities, would divide branches of government to prevent too much power in one place, will have single executive who can efficiently execute laws.
400
How can a constitutional amendment (formally) be proposed?
Proposed: a. by two-thirds vote of both houses of congress, b. by national convention requested by two-thirds of the States
400
What is meant by enumerated and implied powers of the Constitution?
Enumerated powers - those specifically listed in the constitution, Implied powers - powers interpreted through the necessary and proper clause
500
Who wrote the "Wealth of Nations" and what new economic model did it advocate?
Adam Smith - Capitalism
500
The Founding Fathers were followers of which two belief systems? What was the general view of the Founding Fathers/Framers on human nature?
Christianity or Deism, Human beings naturally bad (angels and devils)
500
Identify the subject related to each of the 7 articles of the constitution.
A. I Legislative Branch, A. II Executive Branch, A. III Judicial Branch, A. IV Federalism, A. V Amending the Const, A. VI Constitution Supreme Law of teh Land, A. VII How to Ratify Const
500
How can a Constitutional Amendment be ratified?
Ratification: a. by 3/4 of state legislatures b.by 3/4 of ratifying conventions in the states
500
Describe the Confederate, Unitary and Federalist systems
Confederate - people vote for states/states control national govt.; Unitary - people vote for federal government/ federal government controls the states; Federal - people vote for both the federal and state governments, federal and state governments share power
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