Roots of American Democracy
Define Bicameral
two chamber legislature
What ideas about early government could American leaders have learned from the Iroquois confederation?
constitutional government, strong alliances, respect for elders
what issue led to the delay of the ratification of the Articles of Confederation?
Disputes over who could control western lands, small states without land claims would not approve Articles
What was the original purpose of the 1787 Constitutional Convention?
to revise articles of confederation
Why did the framers establish a ratification process that bypassed congress and the state legislatures?
wanted approval and expected resistance
How were charter colonies and royal colonies different
charter colonies were largely self governed while royal colonies are controlled by the crown
Why was the first continental congress called?
to demand a repeal of the intolerable acts, end military occupation, gain power to impose own taxes
What weaknesses in the articles prevented congress from financing its activity?
could not levy taxes or regulate commerce
How did the Virginia Plan aim to improve the structure of national government?
Supported strong central government, bicameral legislature with representation based on population
Who were the authors of the Federalist papers?
Hamilton, Madison, Jay
Which landmark documents challenged the absolute authority of the monarchy?
magna carta, petition of right, english bill of rights
What was congress' purpose in drafting the Declaration of Independence?
They wanted a clear statement of why they were breaking away from England
What was Shay's Rebellion?
an uprising in Massachusetts farmers fearful of losing their land
who were the framers of the constituton?
Ben Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, William Patterson, Edmund Randolpoh, Roger Sherman, George Washington
Why did antifederalists insist on bill of rights?
to protect individual liberties against government
which political philosopher is associated with the idea of separation of powers?
Charles de Montesquieu
What ideas about government did state constitutions experiment with?
self-government, limiting the power of executive branch, separation of powers, individual rights
How did national and state powers differ under the Articles of Confederation?
national powers were limited and specifically cited in the articles
How did the Virginia Plan and New Jersey Plan differ?
V- bicameral, representation in both houses based on population
NJ- Unicameral, each state one vote
over what issues to federalists and anti-federalist disagree?
strength of federal government, restructuring of congress, power of executive branch, necessity of bill of rights
How did limited government develop in England? 4 events
through magna carta, English civil war, glorious revolution and English bill of rights
What forms of protest did the colonists use to oppose British policies?
boycotts, rallies,, pamphlets, letter-writing campaigns
What areas did the Northwest Ordinance include?
Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Minnesota and Wisconsin
Define three-fifths compromise
three fifths of the enslaved people would be counted when determining states population
How did the promise to add the bill of rights to the constitution influence the ratification debate?
some states would not ratify without it