Articles of Confederation
What were the Articles of Confederation?
Our first official Government structure in the US after we Declared ourselves independent from England/The King.
What was the outcome of the Constitutional Convention?
We wrote the Constitution
What was the Enlightenment Era?
A movement that expanded thinking on philosophy, politics and how humans progress in society.
What is popular sovereignty?
*Voting and the set up for the Preamble "We the people"
What are the 3 Branches of Government
Legislative
Executive
Judicial
What was the main purpose of the Constitutional Convention?
To REVISE (edit) the Articles of Confederation
Who is considered the Father of the Constitution and what did he do that was so impactful?
James Madison
Established the Constitution and 3 equal Branches of Government (Legislative, Executive and Judicial)
Who was John Locke?
Enlightenment thinker known for his ideas on individual liberty, natural rights and social contracts between governments and people.
What is Limited Government?
Government is not all powerful
*term lengths and limits
*Bill of Rights
What are the 3 Divisions of Government
Federal
State
Local
What was the only Branch of Government in the Articles of Confederation?
The Legislative Branch
What were the New Jersey Plan, Virginia Plan and Connecticut (Great) Compromises?
New Jersey - Equal Representation
Virginia Plan - Representation based on Population
Connecticut (Great) Compromise - Bicameral Legislature - 2 chambers one for equal and one for population
Who was Thomas Hobbes
Enlightenment thinker that was a fan of monarchy and thought humans were selfish and driven by war.
Thomas Jefferson did NOT like his thoughts and did a lot to make the Declaration of Independence opposite of Hobbes beliefs.
What is Separation of Power?
No branch is all powerful
*Legislative - makes laws
*Executive - enforces laws
*Judicial - interprets laws
What were our first two political parties (and their goals)?
Federalists - Supported the Constitution and wrote the Federalist papers to get it passed
Anti-Federalists - Did not Support the Constitution because they really wanted a Bill of Rights.
What are the weaknesses of the Article of Confederation?
One vote for each State.
Federal government could not Tax.
Could not regulate commerce
No Executive Branch
No Judicial Branch
Took 9/13 states to Pass laws
Confederate form
What were the 3 major issues they needed to address at the Constitutional Convention?
Congress (Bicameral)
Do we count Slaves in the population (3/5th Compromise)
Elect a President
Why did Thomas Jefferson study the enlightenment thinkers?
To help write the Declaration of Independence freeing the US from England's Rule.
What are Checks and Balances?
Each branch can have a little control over the other
*Remember the Triangle with the arrows pointing back and forth???
What are the Powers outlined for the Government in the Constitution?
Enumerated (expressed)
Implied (Necessary and Proper Clause)
Concurrent
Reserved (states only)
What were the Constitution Solutions from the Articles?
Bicameral Congress (Population and Equal Representation)
Congress can Tax
Congress can Regulate commerce
Created an Executive Branch
Created a Judicial Branch
4 Different ways to amend laws with different percentages
To pass a law you need 50%+1 from each chamber and the Presidents signature
Federal Form
What is the Census and how do we do it?
The population count that happens every 10 years in years that in 0 (2000, 2010, 2020)
Done at every division (Federal, State and Local)
What were the influences that Thomas Jefferson took from the Enlightenment thinkers for the Declaration of Independence?
Natural Law
Natural Rights (life, liberty and property)
Social Contract
What is Judicial Review?
The Power to declare acts unconstitutional
(If something violates the constitution it cannot exist...remember supremacy???)
What is Federalism?
Power is shared between the Federal and State Governments
(Don't forget this is one of the Principles but also important enough it needs its own category)