Separate and Equal Station
Who chose the elected assembly in a colony?
Property-owning males
What was America's first national governing document after independence?
The Articles of Confederation.
What year did Constitutional Convention meet?
1787
What was the role of religion in the founding of the United States?
America was founded on the belief in God, but the founders didn't want an officially established religion.
The Preamble of Const. states that American gov. begins with whom?
We, the people
What were 3 common elements of a colonial government?
Governor, a small council of advisers, and an elected assembly
What was the main purpose of the Articles of Confederation?
To create as limited a central government as possible
What compromise was reached about the make-up of Congress?
The number of representatives from the House would be based upon population, but each state would have 2 senators.
What were some religious activities of the new nation's government?
Congress opened sessions with prayer
Congress called for days of prayer and fasting
Church services were conducted in the House chamber
How many writers of the Constitution were immigrants or descendants of immigrants?
All of them
Why did the first Continental Congress meet in 1774?
In response to the Coercive Acts
Under the Articles, the national government was deliberately designed to give the ______ most of the governmental power.
States
What is "delegated powers?"
The idea that a gov. does not have unlimited powers but only those powers that are specifically delegated to it. It divides governmental power among separate branches. (ie, President is Commander in Chief but congress has power to declare war.)
In what founding documents is God mentioned?
The Declaration of Independence and the Articles of Confederation
How did the Constitution form a more perfect union?
By creating a stronger government than existed under the articles of Confederation
What did Richard Henry Lee of VA propose to the Continental Congress in 1776?
That the colonies ought to be free and independent states (and a committee was formed to write a Declaration of Independence)
How many votes did each state have in the Confederation Congress?
One
What was the compromise reached about slavery?
3/5 Compromise: 3/5 of the number of slaves would be counted for both direct taxes and for seats in the House.
What did most people in the new nation believe about God?
Most believed in the God of the Bible and few were Deists or atheists.
What is the meaning of the phrase "provide for the common defense?"
Military preparedness, diplomacy, and being alert to foreign threats
The Declaration of Independence states that the government derives its power from what?
The consent of the governed
What was the result of the Articles of Confederation requiring nine votes to pass significant laws?
Political paralysis that prevented almost all meaningful change
What was the Federalist and who wrote it (name at least one author)?
A series of articles favoring ratification that appeared in newspapers in New York & other states written by John Jay, James Madison, and Alexander Hamilton.
List 2 founding fathers and their beliefs.
Washington, Adams, Jay - strong believers
Jefferson - questioned Orthodox doctrines
Franklin - skeptic
What is the meaning of "general welfare"
What will help people as a whole, not just certain groups
Name 3 of the 5 basic principles outlined in the Declaration of Independence that would serve as the foundation of our Government.
- All men are created equal.
- Everyone has the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
- The purpose of government it to protect these rights.
- Government derives it power from the consent of the governed
- When a government fails to secure these rights, the people have a right to alter or abolish the government and create a new government that will secure them
Name TWO major weaknesses of the national government under the Articles.
- Inability to levy taxes
- lack of a strong executive
- lack of a national judiciary
- difficulty enforcing laws
- difficulty amending the Articles?
List 3 reasons the Constitution has been successful.
1. created to work in changing circumstances
2. Will of people paramount, limit gov. power
3. Based on ideals of fairness and equality
4. Flexible and can be amended when needed
What is the purpose of the "non-establishment" clause of the 1st Amendment?
To prevent Congress from legislating either for or against church establishment in anyway.
Abortion
Environmental Policy