Articles of Confederation & Shays’s Rebellion
What was the U.S.’s first form of government?
The Articles of Confederation
What does “We the People” represent?
Power comes from the people (popular sovereignty)
How many senators does each state have?
Two
What is the main job of the Executive Branch?
Enforce laws
What is federalism?
Power shared between states and national government
What major event showed the Articles of Confederation were too weak?
Shays’s Rebellion
What does “domestic tranquility” mean?
Peace inside the country
Representation in the House is based on what?
State population
How is the president chosen?
Electoral College
Name one power that belongs to state governments.
Schools, licenses, marriage laws, etc. (any one)
Why did farmers rebel in Shays’s Rebellion?
Judges ordered their farms be sold to pay off debt
What is one goal of the Preamble?
Examples: justice, common defense, general welfare, domestic tranquility, protection of liberty, etc.
What is the “bicameral” congress made up of?
Two houses (Senate + House of Representatives)
What does it mean to impeach a president?
Formally accuse the president of wrongdoing/Remove from office
What does the Supremacy Clause say?
The Constitution is the highest law
What did the government decide to do after Shays’s Rebellion?
Created the U.S. Constitution
What is majority rule?
Most votes make the decision
What does it mean when Congress overrides a veto?
Congress passes the law with 2/3 vote (ignores the veto)
What is the main job of the Judicial Branch?
Interpret laws
What is the purpose of the Commerce Clause?
Creates a common market/helps control interstate trade
Name ONE major weakness of the Articles of Confederation.
No power to tax, weak central gov’t, no army, money shortages, etc.
What principle divides the government into three branches?
Separation of powers
What does the Elastic Clause allow Congress to do?
Make the necessary and proper laws/agencies to fulfill its duties
What is judicial review?
Decide if laws are unconstitutional
How do interest groups influence government?
They persuade lawmakers and shape public opinion