Under the Articles of Confederation, who had power?
State governments
Why did the Constitutional Convention keep their discussion secret?
They wanted to speak freely and avoid upsetting the people
What are the three branches of government?
Executive, Legislative, and Judicial
What did the Federalists want?
Strong Federal government
Define Bill of Rights
First 10 Amendments, Give U.S. citizens their basic rights
Did the Articles of Confederation create a weak or powerful central government?
Weak
What were the important parts of the Virginia Plan?
Bi-cameral, representation based off population
What does the Executive Branch do?
Enforces the laws
What did the Anti-Federalists want?
Tyranny
Cruel and oppressive government or leader
What were the Articles of Confederation
The first written form of government for the United States
What were the important parts of the New Jersey plan?
Uni-Cameral, Equal representation
What does the Legislative branch do?
It makes the laws
What is the supreme law of the land?
The U.S. Constitution
Federalism
Division between state and federal governmental powers
Name two of the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation
No federal tax, no control over states, no military, weak federal government
What was the three-fifths compromise?
Slaves would count as three-fifths of a person towards the states population for representation in Congress
What does the Judicial Branch do?
It interprets the laws
What did some of the states want in the Constitution before they would ratify it?
Bill of Rights
Land Ordinance of 1785
Set up system for dividing western land, set up townships
What did Shays' Rebellion reveal about the government?
That the Federal Government was too weak
What is the Great Compromise?
Bi-Cameral (Senate= 2 per state and House of Representatives = based off population), three branches of government
Daily Double - What number President will the next President be?
47
How can the Constitution be changed?
Through the Amendment process
Northwest Ordinance
Federal government controlled the Northwest Territory, outlawed slavery