Articles of Confederation
What were the Articles of Confederation?
First Constitution of US/ first framework
Why was the Constitutional Convention originally called?
To revise the Articles of Confederation
What are the name of the 3 branches?
Legislative, Executive, Judicial
Why do we have a system of checks and balances?
To make sure no single branch gets too much power
Define Bill of rights
1st ten amendments that protect rights of people from the gov.
Why did the Articles of Confederation Fail?
Gave little Power to the National Government, States had more power than National Gov.
What problem did the ⅗ Compromise solve?
Slave Representation in Population (⅗ of slaves counted in Population)
The President, Vice President and Cabinet are part of which branch?
Executive Branch
To make sure no single branch gets too much power
Veto (reject) laws passed by Congress
Define Preamble
Introduction to constitution, tells purpose of the Constitution
Name at least one weakness of the Articles of Confederation (other than the general too weak National Gov)
National gov. Couldn’t
Collect tax
Raise an Army
All 13 states had to agree to change the Articles
What did the Virginia Plan propose?
2 houses in congress… both based on state population! ** Favors large states
Who is part of Congress
Congress is House of Representatives and Senate
How can the legislative branch check the executive branch?
Congress (with ⅔ approval of both houses) can override a VETOED law (bill)
Impeach
Define Fourth Amendment
Protection Against Illegal Search & Seizure
What was the importance of Shay’s Rebellion?
Showed the Articles were too weak and a new document (Constitution) was needed as National Gov. couldn’t raise army to stop rebellion
What did the New Jersey Plan propose?
1 house in congress… = representation
** Favors small states
Who is part of the Judicial Branch?
Supreme Court
How can the Judicial Branch check the other branches?
Declare laws unconstitutional (legislative)
Declare executive actions unconstitutional (executive)
Define ratify
To approve
What was the ONE strength of the Articles of Confederation?
Northwest Ordinance -- process of how state would be added to country
What was/is the Great Compromise?
Combined the Virginia and New Jersey plans.
2 houses in congress
1 house (senate) is = representation… 2 per state (NJ Plan)
1 house (house of representation) is based on state population (VA Plan)
What are the jobs of each of the branches of government?
Legislative- makes the laws
Judicial- Interprets the laws
Executive- enforces the laws
How can the president check the judicial branch?
Nominates justices for Supreme Court
Define checks and balances
A system put in place to make sure no one branch gets too much power