Philosophers
Thomas Hobbes came up with the idea of a social contract. What is a social contract?
people give up their individual freedom to the government. In return, the government provides peace and order
Name that compromise: the two sides compromised with the creation of the Electoral College, which is made up of electors roughly proportional to population. Citizens actually vote for electors bound to a particular candidate who then votes for the president.
Electoral College
Who is the father of the constitution?
James Madison
Gives the people a voice or a say in their government by exercising their right to vote. The people vote for their political representatives, who make the laws on their behalf.
What is Republicanism
Defines the powers of the Legislative Branch.
What is Article I?
Who came up with the idea of natural rights?
John Locke
Name that compromise: Tariffs were only to be allowed on imports from foreign countries and not exports from the U.S.; interstate commerce would be regulated by the federal government; all commerce legislation be passed by a two-thirds majority in the Senate
Commerce Compromise
What was added to explicitly guarantee certain rights and protections to US citizens by limiting the power of the federal government.
The Bill of Rights
The idea that the government’s authority comes from the people and reflects their will. The U.S. Constitution begins with the phrase “We the people...” and indicates the source of our government’s power
What is popular sovereignty?
Article II states that this branch has power over the army and navy as commander-in-chief?
What is the executive branch?
Define natural rights
These are rights people have simply because they are human beings
Name that compromise: every five slaves would be counted as three individuals in terms of representation
3/5 compromise
The Constitution is the highest law in the land. No other laws can contradict the Constitution or override it based on this clause found in Article VI.
What is the supremacy clause?
People give up their individual sovereignty to the government. In exchange, the government provides peace and order.
What is social contract theory?
Article I, Section 8, Clause 18 states that Congress can expand its power when it is ______________ and ___________ clause; also known as the ___________ clause.
What is the "necessary and proper" clause; also called the "elastic" clause?
What are the 3 natural rights listed in the Declaration of Independence?
Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness
Name that compromise: Northern states agreed to wait until 1808 before Congress would be able to ban the slave trade in the U.S.
Slave trade compromise
This series of essays explained to the people why they should support the Constitution
The Federalist Papers
Examples include when the President nominates new supreme court justice; Congress confirms new supreme court justice; Nominee becomes a justice of the supreme court
What are checks and balances?
Describes the rights of individual states. Citizens in eveyr state share the same rights, all states function under a republican form of government. These provisions are all found in this article.
What is Article IV?
What was Charles De Montesquieu's contribution?
separating the powers of government
Name that compromise: combined the New Jersey Plan and Virginia plan to create the 2 chambers of Congress, the House of Representatives and the Senate
The Great Compromise/Connecticut Compromise
What is one way to propose an amendment to the constitution?
Congressional proposal method or State convention method
A government that divides the powers of government between the national government and the state or provincial governments.
What is a Federal system?
What is 1/3 of Congress OR 2/3 of states, calling for a convention?