Articles of Confederation
What was the Articles of Confederation designed to establish?
The basic framework of the national government.
(Government right after we gain independence from the British)
What was the main purpose of the Constitutional Convention?
To address problems with the Articles of Confederation and create a more effective national government. (Stronger Centralized Government)
Which group supported a stronger centralized government?
Federalists
Why did the framers divide power among three branches?
To prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful.
Name one important power the national government lacked under the Articles.
It could not directly tax the states, effectively enforce national laws, or regulate interstate commerce. etc.
What did the Great Compromise establish?
A bicameral Congress, with representation based on population in the House of Representatives and equal representation for each state in the Senate.
Which group worried that a strong national government could threaten individual rights and state authority?
Anti-Federalists
The primary aim of the writers of the United States Constitution was to
Strengthen the centralized (Federal) government to give it more power
How did Shays’ Rebellion reveal a weakness in the national government?
It showed that the national government struggled to respond effectively to unrest and maintain order.
What is the 3/5ths clause/compromise?
The principle that counted 3 out of every 5 slaves towards representation in congress
What addition helped address Anti-Federalist concerns about individual rights?
Bill of Rights
What Constitutional principle divides power among three branches?
Separation of Powers
Give one success the Articles of Confederation had
Land Ordinance of 1785 and Northwest Ordinance of 1787; Helped organized land to help settlers move west
What are the two houses in congress that we still have today from the Great Compromise?
Senate, House of Representatives
How did Federalists respond to concerns that a stronger government could become tyrannical?
They argued that the Constitution limited government powers and divided authority among branches, making it harder for any one branch to dominate.
What is the Bill of Rights
First 10 amendments of Constitution; Antifederalists were pushing for this, so the central government did not become too powerful
What event was the final straw for the Articles of Confederation?
Shays' Rebellion
Who is the person responsible for the Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise)
Roger Sherman
Explain the central disagreement between Federalists and Anti-Federalists.
Federalists believed a stronger national government was needed to govern effectively and preserve the Union. Anti-Federalists feared that national power could threaten state authority and individual rights.
What is checks and balances?
The idea that one branch can provide a check of power on another branch (Overriding a presidential veto)