Enlightened Ideas
What did Thomas Jefferson believe was the main purpose of government?
To protect people's natural rights
Under the Articles, could Congress tax citizens?
No
What was the goal of the Constitutional Convention in 1787?
To fix or replace the Articles of Confederation
What did the Great Compromise create?
Two-house Congress: Senate & House
What are the first ten amendments called?
The Bill of Rights
If a government fails to protect rights, what did Jefferson believe citizens could do?
Overthrow or change the government
What was the main weakness of the Articles of Confederation?
The national government was too weak
Who presided over the convention?
George Washington
What did the three-fifths Compromise decide?
Enslaved people count as 3/5 of a person for representation.
How many amendments are in the Bill of Rights?
Ten
What could Congress do under the Articles but not enforce?
Why did delegates keep the meetings secret?
To speak freely without public pressure
What is the purpose of checks and balances?
Each branch limits the power of the others
What did Federalists want?
Ratification of the Constitution
The Enlightenment influenced the Founding Fathers to base government on what idea?
Consent of the governed
What did Congress do with the Northwest Territory?
Organized it and banned slavery there
What type of government did the Virginia Plan propose
Federal government with three branches
Who is the head of the Executive Branch?
The President
What did Anti-Federalists want added before ratifying?
A Bill of Rights
Why was creating new state governments called a "great experiment"?
It was the first test of self-government by the people
Why did people call for a strong government?
The Articles made the government powerless to solve problems (Shay's Rebellion)
What did the New Jersey Plan propose?
Equal representaion for each state
What are the three branches of government?
Legislative, Executive, Judicial
What are the four guiding principles of the Constitution?
Popular soverignty, limited government, separation of powers, checks and balances