Articles of Confederation, Northwest Ordinance
What were the main reasons the A of C failed?
There wasn't a strong central government (the federal gov. couldn't enforce taxes, and the all the states had to ratifiy the Articles and any admendments)
Where was the constitution created?
At the constitutional convention in 1787 Philadelphia.
What does the Executive Branch of the Goverment do?
The Executive Branch consists of the president. It carries out laws, appoints judges, and can veto laws.
What is the Bill of Rights?
The first 10 amendments to the Constitution that protect citizen's rights.
What are the Federalists? Who are some examples?
Federalists supported the constitution and wanted a strong national government. Leaders included James Madison, Hamiliton, and John Jay.
The A of C was the first constitution of the United States. It established a weak central government.
What was the Constitutional Convention?
A meeting (lead by George Washington) to disscuss ideas about how our new country should be governed.
What does the Legislative Branch of the Goverment do?
The Legislative Branch consists of the Senate and the House of Representatives. It can impeach judges and the senate can approve appointed people and override vetos.
What is the Virginia Declaration of Rights?
An essay written by George Mason that helped shape the Declartion of Independence and the Bill of Rights
What are the Anti- Federalists? Who are some examples?
Anti- Federalists opposed the constitution at first and wanted strong state governments. Leaders included Patrick Henry, George Mason, and Samuel Adams.
What was the Northwest Ordinance?
A law that created a single Northwest Territory (Wisconsin, Illionis, Indiana, Ohio, and Michigan).
What is the Great Compromise?
It decided how many votes each state would recevive in Congress.
Senate: 2 per state
House of Representativies: based on population of each state
What does the Judicial Branch of the Goverment do?
The Legislative Branch consists of many different courts. It enforces laws and can declare acts as unconstitutional.
What is The Virginia Statue for Religious Freedom?
An essay written by Thomas Jefferson that stated all men should be able to worship as they wish.
What are the Federalist Papers?
A collection of essays to convince people to support the ratification of the constitution.
What is the Premable?
The introduction to the Constitution. It states the purposes of the Constitution and some of the basic ideas about gov.
What is the System of Checks and Balances?
It is a system where each branch checks the other branches to make sure one branch doesn't have too much power.
What are examples of the amendments in the Bill of Rights?
- Freedom of Speech
- Right to assemble
What are some key points in the FP?
- Why a strong national gov. was needed
What were the consequences of the A of C?
Problems such as Shay's Rebillion showed weakness in the articles.
What is the Constitution?
The supreme law of the land that outlines a set of laws for organizing, Granting and limiting the powers of our gov.
Who wrote the FP?
James Madison, Alexander Hamiliton, and John Jay (Publius)