Constitutional Convention
Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?
Thomas Jefferson
Rule of Law
No one is above the law
"We the people... in order to form a more perfect union"
Constitution
What article outlines the Legislative Branch?
Article I
How many constitutions has Texas had?
7
Who was the Father of the Constitution?
James Madison
What was the 3/5ths Compromise?
Counted every 5 enslaved persons as 3 for the purpose of representation
"All men are created equal... Life liberty and the pursuit of happiness"
Declaration of Independence
What article focuses on National Supremacy
Article VI
Why did Texas have two constitutions right after the civil war?
Congress did not accept the first one, and they had to write another one.
What were the reasons the Articles of Confederation failed? Name at least 4
-No national power to tax
- No executive branch
- Congress couldn't regulate interstate and foreign commerce
-States issued their own money
-Very difficult to amend articles
-No national identity
Virginia Plan
Offered by the larger states- Population determined representation
"When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary to dissolve..."
What article defines treason?
Article III
What are the first three articles of the Texas Constitution?
1) Bill of Rights
2) Separation of Powers
3) Establishes Legislature
What important issues did the Convention delegates disagree about?
Representation (population based or equal), Slavery (legal or not), Presidency.
What was the New Jersey Plan?
Plan offered by the smaller states, equality of states determined representation.
“The purpose of separation of church and state is to keep forever from these shores the ceaseless strife that has soaked the soil of Europe in blood for centuries”
James Madison
What article has the presidential oath of office?
Article II
What are the main proposals for improving the Texas Constitution?
1) School Funding
2) Private school vouchers take money from public schools
3) Poverty and Health insurance
What key ideas did the Convention delegates agree on?
- Wanted a republic
- Believed in idea of social contract
- National supremacy
- Separation of Powers and checks and balances
- Rule of Law
What was the Great Compromise? What did it do?
Compromise that created bicameral legislature. House of Representatives determined by population, Senate based on equality of the states.
Who said "I must study politics and war that my sons may have liberty to study mathematics and philosophy..."
John Adams
What article outlines State Relations
Article IV
What were at least 3 important aspects of the 1827 Texas Constitution
-Community Property system
- Homestead exemption from bankruptcy
- Education
- Separation of Powers
- Unicameral Legislature
- Establishment of Catholicism as state religion