Great Charter." This document was signed by King John in 1215. It was the first document that limited the power of the English King.
Magna Carta
1
This document in 1689 further limited the king's power by giving Parliament law-making power and giving English citizens' rights, such as trial by jury and protection from cruel and unusual punishment
English Bill of Rights
2
English philosopher who believed a "social contract" existed between the ruler and ruled; also said people have "natural rights" that governments should protect
John Locke
3
rights that belong to all human beings from birth, like life, liberty, property, religion
natural rights"
4
French philosopher who proposed that the power in a government should be divided up so power is spread out evenly, or "separated
Baron de Montesquieu
5
the division of governmental power into 3 "branches:" the legislative, executive, and judicial branches (Baron de Montesquieu's idea)
separation of powers"
6
a written plan or document that explains the powers and duties of a government
constitution
7
A form of government in which citizens choose their leaders by voting
republic
8
a document describing individual rights of citizens protected by a government
bill of rights
9
Law granting religious liberty, or freedom, written by Thomas Jefferson, in 1786
Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom
10
the right to vote
suffrage
11
first constitution of the U.S., ratified in 1781, that created a weak national government and gave more power to the 13 states
The Articles of Confederation
12
approve formally; confirm; verify
ratify
13
located north of the Ohio River, East of the Mississippi River, West of the Appalachians, and South of Canada/ The Great Lakes
Northwest Territory
14
defined process for territories to become states (population reached 60,000); forbade slavery in the new territories
Northwest Ordinance of 1787
15
a government tax on imports or exports
tariff
16
trade between two or more states
interstate commerce
17
a drop in economic activity (buying and selling of goods, etc.)
depression
18
Rebellion led by Daniel Shays of farmers in western Massachusetts in 1786-1787, protesting mortgage foreclosures. It highlighted the need for a strong national government and pointed out the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation
Shays's Rebellion
19
meeting of delegates in 1787 to revise the Articles of Confederation, which produced the new U.S. Constitution
Constitutional Convention
20
document that created a new government in 1787 for the U.S., based on federalism and the separation of powers
The Constitution
21
nicknamed "Father of the Constitution," he also wrote the Bill of Rights and was one of the authors of "The Federalist Papers
James Madison
22
This called for 3 branches of government: legislative, executive and judicial; favored by the larger states because the representation in Congress was proportioned based on each state's population.
The Virginia Plan
23
A plan unsuccessfully proposed at the Constitutional Convention, providing for a single legislative house with equal representation for each state
The New Jersey Plan
24
A plan for the legislative branch that created two houses: the Senate (equal representation from each state) and the House of Representatives (representation based on a state's population)
The Great Compromise
25
3/5th of the slaves would be counted as people in representation and the slave trade would come to an end (legally) in 20 years (1807)
The 3/5 Compromise
26
a system in which power is divided or distributed between the national and state governments
federalism
27
the branch of government that makes the laws
legislative branch
28
the legislature (law-making body) of the United States government (535)
Congress
29
the "upper house" of the United States Congress, made up of two Senators from every state (100)
Senate
30
the "lower house" of the United States Congress, where representation is based on a state's population (435)
House of Representatives
31
the branch of government headed by the President, that carries out the nation's laws and policies
executive branch
32
the branch of government that is made up of the national courts; interprets laws, punishes criminals, and settles disputes between states
judicial branch
33
A system that allows each branch of government to limit the powers of the other branches in order to prevent abuse of power
checks and balances"
34
supporters of The Constitution who believed in a stronger national government
Federalists
35
people who feared the Constitution, thinking it gave too much power to the national government, taking power away from the states
Anti-Federalists
36
Delegate to the Constitutional Convention and leader of the Federalists; strong supporter of the Constitution; wrote most of the Federalist Papers ($10)
Alexander Hamilton
37
a series of essays written in support of the Constitution, authored by Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison
The Federalist Papers"
38
official corrections, additions, or changes to the Constitution
amendments
39
the first ten amendments to the Constitution, ratified in 1791, which guaranteed individual rights to citizens; written by James Madison
The Bill of Rights
40
Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?
No leader, no army, no power to tax, no power to regulate trade, etc.
Who makes up the legislative branch?
Congress (535); the Senate (100) and the House of Representatives (435)
Who makes up the executive branch?
The President, Vice-President, and his administration
Who makes up the judicial branch?
The Supreme Court (9 members) and other federal courts (94)
Responsibilities of legislative branch?
Make laws, raise taxes, declare war, prints money, regulates trade, approves presidential appointments, etc.
Responsibilities of executive branch?
Proposes, passes, vetoes laws; enforces laws, commander in chief of armed forces; head of foreign affairs, appoints judges, ambassadors, other government officials, etc.
Responsibilities of judicial branch?
Interprets the laws, punishes criminals, resolves conflicts between states; can find laws unconstitutional
Two current senators from Massachusetts?
Elizabeth Warren and Edward Markey
Congressional Representative in the House of Reps that represents Ludlow?
Richard Neal