What type of national/federal government did the Articles of Confederation set up?
The Articles of Confederation created a confederation in the United States. A confederation is a government in which the state government, not national, have dominant power. The leaders of the new nation feared that a strong, centralized government would
What couldn't Congress do under the Articles of Confederation?
Congress, had no power to tax. Congress could raise money only by asking the states for funds, In addition, Congress could not draft soldiers or regulate trade.
Why were the Articles of Confederation a failure?
Articles of Confederation failed, essentially, because of the lack of a strong central government.
9 out of 13 states had to approve a proposal to become law.
under the Articles had no power to tax, no ability to regulate interstate commerce, could not ma
What were the 2 good things from the Articles of Confederation?
Land Ordinance of 1785, Northwest Ordinance.
What was the Land Ordinance of 1785?
System of land sales and settlement.
Public land was divided into townships 6miles by 6 miles. The townships were divided into 1 mile squares, sold for no less than $1 per acre. One section was set aside in each town to support schools. Showed that democr
What was the Northwest Ordinance of 1787?
SET UP A 3 STEP PROCESS FOR ADMITTING NEW STATES.
It set up a system for the land in the Northwest Territory, North of the Ohio River.
Congress appointed a governor, secretary, & 3 judges. When the territory had 5,000 free adult males, it could elect a le
Shay's Rebellion-What was it and why was it significant?
Shays Rebellion was an uprising of the farmers in Massachusetts. There was a depression and farmers could not pay their state taxes. The state was taking/seizing the farmers' land. Angry farmers demanded the state to stop the farm sales. They wanted the s
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION
What was the purpose and what happened?
1787. Goal: Revise the Articles of Confederation. Delegates from 12/13 states arrived.
They formed a new Constitution with a stronger central government. It was debated and passed by 9/13 states.
It called for:
3 branches of government: judicial, executiv
The Great Compromise.
Virginia Plan proposed a legislature with the number of representatives based on population.
The NJ plan proposed a legislature with 2 representatives per state.
The Compromise a two house congress:
The House of Representatives would be based on populatio
Bill of Rights
The first ten amendments (change) to the Constitution.
Purpose: to protect Americans against unfair use of government powers.
freedom of speech, religion, press. Right to bear arms, government can't force citizen to quarter soldiers, unlawful search of ho
Checks and balances/Separation of Powers
3 branches of government: executive, judicial, legislature.
No one branch can get too powerful.
Legislative branch: Makes the laws: Congress: Senate & House of Representative.
Executive Branch: President. Carries out the laws, commander-in chief of milita
Amendment and Amendment Process
a change in the words or meaning of a law or document (such as a constitution)
Congress must pass an Amendment with a 2/3 vote.
Then it goes to the states, the states must pass with a 3/4 vote.
Then it is passed/ratified.
Who had the majority of power in the Articles of Confederation vs. The Constitution?
Articles of Confederation: states the majority of power.
The Constitution: Balance of power/checks and balances between the 3 branches of government. The people have the power in representative government.
Structure of the Government- Articles of Confederation vs. The Constitution?
Articles of Confederation: No executive branch, no judicial branch. Had legislative branch but 9/13 states had to pass laws. Weak federal government. Couldn't collect taxes, or print or borrow money, couldn't form a military or stop rebellions.
The Consti
Ratification
Approve
Why was there debate over whether or not to ratify the Constitution?
Federalists vs. AntiFederalists. Federalists: Wanted a strong Federal government.
AntiFederalists; They thought the constitution weakened the state power and individual freedom.
Some wanted the Bill of Rights
Some didn't like the President being able to b
Federalists, Who were they? What did they want?
Supporters of the New Constitution who wanted a strong federal/central/national government. James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay.
Federalists Papers
A series of 85 articles and essays written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay promoting the ratification of the United States Constitution
Antifederalists. Who were they? What did they want?
Opponents of the ratification of the Constitution. George Mason, Patrick Henry. Constitution weakened the States, Wanted a Bill of Rights. Was he a President or King?
George Washington's Farewell Address
Wanted to leave public life in 1796
Warned do not form permanent alliances with foreign countries, do not borrow money; pay off any debt asap. And work out political affairs
Good things we did as a country were have equal power in the national gov.
remain
federalism
In a federalist government, the power is divided between the national government and other governmental units. In the U.S., this means the power is divided between our federal government and our state and local governments.
The United States Constitution
3/5 Compromise
Judge James Wilson developed the 3/5 compromise
The North didn't want slaves to count for population purposes so the south wouldn't have more power in house of reps. They also wanted slaves to be taxed
The South wanted slaves to count for population purpo
Alien and Sedition Acts
Four laws of Congress that restricted the rights of groups of people. The Naturalization Act increased from 5 to 14 the number of years a non-American had to be living in America before he or she could become an American citizen. The Alien Act allowed the
Father of the Constitution
James Madison is generally regarded as the father of the United States Constitution. No other delegate was better prepared for the Federal Convention of 1787, and no one contributed more than Madison to shaping the ideas and contours of the document or to
Supreme Court (Powers)
The Court is the ultimate decision in the Nation for all cases and controversies arising under the Constitution or the laws of the United States. The Court is charged with ensuring the American people the promise of equal justice under law and, thereby, a
The first political parties
The first two parties were the Federalists and the Democratic-Republicans. The Federalists, led by Alexander Hamilton, were for a strong national government and public support for the economy, while the Democratic-Republicans, led by Thomas Jefferson, wer
Ordinance of Religious Freedom
The Virginia legislature passes Jefferson's Ordinance of Religious Freedom guaranteeing that no man may be forced to attend or support any church or be discriminated against because of his religious preference. This will later serve as the model for the f
XYZ Affair
was a diplomatic incident between French and United States diplomats that resulted in a limited, undeclared war known as the Quasi-War. U.S. and French negotiators restored peace with the Convention of 1800, also known as the Treaty of Mortefontaine.
Federalists vs. Antifederalists
Federalists
� Supported Constitution
� Desired strong central government
� Liked balance of powers in Constitution
� Made speeches and pamphlets advocating change in government
Antifederalists
� Opposed Constitution
� Feared central government would be to
Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions
Written anonymously by Jefferson and Madison in response to the Alien and Sedition Acts, they declared that states could nullify federal laws that the states considered unconstitutional.
Legislative Branch
Makes the laws
Executive Branch
Article II of the Constitution lists powers of executive branch, which enforces laws passed by Congress.
Head of the executive branch is the president.
President and vice president elected every four years.
Vice president becomes president if the presiden
Judicial Branch
Judicial branch�system of federal courts headed by U.S. Supreme Court.
Article III of the Constitution outlines courts' duties.
Federal courts can strike down a state or federal law if the court finds law unconstitutional.
Federal court judges are appoint
Concurrent Powers
Powers held jointly by the national and state governments.
electoral college
A certain number of electors from each state proportional to and seemingly representative of that state's population. each elector chooses a candidate believing they are representing their constituency's choice. The candidate who receives a higher proport
strict construction
way of interpreting the Constitution that allows the federal government to take only those actions the Constitution specifically says it can take
loose construction
belief that the government can do anything that the constitution does not prohibit
5th amendment
Criminal Proceedings; Due Process; Eminent Domain; Double Jeopardy; Protection from Self incrimination
6th Amendment
Right to a speedy, public trial by jury
Right to know charges and hear witnesses
Right to impel witnesses to appear
Right to an attorney
7th Amendment
Right of trial by jury in civil cases�cases where harm has occurred but not necessarily the breaking of the law
8th Amendment
Allows for bail, a set amount of money that defendants promise to pay the court if they fail to appear at the proper time
Bans "cruel and unusual punishments
3rd Amendment
prevents the military from forcing citizens to house soldiers
5th-8th Amendments
provide guidelines for protecting the rights of the accused.