Civics And The Constitutuon

aristotle

man is by nature a political animal

thomas hobbes

-author of leviathan
-state of nature = state of war
-state of war ends when individuals give power to a government
-social contracts exists between the rulers and the ruled

john locke

-natural rights - life liberty and property
-revolution is justified when social contract is broken by government

montesquieu

believed in the importance of three branches of government that would be seperate yet dependent on one another

thomas jefferson

-declaration of independence
-third president
-favored states rights
-limited federal government

alexander hamilton

- author of many federalist papers
- financial expert
- strong federal government
- killed in a duel with vice president burr

james madison

- father of consitution
- author of federalist papers and bill of rights
- changed views on government throughout his life

articles of confederation

- approved in 1781
- limited national government
- most political power lay with the states
- had only legislature branch
- each state has 1 vote

problems of the articles of confederation

-congress had to petition states for money
-changes could only be made if all 13 states agreed
-government can't print money
-different money for different states

colonists fears when creating new government

they feared of creating a government that would be too powerful

Shay's rebellion

-in Mass.
- (cause) states raised taxes to collect money to pay for the debt
- (effect) rebellion led by Daniel Shays
-conflict raged, congress had no money to get an army
-finally in January of 1787, Mass. government gathered an army and sent it to quiet

Virginia plan

large states would have more voting power and small states objected because they feared they would have little power

great compromise

created a legislative branch made up of two houses - the senate and house of reps

three-fifths compromise

three fifths of the slaves population would count towards the house of reps.

federalists

supported the Constitution, wealthy and educated, George Washington supported them

Anti-federalists

opposed Constitution, poor less educated farmers, had no constructive plan of their own, and wanted state government

six goals of constitution

1. to form a more perfect union
2. establish justice
3. ensure domestic tranquility
4. provide for the common defense
5. promote the general welfare
6. secure the blessings of liberty to our selves and our prosperity, to ordain and establish this Constitu

goal 1. to form a more perfect union

make country more united and more equal

goal 2. establish justice

ensure the country is as equal as possible and peace, establish court system

goal 3. ensure domestic tranquility

making sure that things don't get out of hand in the country

goal 6. secure the blessings of liberty to our selves and our prosperity, to ordain and establish this Constitution for the U.S.A

secures liberty now and in the future

Legislative branch's job

to make the law

two house that make up congress

house of reps. and senate

# of years members of house serve

2

three qualifications to be in the house

1. must be over 25 years old
2. U.S. citizen for 7 years
3. you live in state you're elected

# of members in house

435

# of years members of senate serve

6

three qualifications to be in the senate

1. must be older than 30
2. citizen for 9 years
3. live in the state you're elected

# of members in senate

100

executive branch -President and cabinent

enforce the law

Qualifications to be President

1. Older than 35
2. Natural born citizen
3. Need to be a resident of US for 14 years prior to being elected.

How the President is elected

electoral college (popular vote)
270 votes to win

What is the cabinet?

The President's appointed adviosors

Six MAJOR responsibilities the President has

1. Executive
2. Indirect Legislative power
3. Indirect Judicial power
4. Military powers
5. Control of Foreign policy
6.Chief of state

Judicial branch

Interprets the law

Number of members on the Supreme Court

9

Judicial Review

Courts power to declare a law unconstitutional.

The length of Supreme Court term and Why?

For life but they can retire, so they aren't pressured to lose their job.

What can the President do differently during the time of War?

He has more control of the government and the checks and balance system becomes suspended.

1st amendment

Freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly and petition.

2nd amendment

Right to bear arms

3rd amendment

Citizens cannot be forced to house troops.

4th amendment

No unreasonable search and seizure, search warrant is needed.

5th amendment

No double jeopardy, right to remain silent.

6th amendment

Rights of the accused - Jury trial, attorney, told of charges and confront witness.

7th amendment

Right to a jury trial in Civil Cases. (Suing cases)

8th amendment

No excessive bail or cruel and unusual punishment.

9th amendment

Other rights are also held by the people.

10th amendment

Powers not given to federal government are reserved for the states.