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.