Term
| Why did the colonies decide they needed a national government in addition to a state government? |
|
Definition
| American's began to fear that the government could do nothing to protect their safety. Riots broke out in several states. After Shay's Rebellion many political leaders, merchants, etc. argued that a stronger national government was needed. Leaders were sent to Philadelphia to revise the Articles of Confederation. |
|
|
Term
| What were some of the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation? |
|
Definition
It lacked power and money. Congress could not collect taxes, regulate trade, or enforce laws. Under the articles there was no single leader or group. There was no court system. Congress could not pass laws without approval of 9 states. The Articles could not be changed without all 13 states approving the change. |
|
|
Term
| What were the strengths of the Articles of Confederation? |
|
Definition
| It established a system for cooperation or "league of friendship". It set up a one-house legislation. The government body had control over the army and authority to deal with foreign countries on behalf of the states. |
|
|
Term
| What was the Ordinance of 1785? |
|
Definition
| This Ordinance set up a system for taking a measurement of an area of land (surveying) and selling the western lands. |
|
|
Term
| Why did the delegates think the Articles of Confederation needed to be replaced? |
|
Definition
| They had serious problems. Congress had difficulty passing laws because they needed 9 states voted in favor. Any attempt to amend or change the Articles required all of the states to agree (unanimously). Congress had difficulty accomplishing anything. Congress could not enforce laws either. It did not provide for a governor or courts. |
|
|
Term
| What did the Three-Fifths Compromise solve? |
|
Definition
| It solved the argument over how slaves should be counted for representation purposes. The Southern states wanted to count them to increase their voting power in Congress. The compromise allowed every 3 of 5 slaves to be counted. |
|
|
Term
| Why was the U.S. Constitution called a blueprint for running our country? |
|
Definition
It is the highest authority in the nation. It is the basic law of the United States. The powers of the three branches of government come from the Constitution. |
|
|
Term
| How are the states involved in ratifying amendments? |
|
Definition
If a proposal is made: Three fourths of the states must ratify it. The states have two ways of doing this: by a vote of either the state legislature or by a special state convention. Only one amendment has been ratified by means of a state convention (21st). |
|
|
Term
| Name the five principles of government embodied in the U.S. Constitution. |
|
Definition
1-Popular Sovereignty: power lies with the people 2-Rule of Law: limits power of fed gov and states, everyone must follow laws, no one is above the law. 3-Separation of Powers: three branches 4-Checks & Balances: each branch checks and limits the power of the other branches. 5-Federalism: power is divided between national and state governments. |
|
|
Term
| Establishing schools is a ________ power, according to the Constitution? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| What does Article I outline? |
|
Definition
| The powers of legislative branch, or Congress. The Senate and the House of Representatives will have all the lawmaking authority. |
|
|
Term
| What does Article II outline? |
|
Definition
| The executive branch, or the branch headed by the president and vice-president. It lists the presidents power, including the power to command the armed forces and make treaties. |
|
|
Term
| What does Article III outline? |
|
Definition
| The judicial branch that interprets the laws. It calls for one "supreme court" and other courts deemed necessary. |
|
|
Term
| What does the supremacy clause state? |
|
Definition
| The Constitution and other laws/treaties made by the national government "shall be the supreme Law of the Land". |
|
|
Term
| What is the difference between libel and slander? |
|
Definition
Libel - lies in print Slander (think of speak, slander and speak both start with the letter "s")- lies that are spoken |
|
|
Term
| How did the 9th and 10th amendment limit the power of the government? |
|
Definition
| The 9th makes it clear that citizens have other rights beyond what is listed in the Constitution. The 10th states that federal government is limited only to the powers it is granted in the Constitution. The 10th prevents the president or Congress from becoming too strong. |
|
|
Term
What prevented many African Americans from voting? |
|
Definition
| Poll Taxes - a poll tax was a charge, tax or amount to be able to vote. Many African Americans could not afford it so it prevented them from voting. |
|
|
Term
| How does the 5th amendment help someone accused of a crime? |
|
Definition
A person cannot be indicted without a group of citizens(grand jury).A person who is indicted is not necesarily guilty.It means they may have committed a crime.A citizen cannot be put on trial for the same crime if proven innocent(double jeopardy).Due process(legal procedures)must be followed.It protects eminent domain(private property for public use). |
|
|
Term
| What were the voting amendments? |
|
Definition
15 - no restrictions based on race/color 19- women get to vote 23 - DC gets 3 24 - abolishes poll taxes 26 - voting @ age 18 |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
PROTECTS CIVIL LIBERTIES: R - Religion A - Assembly P - Press P - Petition S - Speech |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| No quartering soldiers during peace time |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| unreasonable search and seizure |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
protects those accused of crimes |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
additional rights to those accused of crimes -trial by jury -speedy and public trial -can call witnesses -jury of peers -a lawyer -lawyer provided if cannot afford |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| lawsuits/disagreements between people about property over $20 |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
-Protects a person from paying excessive fines -no cruel and unusual punishment -punishment for a crime should be fair |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Citizens do have other rights beyond those listed in the Constitution. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Federal government is limited only to the powers it is granted in the Constitution. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| places limits on suits against states |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Procedure for electing president and vice-president |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Guarantees all citizens "equal protection of the laws" |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| prohibits restrictions on the right to vote based on race and color |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| voters elect senators directly |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
|
|
Term
|
Definition
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| changes the dates of congressional and presidential terms (20th of January) |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Repeals Prohibition (18th amendment/alcohol) |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| D.C. gets 3 (residents the right to vote) |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
|
|
Term
|
Definition
establishes procedures for succession to the presidency |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| sets voting age to 18 years |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| delays congressional pay raises until the term following the passage |
|
|
