Upgrade to remove ads
Only $2.99/month

Chapter 7

Terms in this set (47)

Problems with the Articles of Confederation
-loose union
-power left to states
-limited central government (weak)
-unanimous vote for changes
-no taxation or enforcement of laws
Purpose of the Land Ordinance of 1785
needed to pay off the governments debt
ordinance
government regulation
Land Ordinance of 1785
set up a standardized system whereby settlers could purchase farmland in the undeveloped west
-land was surveyed and measured
-MN, Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Illinois
Northwest Ordinance of 1787
New states created out of Northwest territory
-included a Bill of Rights
-no slavery in these states
Bill of Rights
First 10 amendments to the Constitution
-describes and guarantees our rights and freedom
Shay's Rebellion
Rebellion led by Daniel Shays of farmers in western Massachusetts in 1786-1787
-protesting mortgage foreclosures
Importance of Shays Rebellion
-Showed how weak the government was
-highlighted the need for a strong national government
-control the people
Constitutional Convention
A meeting in Philadelphia in 1787 that produced a new constitution
-called to revise the Articles and solve issues between the states
-"Founding Fathers" or "Framers"
"Founding Fathers" or "Framers"
term given to the men assembled to make changes
"If men were angels, no government would be needed"
-James Madison
-If people were good and did what they were supposed to do, we wouldn't need these laws
Virginia Plan
-"Large state" proposal for the new constitution
-plan favored larger states and thus prompted smaller states to come back with their own plan for apportioning representation
-proposal to create a strong national government
New Jersey Plan
-"Small state" plan
-proposing equal representation by state, regardless of population, in a unicameral (one house) legislature
-Small states feared that the more populous states would dominate in other plan
comprimise
an agreement resolving differences
-give a little to get something
House of Representatives
based on population (large state)
Senate
equal representation (small state)
-2 per state
The Great Compromise
-compromise was between the large and small states of the colonies
-resolved that there would be representation by population in the House of Representatives, and equal representation would exist in the Senate
-Each state would have 2 senators
-combined the needs of both large and small states and formed a fair and sensible resolution to their problems
bicameral
Two house legislature
3/5 Compromise
-each slave would count for 3/5 of a person for taxation and representation purposes
-slave trade allowed until 1808 controlled by Congress
Magna Carta
-limited the King's power
-English people had certain rights that could not be taken away
Petition of Right
people could not be taxed without the consent of Parliament
English Bill of Rights
right to bear arms, no cruel and unusual punishment, trial by jury
period of Enlightenment
-1700s
-promoted knowledge, reason, and science as a means to improve society
John Locke (philosopher)
-people have natural rights that can not be taken (life, liberty, property)
-representative gov't
De Montesquieu (philosopher)
-powers of the government should be separated and balanced
Federal System
power is divided between the state and federal governments
Federal Power
-regulate trade and tax
-control currency
-raise an army
-declare war
-protect borders
State Power
-pass and enforce laws
-regulate trade within its borders
-schools
-license, marriage, traffic laws
compromise
an agreement resolving differences
-give a little to get something
"Supreme Law of the Land"
no state can make law or take action against the Constitution
Legislative Branch
-makes laws
-Congress (House of Representatives and the Senate)
Executive Branch
-enforces laws
-President
Judicial Branch
-interprets laws
-supreme court
Electoral College
system used to elect the president and the vice president
-538 electoral votes
Checks and Balances
each branch of government is restrained by the other two
Anti-Federalists
believed there was too much power in federal gov't, loss of states rights and freedoms
Federalists
believed in a strong national gov't, power needed for unity in country
Federalist Papers
persuasive speech to sign the constitution and support the gov't
-very influential
ratification
Formal approval
why didn't New York, Virginia, Massachusetts sign the constitution immediately?
no guarantee of rights that were fought for
amendment
A change to the Constitution
-27 total
Bill or Rights
First 10 amendments to the Constitution
-describes and guarantees our rights and freedom
Why were the Bill of Rights added to the Constitution?
-needed to guarantee ratification
-secure and guarantee rights and freedoms
due process
treated fairly and according to law
Elastic Clause (Necessary and Proper Clause)
grants Congress the power to do whatever is necessary to execute its specifically delegated powers
-need for LAW, Congress can make it
citizen
a person who owes loyalty to and is entitled to the protection of a state or nation
naturalization
the process of becoming a citizen
THIS SET IS OFTEN IN FOLDERS WITH...