Term
| Shay's Rebellion (sequence of events) |
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Definition
There was a shortage of money (Congress could make it, but didn't have the materials)
Farmers were ordered to sell their farms to pay their debts
In Massachusetts, they rebelled (led by Daniel Shay)
They closed down courthouses and seized weapons (Jan 1787)
The rebellion was ended |
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Term
| Shay's Rebellion (result) |
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Definition
| Congress called for a convention to consider the situation of the US and to revise the Article of Confederation |
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Term
| Constitutional Convention (delegates) |
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Definition
55 delegates attended (from 12/13 states)
Middle-aged, not-poor, white men
James Madison, George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Gouverneur Morris |
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Term
| Constitutional Convention (who didn't attend) |
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Definition
John Adams and Jefferson didn't attend because they were in England and France, representing America
Patrick Henry, John Hancock, etc didn't want a strong national government: didn't attend
Rhode Island was fiercely independent and didn't attend |
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Term
| Constitutional Convention (when, where, why) |
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Definition
1787
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
In response to Shay's Rebellion and the economic crisis in America |
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Term
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Definition
Most admired and respected man ever
After war ended, lived in Virginia as a normal citizen
Reluctant to return to public life
Voted leader of the convention and made it more popular by supporting it |
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Term
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Definition
Nobody outside the Constitutional Convention could know what's happening
Enforced and supported by Washington |
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Term
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Definition
Government's power should come from people, not states
Three branches with two houses in legislative branch
Amount of representatives that a state can send to Congress depends on population
Strong national government
Legislature has power to collect taxes and enforce own laws |
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Term
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Definition
Government's power should come from states so larger states don't "swallow up" smaller ones
Three branches with one house in legislative branch
Each state has an equal vote in Congress
Weak national government
Legislature has power to collect/levy taxes and regulate trade |
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Term
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Definition
New Jersey and Virginia plans resolve to have a two-part congress
House of Representatives represents people (based on population)
Each state has to representatives in the Senate, represents states |
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Term
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Definition
| Each state has the same number of representatives in Congress |
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Term
| Proportional representation |
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Definition
| Representation in Congress depends on population |
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Term
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Definition
Went too far
Legislature can pass all laws whatsoever
Leaning towards a support of monarchy |
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Term
| Number of Chief Executives argument |
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Definition
Edmund Randolph: three people from different parts of the country
James Wilson: good government needs responsible, clear leadership that's more likely to be found in one person (made people think of a monarchy)
Benjamin Franklin: one so that he's good |
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Term
| Electing the Chief Executive argument |
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Definition
opinions:
People should vote for the president
People would vote for someone from their own state
There should be a group of electors from each state |
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Term
| Electoral College (and why) |
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Definition
Compromise between popular vote and Congress voting
Group of citizens selected by the people to cast votes
People thought that voters wouldn't be able to have enough info on candidates |
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Term
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Definition
Between northerners and southerners (southerners had more slaves and wanted them to count as people so that they would get more representatives)
Each slave counts as 3/5 of a citizen in population counts |
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Term
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Definition
| Escaped slaves must be returned to their owners, no matter which state they're in |
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Term
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Definition
| Congress can control trade but can't tax exports and can't interfere with the slave trade for 20 years |
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Term
| Ratifying the Constitution argument and compromises |
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Definition
How many states? (compromise: 9/13)
Who should ratify? The people or the state legislatures? (Decision: ratified at conventions by delegates elected by people in each state) |
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Term
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Definition
The majority signed it
"Close to perfect"
Sep 17, 1787 |
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Term
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Definition
Believe in strong central government
No slavery
Supported constitution |
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Term
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Definition
No strong central government
Slavery is cool
Didn't want to lose rights and freedoms |
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Term
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Definition
Powers given to Congress by the Constitution
Restricted by amendments
They can regulate commerce, declare war, decide how to spend money, raise an army/navy, pay debts, grant citizenship |
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Term
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Definition
Laws that provide for the infliction of punishment upon a person for some prior act that, at the time it was committed, was not illegal
Prohibited |
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Term
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Definition
| Governing body (legislative branch) empowered by the Constitution can enact laws to promote the general welfare of the people |
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Term
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Definition
The official power to make legal decisions and judgements
Supreme court has original jurisdiction--right to hear any case for the first time |
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Term
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Definition
Trade and other business dealings that cross state lines
Commerce clause lets national government regulate this
All US shares a common market so it's easier to trade goods, have large businesses. |
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Term
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Definition
The system that shares power between state and national governments
Electoral votes, for example
System continues to evolve through laws, amendments, court decisions, etc |
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Term
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Definition
House of Representatives + Senate = two-part/bicameral
Congress can only decide how to spend money, elastic clause gives it flexibility to do its job
For a bill to be approved, both houses have to agree and send it to the President |
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Term
| Checks and Balances (concept) |
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Definition
Enables each branch to limit powers of others
Checks: branches can block powers of others
Balances: each branch has a role in others |
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Term
| Checks and Balances (examples) |
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Definition
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Term
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Definition
Bicameral
Makes laws (anyone can propose one)
House can propose new taxes
Decides how to spend money
Declares war
Can raise an army/navy
Grants citizenship
Pays government debts |
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Term
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Definition
| Enables Congress to make all laws necessary to carry out its other powers |
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Term
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Definition
President and helpers (execute laws)
Lots of departments
Commander in Chief of military
Makes treaties with approval of Senate
Nominates ambassadors and Supreme Court justices
Can grant pardons |
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Term
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Definition
Congress can remove the president or other officials if they break certain rules
Officials go on trial when House votes to impeach them |
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Term
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Definition
Protects constitution
District courts and appellate courts (courts of appeal) can be appealed to Supreme Court
Supreme court: decisions are final and explained in writing, nine justices |
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Term
| Amending the Constitution |
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Definition
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Term
| Necessary and Proper Clause (Supremacy clause) |
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Definition
Don't defy the Constitution or you will pay.
Constitution=supreme law of the land |
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Definition
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