Term
| Articles of Confederation |
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Definition
First constitutional government of the U.S.
1781-1789
Gave the states too much power, federal gov't very little
Alliance of independent nations (states) |
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Definition
1215
Feudal rights and limiting power |
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Definition
1620
Contractual Government |
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Definition
1630-1732
Charters authorizing the colonies |
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Term
| Declaration of Independence |
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Definition
1776
Created the framework for a new nation and its government |
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Term
| Five Sectors of Colonial Society |
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Definition
New England Merchants
Southern Planters
Royalists
Shopkeepers, Artisans and Laborers
Small Farmers |
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Term
| Who wrote the Declaration of Independence? |
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Definition
| Thomas Jefferson was the principal author |
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Term
| Which philosopher heavily influenced the Declaration of Independence |
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Definition
| John Locke (social contract theory) |
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Term
| What is the purpose of the Declaration of Independence? |
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Definition
Outlines purpose of government
Lists act committed by the king that delegitimize british rule
Declares that the people have the right to revolt
Declares Independence from British rule |
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Term
| Articles of Confederation |
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Definition
States hold most power, weak national government
Created first constitutional government
Why it sucked:
Inability to tax further weakened federal gov't
Trade wars erupted between states
Inflation resulted from each state printing its own money |
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Term
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Definition
1786
Convened to discuss solution to the crisis created by the Articles of Confederation
Weak turnout, members agreed to meet in Philadelphia to discuss revising the Articles of Confederation |
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Definition
Debtors' revolt
Demonstrated need for stronger central government |
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Term
| Constitutional Convention |
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Definition
May 1787
Delegates represented the elite in American Society
Charles Beard argues the constitution reflects an interest to protect economic power (the elite)
Representation was the most hotly contested issue (virginia vs new jersey plans)
Resulted in the "Great Compromise", bicameral legislature |
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Term
| Name the three branches of US government |
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Definition
Legislative
Judicial
Executive |
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Term
| Describe the Virginia Plan |
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Definition
Number of representatives to national gov't based on population
Favored states with larger populations |
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Term
| Describe the New Jersey Plan |
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Definition
Equal number of representatives to national gov't for every state
Favored states with smaller populations |
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Term
| Describe the Connecticut Plan |
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Definition
| Also known as the "great compromise", suggested a bicameral congress, House of Reps with Virginia Plan, and the Senate with the New Jersey Plan |
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Term
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Definition
| Every 5 slaves counted as 3 people for determining as state's representation in the House of Representatives. Slaves of course not allowed to vote. |
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Term
| How many members in the House of Representatives? |
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Definition
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Term
| How many members in the Senate? |
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Definition
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Term
| Describe the election term for House Representatives |
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Definition
2-year term
100% of seats up for re-election every 2 years
Always elected by the people |
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Term
| Describe the election term for Senators |
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Definition
6-year term
2 members per state
1/3 seats up for re-election every 2 years
Initially chosen by state legislators, 17th amendment provided for direct election by the people |
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Term
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Definition
Reserve Powers Clause
aka the Elastic Clause
Gives fed government "all powers necessary and proper" to carry out enumerated powers. |
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Term
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Definition
| Upholds constitutionality of the "necessary and proper" clause, *and* the "supremacy clause" (article 6) |
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Term
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Definition
Creates the presidency (executive branch)
Elected through electoral college which insulates the office from Congress and the masses. |
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Term
| How many Electoral College votes are needed to win the presidency? |
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Definition
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Definition
Creates the supreme court
Judges appointed by the President with the consent of the Senate
Judicial review not mentioned |
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Definition
| Established the US court system |
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Term
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Definition
| Established Judicial review |
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Term
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Definition
| The doctrine under which legislative and/or executive actions are subject to review (and possible invalidation) by the judiciary branch |
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Definition
Full faith and credit clause
Acts and laws of one state shall be recognized by all states |
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Definition
Supremacy Clause
Laws of the US are the supreme laws of the land and supercede state laws |
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Definition
First 10 amendments to the Constitution
Provide Civil Liberties, which protect us from our government
Persueded Anti-Federalists to sign on to the constitution |
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| Treat all groups the same |
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Definition
Wanted direct democracy
Feared branches not directly elected |
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Term
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Definition
| Wanted representative democracy |
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Term
| How many amendments have been added to the constitution since the Bill of Rights? |
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Definition
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| How many amendments are there to the constitution in total? |
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Definition
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Term
| How were slaves referred to in the constitution? |
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Definition
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Term
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Definition
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Term
| What are powers that are shared between the Federal and State and Governments called? |
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Definition
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