AP GOV Unit 1 – Flashcards

Form a more perfect union Establish justice Insure domestic tranquility Provide for the common defense Promote the general welfare Secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity

an institution through which a society makes and enforces its public policies and is made up of those people who exercise its powers. It includes all those who have authority and control over a define area.

all those tasks/actions a government decides to do

A body of organized people in a defined territory and boundaries having power to make and enforce law without the consent of a higher authority.

possessing supreme and absolute power within its own boundaries over 190 countries today and each is sovereign within its boarders

-most common form -all governmental power is administered by only one government in that country. power is centralized at this one place -The one central government controls lesser political entities. Power is not shared between states, countries or provinces although power can be delegated. -(does not tell you who rules, it can be a dictatorship or democracy) -the united states is not an example of a unitary form of government there are over two hundred government in the united states. we are most concerned with national government but we have 50 state governments. All politics is local. Each state has a unitary form of government that delegates to the counties and county seats. -example of unitary government is: France, Spain, California alone, China -no national police force—each state has police force, FBI is not involved in crimes at state level -centrals government directs power down to political units and states in a unitary form

power is shared between two or more government in one country -there are two types of Dual Government -Two types of dual government: Federal/Federation and Confederal/Confederate

-A confederate form of dual government is when the state/local government has more of the governing power than the central of national government -confederate states of America failed—states rights vs nation union, who has the power. -United Nations cannot exist -The UN is as close to a confederacy as it gets -states can choose to follow or not follow the lead of the weak central government -confederation: power flows up from states to central government

-A federal form of dual government is where the national government has more of the governing power than the states but the state are given considerable self rule, usually through their own elected legislatures -The United States, Australia, the Federal Republic of Germany -a concurrent power- a power given to both national and state (taxes and healthcare)

Knowing the political system of a country tells you who rules that country. Tells you who his sovereign. Autocracy, Oligarchy, Democratic Centralism, Aristocracy, Theocracy, Democracy

Rule by one—totalitarian—authoritarian—dictatorship—absolute monarch

rule by a small group, communist countries (20/30 people ruled day to day activities)

-government assumes what the true interests of people are -china's real name is the democratic republic of china (but is not a democratic nation) -the communist countries/dictatorships have this type of "democracy" -Flaw - usually totalitarian, who really knows what the interests in the people are?

-ruled by the rich/upper class -early US was a democratic aristocracy

-ruled by religious group

-Rule by the majority of the people there are two types of democracy (Direct/pure democracy and Indirect/Representative Democracy)

-the majority of all the people make and enforce laws, no officials -Flaws— the majority will overpower/be tyrant, too many opinions, not efficient or practical, only small communities that can do it: found in small towns in England, impractical, Demagoguery (use of people's hates and fears against them) may be possible -unwise decisions based on self interest often not in the public's interests

-rule by the majority of the people through their elected representatives who make and enforce the laws for all -A republican form of political system -America is a true Republic -Flaws— Officials often are reluctant to act in the public interest if unpopular, Sometimes they are unresponsive or very slow to the public will, Serves special interests over the will of the people, entitlements and social security are tough issues—needs to be addressed but politicians are scared to address it because it will start uprising

ESSAY ALERT: Part 1: Characteristics of a True Democracy (4) 1) Individual liberty: the individual should be as free as possible to develop his or her talents with few governmental limits on expression -liberty means free from government control but no liberty is absolute you have a lot of liberties but no liberty is absolute, freedom of speech but you can't cause harm, can't yell fire in a theater -The government works to foster equal opportunity and equality before the law regardless of race, religion, gender, creed or national origin -this is our ideal -The importance of the individual's productive and intellectual growth is of primary importance -mention what individual liberty in a true democratic democracy is all about 2) Majority Rules with Minority Rights -Elected legislatures should reflect the will of the majority of the people but there is a cover for the possible tyranny of the majority -tyranny: oppressive harsh rule, slavery is an example, founding fathers did not agree with tyranny -Minority rights must be protected by law through Constituents, Bill of Right Common law and Statutes/Legislation -all the freedoms in the 1st amendment protects the freedom on the minority 3) Free Elections -Every person's vote weighs the same no matter their status -One person, one vote. The individual is free to support candidates of their choice. In this way it ensures that government officials pay attention to the voters views for their jobs -there is a minimum requirement for running office and voting—this is called Universal Suffrage -before in 1790, you had to be male, white, 21, aristocratic, religious qualification, owning property, but these were all taken out -Elections should be held frequently at polling places near where you live -every 2 years, don't have to drive so far away to go vote causing people to feel more inclined to vote 4) Competing Political Parties -This makes elections meaningful and gives voters a choice of public policy direction -The part that is "out" of power acts as a "watchdog" to the party that is "in" power. -The necessity of compromise is very important in a democracy -because we have grid lock we must compromise, the constiution is a bundle of compromise Part 2: Conditions that provide good soil for a democracy to grow and flourish. 1)Active Citizens Participation: -Often called a participatory democracy, citizens are encourages to be proactive int he ruling of the nation -Voting, serving on juries, working on campaigns, running for office, serving on citizen review boards, carrying a picket sign, writing your congressperson, writing letters to the local newspaper editor and just giving your political opinions to anybody who will listen are some examples of active participation. And follow the news 2) Citizen Organizations -Citizen groups should be free from government control. Many of these groups may try influencing government policy by various forms of lobbying. The Sierra Club, NRA, religious organizations, Red Cross, etc. are but a few examples. They may be partisan (for), bipartisan (for both sides), or non-partisan (neutral). -partisan: an advocate for one party -bipartisan: an advocate for both sides -non-partisan: an advocate for neither, neutral 3) A Favorable Economy -There should be no extreme gaps between the rich and the poor of a country. -because of rebellion, because of an elite few and a major poor there will be an uprising to overthrow government -A country with a large middle class is desirable. -In Russia1917, the poor worked in terrible condition while the elite had luxury. the poor people were mad and asked for more money and the elite said no. this is dangerous. the bolsheviks arranged a group and destroyed the elite -Ideal: you will have your rich and you will have your poor but you need a large middle class to act as a buffer -A healthy economy that encourages free enterprise(start a business) helps allow people to make economic choices that aid their political choices. -you make economic decisions to make only you are going to make when starting a business, Mio China: couldn't make economic decisions, now in China there are billionaire Chinese 4) A Favorable Economy -A well educated citizenry is very important to democracy—Jefferson -China has a larger GPA because more time in school -Educated people make better decisions while ignorant people can be easily mislead by demagogues. -A demagogue- is a person that uses people's hates and fears to gain power 5) Widespread Social Consensus -Consensus:A general agreement on basic principals -Societies with widespread disagreements about basic values have difficulties supporting a democracy. -free education, bill of rights,....things everyone can agree on no matter what part you are a part of

-Both democracy -Israel: parliamentary system -in parliamentary system the legislative and executive are combined -prime minister is the leader of the party -America: Legislative, executive and Judicial branch

President has a lot of power. Separate branches and checks and balances are characteristics of this kind of leadership democracy. -president initiates agenda -US Gov

Executive and legislative branches are combined. The leader of the majority elected political party becomes the Prime Minister who enforces the law. -The UK is referred to as a constitutional monarchy -the prime minister vote on legislation where Obama would not - the legislative and executive are combined

The U.S. political system is composed of groups, representing competing interests. The existences of such groups indicates that the government allows sufficient access to policymaking thus the interests of the public may be more widely represented in government. Power is decentralized so that no one body or group has too much influence. -power comes from outside-in -Madison called them factions: like an interest group or political party

Government favors only a narrow percentage of the public, primarily the wealthy. Wealth is directly proportional to political influence. There may be many political groups, but the distribution of government resources among them is not necessarily equal. The more wealth and influence a group has, the more it benefits from the government. "Class warfare." Non-elite groups do not have equal access to policymaking like the elite groups have. Big businesses (the special interests) play a prominent role in politics because corporations that have a lot of money also have a lot of power. -money=power=political influence

The proliferation of political groups and the growth of media outlets has weakened the government. With so many interests vying for political influence, power is decentralized, and ultimately policies and policy making become muddled and therefore less effective. Gridlock, stalemate, inaction an ensue often happens -thousands of politic groups

-it is all three -hyper pluralist-want to shut down government over planned parenthood -Pluralist-relates to checks and balances

-1607 sight of the first english settlement -Jamestown Island = where America began -a business group started Jamestown -Virginia house of burgess was the first elected legislature in america (body that makes law and is elected by the voters) which made laws for the colony 1619 -House of Burgesses was then moved to Williamsburg -first law was tobacco tax

-separatists were being persecuted by the church of England so wanted to leave -they came on Mayflower and signed the mayflower compact on 1620 -was not a constitution, did not set up a government -put self government in print -we will rule ourselves and abide by the majority -set up a democracy -did not believe in religious freedom (Puritans) -it was in print, we want things written down (Britain does not have a written constitution) -majority rule was put into print, self government -Pilgrims set elements of: individualism - desire for self-government - pursuit of opportunity - commitment to equality of opportunity, freedom of religion - economic liberty -first written constitution was written in 1639 called The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut (sets up and explains the role/framework of a government) -By the revolutionary war all states wrote constitutions (all states all have constitutions today)

The moral, political, and ethical philosophy of life that emphasizes individual rights, effort, and independence Emphasizes the importance of individual rights, worth, freedom, and well-being Individualism is central to democracy - each person has one vote and ability to own property

The belief that the authority and legitimacy of government is based on the consent and authority of the individuals living within its boundaries The ultimate political authority rests with the people and that the people can create, alter, or abolish government Currently exercised through representative institutions such as Congress or local decision-making bodies with popularly elected members The notion that individuals have rights - political and economical Individuals must be responsible enough to participate in the governing process or else the system ceases to function Government by the people is both a right and a responsibility

all individuals, regardless of race, gender, of circumstance, have the opportunity to participate in politics, self-government, and the economy

the belief that individuals living in a society should be free to exercise their personal religious convictions without government restrictions Requires that there be no religious test for public office and that there be no national church

belief that individuals should be allowed to pursue their economic self-interest without government restrictions In this new world, individuals can shape their own destinies Government should have limited involvement in regulating the economy Individuals are free to pursue their own self-interests and be rewarded for their innovations no more feudal system of mercantilism it is possible in American because of our resource advantages: high levels of income, natural resources and economic growth

power to sign and veto bills, power to conduct foreign relations, wage war, most appointments are made by president, can appoint judges

shares in the executive power by providing money but spending is done by the executive branch, has power to ratify treaties and provide declarations for war, must ratify president's appointments

can check both of the other branches of being Constitutional

Drawn from Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address "Of the people"- the people govern the people, average people, diversity "By the people"-the people are engaged in their self-government, they are elected not born into it and can make a difference in their communities "For the people"- government exists for the good of the people, to aid and protect them

believed in the common sense of people and in the possibilities of the human spirit - the people themselves are the only safe repositories of government - popular control - representative processes - accountable leadership- but even the power of the people must be restrained from time to time

an election in which voters choose party nominees

a procedure whereby a certain number of voters may, by petition, propose a law or constitutional amendment and have it submitted to the voters

procedure for submitting to popular vote measures passed by the legislature or proposed amendments to a state constitution

a procedure for submitting to popular vote the removal of officials from office before the end of their term

set of arrangements, including check and balances, federalism, separation of powers, rule of law, due process, and a bill of rights, that requires our leaders to listen, think, bargain, and explain before they act or make laws. We then hold them politically and legally accountable for how they exercise their powers.

the rights of all people to dignity and worth Government must be limited and controlled because it was a threat to rights

widely shares beliefs, values, and norms citizens hold about their relationship to government and to one another Behaviors includes fundamental decisions as who may participate in political decisions, what rights and liberties citizens have, how political decisions are made, and what people think about politicians and government generally

Liberty is our number one preference The essence of liberty is "self-determination" - all individuals must have the opportunity to realize their own goals Liberty is a person's freedom and capacity to reach his/her goals

Belief that every person has the potential for common sense, rationality, fairness Individuals must have important rights, the source of all governmental authority and power

idea that the rights of the nation are supreme over the rights for the individuals who make up the nation (i.e. China, Vietnam, Cuba)

Political equality - idea that every individual has a right to equal protection under the law and equal voting power Equal opportunity - social background, race, gender, or religion should not limit our opportunity to achieve the best of our ability

complex set of ideas that holds that the United States is a land of opportunity where individual initiative and hard work can bring economic success

an economic system based on private property, competitive markets, economic incentives, and limited government involvement in the production, pricing, and distribution of goods and services Freedom depends on capitalism issue in America: unequal distribution of property although everyone has a right to it gap between rich and poor Most people agree that some governmental intervention is necessary to assist those who fall short in the competition for education and economic prosperity - government assistance

the idea that a just government must derive its powers from the consent of the people it governs

Elections are held at intervals frequent enough to make them relevant to policy choices Elections are one of the most important devices for keeping officials and representatives accountable to the voters "Political competition and choice" are crucial to the existence of democracy Free and fair elections may not grant everyone equal political influence, but they are equal in voting power

governance according to the expressed preferences of the majority

candidate or party that wins more than half the votes cast in an election

the candidate or party with the most votes cast in an election, not necessarily more than half Democracies often function by plurality rule (candidate with most votes wins)

Competing non-government-owned newspapers, radio stations, and television stations must be allowed to flourish in order for voters to have access to facts. Competing ideas, and the views of candidates

Citizens must be free to organize for political purposes Individuals can only be more affective if they join a pressure group, protest movement, or a demonstration Individuals have the right to form opposition parties and have the chance to defeat incumbents

The "rule of law" means government is based on a body of laws applied equally and by just procedures, as opposed to arbitrary rule by an elite group Americans believe strongly in fairness - everyone is entitled to the same legal rights and protections 1)Generality: laws should be stated generally and not single out any group or individual 2)Prospectively: Laws should apply to the present and the future, not punish something someone did in the past 3)Publicity: Laws cannot be kept secret and then enforced 4)Authority: Valid laws are made by those with legitimate power, and the people legitimate that power through some form of popular consent 5)Due Process: Laws must be enforced impartially with fair processes

1 Federalism: division of powers between the national and state governments 2 Separation of Powers: among the executive, judicial, and legislative branches 3 Bicameralism: division of legislative power between the House of Representatives and the Senate 4 Checks & Balances: each branch is given the constitutional means - political independence & motives to check the powers of the other branches so that a relative balance of power between the branches endures 5 Bill of Rights: a judicially, enforceable, written, explicit document that provides a guarantee of individual liberties and due process before the law

Educational Conditions (The exercise of voting privileges requires and educated citizenry) Economic Conditions (Freedom to make economic choices) Social Conditions (don't have to identify completely with a single group) Ideological Conditions (Through education and experience, Americans develop acceptance) Stability (National prosperity, education, and literacy lead to success)

a condition for democracy is that the people widely share a set of attitudes and beliefs about governmental procedures, institutions, core documents and fundamental values

-British crown: owns colony and appoints governor -Royal governor - appointed by the crown, oversaw colonial trade, had final approval on laws, could dismiss colonial assembly, veto power -Council - appointed by the governor, advisory board to governor, acted as highest court in each colony -Colonial Assembly (Legislature - lawmaking body) - elected by eligible colonists, made laws, had authority to tax, paid governor's salary

-William Penn: established Pensilvania for Quakers -Legislature was elected but deferred to the proprietor who rented or sold his land -Act of Toleration 1649 - established religious freedom in America (Maryland made for catholics-for every catholic there were three Protestant so to protect themselves they made freedom of religion)

-Lord Baltimore - Proprietor of Maryland - Maryland Act of Toleration - Catholics in Maryland produced this document in order to express their tolerance of Christian religions, mostly made to protect themselves -Charter Colonies - Connecticut and Rhode Island - both the governor and the legislator were elected - two regions with the "most free and democratic places on earth" -Royal + Proprietor + Charter

because they represent the people and they were doing the peoples will. But the governor had to preform the Kings unpopular will

1) Trial by impartial jury of your peers came from England 2) Being innocent until proven guilty came from England 3) Colonial courts helped establish freedoms/liberties we have today Ex. John Peter Zenger Trial 1735: NY weekly newspaper and in a series of articles he criticized the governor of NY and the governor sentenced Zenger to jail & Andrew Hamilton defends Zenger --- catalyst for freedom of press and freedom of speech in terms of truth -way before Bill of Rights and revolution -was the editor of New York weekly -said bad things about governor (William Cosby) appointed in England by the king to be governor of New York in a year -take a while to get there and when he got there Cosby said he wanted to be paid ever since the month he was appointed not from when he got there and Zenger published that he should not be -he also tried to rig an election ballet box stuffing -so Cosby put in him jail -hired a lawyer Hamilton and Hamilton went to the jury and said he is guilty: he wrote those articles but it was his opinion, this caused freedom of speech and expression and press. As long as you speak the truth you are protected.

thought that being united is a better defense against the Indians and French - Northern colonies would have on government but the states weren't ready to unite -united against common foe but this plan died -he said join or die—if you are separate like the snake you will die if you join together you will win -states were not ready to join

1754-1763 - No more "benign neglect" once the war was over -The results of the French and Indian war changed the relationships between England and her colonies which leads to the Revolutionary War (1775) -King George III = last king of England -Lord Fredrick North = last prime minister

This forbid the settlement west of this line a line was drawn and no colonial can pass that line into the British area restriction of settlement on appellation mountains some broke the rules British wanted to make peace treaties with the native americans also British wanted to keep colonists near the cost because easier to control

first direct tax on the colonies by the British Parliament tax on all things printed, receipts, contracts A direct tax on the colonies to help Britain pay their debt for the French and Indiana War No taxation without representation was a law passed which imposed a tax on all American colonists. It required them to pay a tac on every piece of printed paper they used required all legal documents licenses... to carry a tax the money collect was to be used to help pay the costs of the British solider who were in America protecting the frontier they boycotted

-in 1765 when the stamp act was put into place it was James Otis who came up with the term "No taxation without representation" -he started the revolution in the form of this protest phrase -meaning: British don't have right to tax if Americans don't have say in government. Americans don't have representatives in the parliament. America did not vote for the Legislature who creates laws, therefore the legislature does not represent them. The Virginia House of Burgess 1619 was the Legislature. -People of Britain elected Parliament who makes the tax laws for people 3 thousand miles away. No DIRECT representation -There were Stamp Act Riots and boycotts, tax collectors were tarred with feathers and run out of town. It worked. It is directly hurting the Births Merchants -the merchants and parliaments were connected so it effected each other -merchants told parliament to repeal the stamp act -yay everyone is happy -British still needed money so needed to do a new tax -other taxation such as Townsend- boycott-repealed

professional revolutionary - continued James Otis' works professional revolutionary does not require a majority to prevail but rather an irate tireless minority to set brush fire in people's mind started the sons of liberty: alkyda of its day, terriorist group that had the tea party against Britain

restricted colonial trade with all counties except Great Britain. This legislation hoped to enforce the economic philosophy of mercantilism. laws passed in 1600s but not informed after Indian war there was salutary neglect: British left them alone naviation acts were then inforced after indian war they could buy stuff from Dutch for cheaper than britian so they tried to smuggle like john hancock in america when a smuggler was tried they were set free so they decided to try them in GB

A colony exists to serve the mother county

established by Sam Adams - the means of sending information to population, a communication network committtees would send letters to 18 diff direction about unfair things that the british did to upset you

one of the items British were taxing was tea & the tea act tried to trick the colonists into paying tax but there was not taxation without representation so tea was boycotted, the British hid the tea tax thinking that the people would not notice, and as a result there was the Boston Tea party rum and tea were the two staples for drinks did not have good sanitation in water so when drank water they died but they boiled water to make tea and rum which caused them to be fine boiling the water made it clean: they though these drinks were the medicine they imported dutch cheap green tea bc cheaper than british tea to boycott they wanted them to buy tea so they lowered the tea cost to 7 dollars and put a tax of two dollar for a total of 9 which is less expensive than the dutch tea however Adams was not fooled because there was still a tax—there was taxation without representation

-the sons of Liberty loosly dressed as Indians (everyone knew who they were) and went on a Biritish tea ship and threw over millions of dollars of tea and destroyed property -most famous because they destroyed property instead of just blocking ships and was colony wide

In response to tea party The port of Boston was closed Massachusetts was placed under martial (military) law/rule A Quartering Act got all the colonies, civlians house troops from britian Colonial meetings were banned in Massachusetts People in other places were upset because it could easily happen to them too. If they can do it in Massachusetts they can do it here. reaction; First Continental Congress 1774

met in Carpenter's Hall (a carpenters guild in Philadelphia 12 representative states, everyone that was big met each other for the first time, first continental congress and they decided to boycott all british goods—before it was all voluntary—now it was going to be enforced—it was a law—it is becoming the American government—revolutionary government) — several of the forefathers met for the first time - discussed problems with the Intolerable Acts and Great Britain, organized a boycott for all British goods and the boycott would then be enforced (making a law and then enforcing it a.k.a - role of the government) - serves as a traitor act against Great Britain

- first battle response: more troops to Boston and other colonies -the minutemen were trained (infancy of US army—continental army) -minute men were called on the Lexington Green (first shots of revolutionary war) partial 19, 1775 right outside Boston.

met in Pennsylvania State House now known as Independence Hall in Philadelphia -was the first American government (the first was only there for like 3 weeks) -when all 13 colonies/states met and this was the seat of the colonies during the revolutionary war, the capital moved like 5 times -John Hancock was the president of the 2nd Continental Congress (like the speaker of the house) 1 man wanted my british -A year after lexington and concord, Richard Henry lee said he wanted the states to declare their independence, degliate from Virgina -Hancock says wait we have to explain ourselves so let have a committee, there was a declaration committee which explained why we were rebelling against britian -thomas jeff, john adams, sherman, ben franklen, robert livinston -jefferson was the best writer so he wrote it (author) -he borrowed a lot from John Locke from his book :Two Treatises of Government -had theories of popular sovereignty

Adopted July 4, 1776 July 2 is when the Congress voted on Independence but July 4 is when the document was actually adopted Pennsylvania State House - now known as Independence Hall Philadelphia, PA - the Declaration of Independence & Constitution was adopted and voted on in this location John Hancock - President of the Continental Congress The Declaration committee consisted of Franklin, Jefferson, and Adams The purpose of the Declaration of Independence was to convince the loyalist and unsure people of the necessity for independence + justify and legalizing the revolution Jefferson and Adams both signed the Declaration of Independence The Liberty Bell in front of liberty hall- crack is symbolic that we have flaws in our liberty right of the people to abolish government it destructive: legalizing the revolution We are now called United States of America: declaration declared our name -separate but equal state -God is in this document -all men are to be created equal___but tom Jefferson had slaves! -slaves are property -Men were created equal and slaves and women were not part of this BUT we changed the meaning of this, Gettysburg address changed the meaning of this line: we have a new birth of freedom -unalienable rights: life, liberty and pursuit of happiness (locke said life liberty and property—stole from him!) it is our talents and goals that separate us—but we are create equal -independence was signed on july 2 actually

written in 1777 by the Continental Congress Ratified in 1781 - serves as the first Constitution of the U.S. real name is Articles of Confederation and perpetual union between states (a constitution written in 1777 and ratified in 1781—took so long because conflict and arguments over western land—Connecticut claimed land through new York and others claimed other spaces—they later gave up the claims) the revolutionary war was raging at this time when the war was over problems emerged from war

All states had written constitutions and bills of rights - all had... representative + democracy -a republic - separation of church and state - all had suspicion of concentrated political power (each state had more rights then federal gov't—made it because were scared a a large central gov't would be like Britain—during war didn't need to be so strong) The central government could not levy direct taxes on the people So, the central government had to ask the states for money (some revenue did come in from the sale of land) so there was favoritism to those who gave them more money Therefore the central government was more responsive to those states that gave them money and ignoring the other states and their needs The national confederation government could not regulate interstate and foreign commerce (trade and business) Each state coined and printed their own money including the central government. 14 money systems! the continental dollar was not worth anything! It was hard to pass national legislation because it required 2/3 majority vote from the 13 voting states Each state had only one vote in Congress regardless of population There was no president to enforce the law (a law is only as strong as its enforcement) There was no national court system to settle disputes between the states It was very difficult to amend the A of C. Unanimous consent from the state legislatures was required. (rhode island said no and the amendment failed bc didn't want central gov to power the tax)

had no quorum (not enough people—2/3 of memberish) to conduct official business, so they sent a message to everyone to meet next summer after the peace treaty with britian was signed they decided to meet to talk about the problems of the confederation they wrote letters saying lets meet next summer and it didn't work

1786 - 1787 - Shay led a group of farmers that complained about not having enough money to pay the taxes...land was being foreclosed, they burnt courthouse with tax records this changed peoples minds and forced them to want to go to the meeting and fix the problems of the confederation Massachusetts told central gov they needed help putting it down but the central govt was weak which caused them to realize they needed a stronger one -Central government did not have enough power to control this small rebellion

summer of 1787 - when the constitutional convention was written in Independence Hall - the elite of the nation was in this convention everyone came instead of rhode island met for 17 weeks in independence hall Philadelphia, Pennsylvania everyone there were white elite educated wealthy Americans

-John Adams was the first U.S. Ambassador to Great Britain and the Court of St. James -Thomas Jefferson was the first U.S. Ambassador to France

Delegate who attended the Constitutional Convention delegate from Virginia and President of the Constitutional Convention -he was a super star because he kept the revolution going -he rarely smiled because his teeth were made of ivory tusks -sat at really cool (rising sun) chair

Delegate who attended the Constitutional Convention delegate from Pennsylvania that attended the Constitutional Convention -he drank a lot so washinton made sure he didn't blab

Delegate who attended the Constitutional Convention delegate from New York -illegitament child

Delegate who attended the Constitutional Convention delegate from Connecticut was on committee -the author of the Connecticut compromise

Delegate who attended the Constitutional Convention delegate from New Jersey & presented the New Jersey plan

Delegate who attended the Constitutional Convention delegate from Virginia & father of the Bill of Rights

Delegate who attended the Constitutional Convention delegate from Virginia & author of the Virginia Plan & father of the Constitution

-Three great ideas that were incorporated in the constitution by Madison's Virginia Plan 1) Separation of powers (legislative and judicial branch) 2) Bicameralism 3) Checks & balances (power to each branch so non dominate) -Other ideas that were not included 1) Legislature would chose the executive and judicial branches (not good idea: too much power to legislature) 2) House and Senate membership would be based on the state's population (smalls states would outnumber the big states) -thought a state with more people should have more power than one with less people -the more people the more representatives in the house and senate -favoring largely populated states (NY PEN VIR MASS) -would constantly overpower the small and the small hated it

Unicameral Legislature: each state one vote Several members in the executive branch This basically just amends the constitution

-Everyone gets equal representation -435 members of the house of representatives today 2015 (only 100 for small) -all the states have equal amounts of senators (2) 3/5 Compromise -Regarding slaves -wanted to count them for state population in the house—the south -the north said no they cant be counted -so the slave is 3/5th of a person -the south gained power bc of slaves leading to civil war Presidential Term and the Electoral College -A group of men from each state would select the president -decided on one executive per every 4 years (the middle) and can be reelected -house 2 year term -senate 6 year term -original intent that the electoral college would be a group of wise people who voted on the president -too much power in people's hands -original intent: who ever got the most electoral vote would be president and whoever got the second largest is the VP -today people vote on the electoral college -only the house of representatives would be voted on by the people (not the senate, or president or the sc) this shows a distrust in democracy -now: when we vote we are voting for the electoral college Supremacy Clause -The constitution is the supreme law of the land

the convention ended on septemebr 14 -ben franklen address the convention -he says she looks at Washington's chair and the rising sun on it and just like the consitituion and the new laws i know it will be a rising sun The Rising Sun Chair -Benjamin Franklin renamed the Chair -Artifact of American history, where George Washington sat

ratify the constitution or not?

the Constitution would be ratified by elected conventions by 9 of the 13 states, not the State legislatures key: elected conventions (the people elect a convention in all the states) the people would debate not unanimous consent only 9 the states had to give up their power: elected conventions would decide Delaware was the first state to ratify the consitution the last state was new hamptsure virigna and new york hasn't ratified it yet and it wouldn't be a country without

Anti-Federalist - no bill o

Hamilton, Madison and John Jay The federalists is a book of articles to convince new yorkers to ratify the constitution A Hamilton: none of his ideas were put into the constitution :( he wanted to do away with the states and create a unitary government so he joined the federalist (explained the necessity for the Constitution) Anti federalists didn't want a large powerful centural government that would be created, prez would be commander in chief—it lacked a bill of rights must state rights on paper or else it will be taken away Federalits said it was not necessary but okay fine if you ratify the constitution we will make a bill of rights

wanted by anti-federalists The Bill of Rights are the first ten amendments to the Constitution ratified in 1791 2/3 house rep votes 3/4 of state legislature (38 states)