AP U.S. Government Chapter 2
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What were the major grievances of the colonists under British rule?
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• taxation without representation • direct representation
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What were the major components of John Locke's political philosophy?
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• Limited Governments • Natural Rights • Consent of the Governed
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What would of the American a government been like under the Articles of Confederation?
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• confederation of states with a powerless national government • one state = one vote • no executive branch • no judicial branch •congress would have no power to tax or regulate interstate commerce
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Why did the Articles of Confederation fail?
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There was no national government and it created economic turmoil
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Describe the general philosophical views of the founding fathers on the following issues: Human Nature Political Conflict Objectives of Government Nature of Government
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Human Nature: self interested Political Conflict: leads to factions Objectives of Government: protect your property Nature of Government: sets power against power so that no one faction rises above
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What were the three major equality issues at the Constitutional a convention? How were they resolved?
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• States Equally Represented (Connecticut Compromise) • Slavery (3/5 Compromise) • Equality of Voting (decided to leave those issues to the states)
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What were the major economic problems addressed at the Constitutional Convention? How were they resolved?
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• paper money was basically worthless (coined our own money) • congress couldn't raise money (levy taxes, borrow money, pay debts)
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Why did the founding fathers believe it was not necessary to address the individual rights issues specifically in the Constitution?
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Because they were already constructing a limited government, dispersing powers among the 3 branches, and various states were already doing a sufficient job at keeping individual rights
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What is the responsibility of the Legislative Branch? (Congress)
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To create laws
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What is the responsibility of the Judicial Branch (Supreme Court)?
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To interpret laws
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What is the responsibility of the Executive Branch (The President)?
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To enforce laws
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What checks and balances does each branch have on each other?
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Legislative -> Judicial: - approves federal judges Judicial -> Legislative: - can declare laws unconstitutional Executive -> Legislative: - vetoes bills Legislative -> Executive: - impeachment - override veto Executive -> Judicial: - pardon power - power to appoint judges Judicial -> Executive: - declare acts as president unconstitutional
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Define constitutional republic
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System based on consent of governed in which representatives exercise power
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What were the federalist thoughts on civil liberties, power of the states, and the economy?
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Civil liberties: protected in our constitution already Power of the states: power to the government Economy; protect the elite by having the government protect it
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What were the anti-federalist thoughts on civil liberties, power of the states, and the economy?
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Civil liberties: wanted the bill of rights Power of the states: power to the states Economy: having states protect it
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Why did the anti-federalists believe the new constitution was a class-based document?
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Because they though it was intended to ensure that a particular economic elite controlled the public policies
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What is an unwritten constitution?
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A constitution that is not embodied in a single document but based chiefly on the ideas and processes from the American Government
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Describe the different ways in which a formal constitutional amendment might be adopted
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Proposal- 2/3 of each house of congress or by a national convention Ratification- legislatures of 3/4 of the states or by special state conventions (President has no formal role in amending)
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Define and give an example of judicial interpretation (four ways constitution changes informally)
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Definition: power to determine whether acts of congress and the executive are in accord with the U.S. Constitution Ex: Marbury v. Madison
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Define and give an example of the political practice (four ways constitution changes informally)
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Definition: stretching, shaping, and giving new meaning to politics Ex: electoral college and political parties
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Define and give an example of technology (four ways constitution changes informally)
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Definition: the effect new technology has on our constitution Ex: questioning governmental policies (Internet) and atomic weapons
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Define and give an example of the demands on policymakers (four ways constitution changes informally)
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Definition: the effect of the evolution of the United States and how the people want it to adapt or change Ex: war on terrorism and the Patriot Act
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What were the five constitutional amendments that expanded the right to vote? (explain)
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• 15th - prohibited discrimination of race for determining voter eligibility • 19th - gave women the right to vote • 23rd - Washington D.C. residents can vote • 24th - cut poll taxes (discriminated the poor) • 26th - lowered the voting eligibility age to 18 years olf
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In what ways does the constitution expand and diminish the scope of the government?
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Checks and balances- all groups can have their demands heard
