Chapter 5 Constitution of US 8th grade – Flashcards
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Articles of congress
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plan that established, in 1781, a limited national government in the United States, later replaced by the Constitution of the United States
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legislative branch
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branch of government that makes the laws, Congress
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executive branch
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branch of the government , headed by the President, that enforces the laws
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judicial branch
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branch of government, made up of courts and judges, that interprets and applies the laws
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Constitution
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plan of the government that describes parts of the government and their duties and powers
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Democracy
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government by the people
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Republic
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government run by the people through their elected representatives
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Shays' Rebellion
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an uprising against taxes in Massachusetts in 1786 and 1787
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specie
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gold or silver coin
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Constitutional Convention
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convention that met in Philadelphia in 1787 to draft the constitution of the United States
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United States Constitution
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plan of government that describes the different parts of the government and their duties and powers, established in 1787
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amend
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to revise
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veto
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to prevent from becoming a law
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Great Compromise
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compromise at the Constitutional convention calling for a 2-house legislature, with one house elected on the basis of population and the other representing each state equally
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Three-Fifths Compromise
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Compromise at the constitutional convention calling for three fifths of a slave's state population to be counted for the purposes of legislature representative
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Federal System of Government
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a system in which power is shared among state and national authorities
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Separation of Power
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The Constitutional allotting of powers within the federal government among the legislature, executive and judicial branch
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checks and balances
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system in which each of the branches of the federal government can check the actions of the other branches
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Electoral College
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groups of electors, chosen by the voters, who vote for President
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ratify
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approve or sanction
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Federlists
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supporters of the constitution during the debate over its ratification; favored a strong national government
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faction
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group organized around a common interest and concerned only with furthering that interest
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anti-Federalists
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opponents of the Constitution during the debate over its ratification; opposed the concept of a strong central government
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Bill of Rights
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First ten Amendments in the Constitution
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inauguration
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official swearing-in ceremony
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cabinet
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leaders of the executive departments of the federal government
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domestic affairs
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issues relating to a country's internal matters
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administration
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term of office; also the members and agencies of the executive branch as a whole
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precedent
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an act or statement that becomes an example, rule, or tradition to be followed
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What was the purpose of the Articles of Confederation?
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The purpose of the Articles of Confederation was to set laws to government the United States
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What are the responsibilities of the legislative branch, the executive branch and the judicial branch?
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The legislature branch, or Congress, makes the laws. The executive branch, led by the President, executes the laws passed by Congress. The judicial branch (courts and judges) interprets and applies cases.
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What were some provisions of the Pennsylvania constitution?
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Pennsylvania constitution gave voting rights to all white men 21 years and over who paid taxes. It also created a state legislature and required them to run for election.
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What is a democracy?
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government by the people
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What is a republic?
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government by the people through their elected representatives
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Why did Massachusetts require taxes be paid in specie?
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specie (gold or silver coin) was far more scarce and worth much more
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What was produced at the Constitutional Convention?
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The convention produced the U.S. Constitution which has governed for over 200 years.
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What does it mean to amend? What does it mean to veto?
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amend - revise; veto - prohibit from becoming a law
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How did the Great Compromise and the Three-Fifths Compromise help the convention reach agreements?
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The two compromises allowed both sides to get different issues answered through agreements.
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How is the power within the federal system of government divided under the separation of powers?
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The power is divided into judicial, executive and legislative branch.
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What checks and balances are provided by the Constitution?
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Checks and Balances give each branch the power to check and stop the other branches in certain ways.
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What is the electoral college and why was it established?
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a group of electors who vote for President. It was established so that there is a shield between government and people
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Why were special conventions, and not state legislatures, called upon to ratify the Constitution?
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There was fear that the legislature would never approve a document that reduced their power
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How were the Federalists able to win ratification of the Constitution?
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Smaller states approved the Constitution first then it spread to other states. Some states delayed the vote until they could pass it. Finally North Carolina and Rhode Island reversed their vote and approved it.
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How did James Madison address fears that any faction might be able to control the government?
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Madison argued that the U.S was so large that no single faction could control the government
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Why did the anti-Federalists oppose the Constitution?
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they feared the state governments and rights of individuals would be threatened
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Why did many Americans want a Bill of Rights?
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They wanted to restrain the government
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What points did Washington make in his inauguration speech?
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Washington described preservation of sacred freedom of liberty and destiny of republican model of government and staked on the experiment entrusted in American's hands.
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Who were the first Cabinet officers and what were their jobs?
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Edmund Randolph - Attorney General; Henry Knox - Secretary of War; Thomas Jefferson - head of Department of State; Alexander Hamilton - Secretary of Treasury
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What are domestic affairs?
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country's internal matters
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What issues did Washington's first administration face?
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How the Congress and President would interact, told of the cabinet, establishing precedents
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What kinds of precedents did Washington set?
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making sure the office was respected and the government appears powerful, make sure that the government is a democracy
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Why did Washington promote formality in his administration?
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wanted to establish a tone of dignity in his administration
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Amendment 1
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Freedoms, Petitions, Assembly
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Amendment 2
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Right to bear arms
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Amendment 3
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Quartering of soldiers
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Amendment 4
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Search and arrest
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Amendment 5
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Rights in criminal cases
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Amendment 6
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Rights to a fair trial
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Amendment 7
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Rights to civil cases
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Amendment 8
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Bail, fines, punishment
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Amendment 9
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Rights retained by the People
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Amendment 10
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States' rights
