The Constitutional Era 1781-1789
What is a republic? A representative democracy
How does a republic work? The people elect representatives Representatives make the laws
The Articles of Confederation What was the first attempt at workable government in the United States? The Articles of Confederation
What was the basic problem with the government under the Articles of Confederation? Too weak
What does the Constitution provide? The basic framework for the U.S. government
For what two reasons had Americans fought the Revolutionary War? Unfair taxation by Parliament King George III had ruled like a tyrant
How did the Articles of Confederation limit Congress’ lawmaking power? No power to tax No power to regulate interstate commerce
What is a synonym for commerce? Trade
What is currency? Paper money
Where did the Constitutional Convention meet? Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
What is a compromise? An agreement in which both sides get part of what they want, but neither side gets all of what it wants
George Washington James Madison What two Virginians played important roles at the Constitutional Convention? George Washington James Madison
What position did George Washington hold at the Constitutional Convention? President (chairman) of the Constitutional Convention
Who wrote the “Virginia Plan”? James Madison
Who often led the debate and kept a written record of the Constitutional Convention? James Madison
Who is considered the “Father of the Constitution”? James Madison
What is another name for national law? Federal law
What does it mean to say that federal law is the supreme law of the land? When state law conflicts with federal (national) law, then the federal law overrides the state law.
What clause of the Constitution says that federal law is the supreme law of the land? The supremacy clause
What type of national legislature did Madison’s “Virginia Plan” propose? A two-house legislature Population would determine a state’s representation in both houses of Congress
What effect would the “Virginia Plan” have on the smaller states’ influence in the government? Reduce it greatly
How did the small states respond to the “Virginia Plan”? Rejected it Proposed the “New Jersey Plan”
Each state would have equal representation, regardless of population. What did the “New Jersey Plan” say about representation in the national legislature? Each state would have equal representation, regardless of population.
Which states would have been hurt by the “New Jersey Plan”? The large states
What solved the large state/small state disagreement about representation in Congress? The Great Compromise
How did the Great Compromise solve the big state/small state disagreement about representation in the national legislature?
Congress would be a two-house legislature: the Senate and the House of Representatives Each state would have two U.S. Senators Population would decide a state’s membership in the House of Representatives
What balanced power in Congress between the large and small states? The Great Compromise
What states had decided to abolish (end) slavery in the years right after the Revolution? The Northern states
What states had decided to keep slavery after the Revolution? The Southern states
Did the North want slaves counted in figuring a state’s representation in the House of Representatives? No
Did the South want slaves counted in figuring a state’s representation in the House of Representatives? Yes
What was the 3/5 Compromise? Compromise between the North and the South Slaves would count as 3/5 of a person in figuring a state’s representation in the House of Representatives
Define the term separation of powers? The division of power among different branches of government
What three branches of government did the Constitution create? Legislative Executive Judicial
What is the name of the legislative branch of the federal government? Congress
What does the legislative branch do? Makes the laws
What official leads the executive branch? The President
What does the executive branch do? Enforces the laws
What court leads the judicial branch of the federal government? The Supreme Court
What does the judicial branch do? Interprets or explains the meaning of the laws
Define checks and balances system. A government in which each branch can stop or check the actions of the other branches
How many states had to ratify the Constitution before it could take effect? 9
What does ratify mean? Approve
Why was the ratification debate in Virginia very important? Virginia was the largest state in population and located on the Atlantic coast right in the center of the United States.
Who were the Federalists? Supporters of the Constitution
Who were the Anti-Federalists? Opponents of the Constitution
Who were the two leading Federalists in Virginia? George Washington James Madison
Why did the Anti-Federalists fear a powerful national government? Believed it would destroy the rights of individuals and the power of the states
Who were the two leading Anti-Federalists in Virginia? Patrick Henry George Mason
What group wanted a Bill of Rights included in the Constitution? Anti-Federalists
Who took responsibility for drafting a Bill of Rights? James Madison
What two documents did Madison use to write the Bill of Rights? Virginia Declaration of Rights Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom
Who wrote the Virginia Declaration of Rights? George Mason
What was the basic idea of the Virginia Declaration of Rights? Government should not violate basic human rights
Who wrote the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom? Thomas Jefferson
What did the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom forbid? An established church
Which church had been the established church in colonial Virginia? The Anglican Church
Define the term established church. The practice of the colony giving government support to one favored church
What basic idea did the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom support? Freedom of religion
What is the Bill of Rights? The first ten amendments to the Constitution
What is a constitutional amendment? An addition to the Constitution
What rights are guaranteed by the First Amendment? Freedom of Speech Freedom of the Press Freedom of Religion Freedom of Assembly The Right of Petition
What does freedom of assembly mean? The right to gather at public meetings
What does the right of petition mean? The right to make written requests to make changes in the government
Define free markets. Business and trade without government regulation or rules