Chapter 2 Flashcards
(37 cards)
Who participated in the Constitutional Convention?
Several dozen white men all NOT chosen by a popular election.
What were the Constitutional Convention delegate’s official task and how did they handle media?
To revise the Articles of Confederation. They publicized it and said it would go into effect if ratified by popular conventions in just 9 states rather than requiring ratification from all 13 states. They swore off all media, all keeping their promise to keep everything a secret
What was the PRIMARY goal of the American Revolution?
Liberty
How did the goal of the American Revolution compare to the purposes of the Russian Revolution of 1917 and the Chinese Revolution of 1949?
They sought equality and were little concerned with Liberty.
What did America’s revolutionary leaders believe explained the inadequacy of British government?
Human nature
What did the colonists believe was the basis for the liberties that the colonists fought to protect?
Life, liberty, and property
For most Americans, where did ideaology fit into their motivation?
Money
What was the chief topic of the majority of the Declaration of Independence?
The colonists’ specific complaints against George III and his ministers.
Whose writings influenced the political theory of the DOI?
Jefferson
According to the “Two Treatises of Government”, what was THE most critical element in the formation of government?
Majority rule, the government must rest on the voluntary consent of the governed
Who said that the “real revelation” was the “radical change in the principles, opinions, and sentiments, and affections of the people”? What did he mean by this statement?
John Adams. Revolution was radical change
What was the “new sentiment” that the United States was founded upon?
Political authority couldn’t not rest on tradition but only on consent
What were the problems with the government created under the Articles of Confederation?
They lacked power to levy taxes, regulate commerce, or sign treaties with foreign nations
How long did the convention in Philadelphia last?
4 months
What did the experience of the Massachusetts constitution of 1780 prove?
That the government needs to be strong
Who led the Shay’s Rebellion? How was it interpreted by political leaders at the time?
Daniel Shays. They thought a little rebellion was a good thing
Of the men at the Constitutional Convention, who was the most famous in the world as a scientist and a writer?
Benjamin Franklin
Describe the Constitutional Convention
4 month long meeting that was supposed to revise the Articles. When they first met, they had no accepted political theory that would tell them what kind of national government would serve the goal of protecting life, liberty, and property. Everyone was in agreement that there should be a new form of government, but since it was a vague subject, it left room for debate.
What did the framers believe was a greater threat than rule by a few?
The tyranny of the majority
What were the two elements or goals the Framers were trying to balance in the government they were creating?
1) national legislature
2) people would directly elect at least one house of legislature
Be able to explain in detail the elements of the Great Compromise and explain why it won support
Adapted by narrowest of margins
Allowed a House of Representatives consisting of 65 members apportioned among the states roughly on the basis of population and elected by the people
A Senate consisting of two senators from each state to be chosen by the state legislatures
Reconciled interests of small and large states by allowing the small to predominate the Senate and the larger in the House.
Electoral college
President chosen by this instead of by voters
Judicial review
The power of the Supreme Court to declare an act of congress unconstitutional
Also a way of limiting the power of popular majorities
Indirect election of the senate
An election in which voters don’t choose between candidates for an office, but elect people who then choose
