Constitution Flashcards
(35 cards)
Hamilton Quote against Democracy
“The people are turbulent and changing; they seldom judge or determine right.”
Madison Quote on Republic
“In a democracy, the people meet and exercise the government in person; in a republic, they assemble and administer it by their representatives and agents.”
What was the Declaration of Independence?
The document adopted in the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, to explain and justify the decision of the American colonies to declare their independence from Britain.
What were the Articles of Confederation?
The Articles of Confederation were adopted by the Continental Congress on November 15, 1777. This document served as the United States’ first constitution
What were the key features of the government established under the Articles of Confederation?
The Articles of Confederation produced a “league” of states, not a nation of citizens.
Each state delegation to the Confederation Congress had a single vote, and the presidency of the Congress rotated among the states.
There was no executive, no judiciary, no separation of powers, and no checks and balances.
What was the name of the government created by the Articles of Confederation?
The Confederation Congress
What were the inherent problems to the Articles of Confederation?
Congress had no power to regulate trade and commerce between the states
No power to tax the citizens of the individual states.
Congress’s only domestic source of revenue was requisitions on the states.
Amendments to the Articles required the unanimous approval of the thirteen state legislatures.
What was the inciting event that forced Americans to reconsider the Articles of Confederation?
Shay’s Rebellion - An uprising of Massachusetts farmers during the winter of 1786–1787.
What was the Constitutional Convention?
Met in Philadelphia between May 25 and September 17, 1787, and produced the U.S. Constitution.
What was the Virginia Plan?
Outline of a strong national government, written by Virginia’s James Madison and supported by most of the delegates from the large states
What were the key features of the Virginia plan?
Based on popular sovereignty
Bicameral legislature
Congressional seats allocated according to state population
Broad powers to legislate where the “harmony” of the U.S. requires it
‘A National Executive” chosen and removable by Congress
Federal court system with broad powers
Ratification by the people
What was the New Jersey Plan?
A plan to add a limited number of new powers to the Articles, supported by most of the delegates from the small states, introduced into the Constitutional Convention as an alternative to the Virginia Plan.
What were the key features of the New Jersey plan?
Based on state sovereignty
Unicameral legislature
Equal votes for states in Congress
Authority of the old Congress plus limited powers over taxation and commerce
Multiple executives chosen by Congress and removable upon petition of the states
Supreme tribunal with narrow powers
Ratification by the states
What were the key features of the ‘Great Compromise’?
Delegates from Connecticut proposed a compromise in which the states would be represented on the basis of population in the House and each state would be represented equally in the Senate.
The northern states agreed to count each slave as three-fifths of a person for purposes of representation if the southern states agreed to apply this proportion to taxes as well.
When was the US Constitution first signed, then ratified?
Thirty-nine delegates signed the Constitution on September 17, 1787
The final state to ratify it was Rhode Island, in 1790
What does Article 1 of the US Constitution deal with?
The Legislative Branch
What section of the Constitution outlines the President’s role in the legislative process - and what is it?
Article 1, Section 7
The president has the right to review all legislation before it becomes law.
If he concurs, he signs the legislation
If he strongly opposes the judgment of the legislature, he can veto the legislation subject to an override by two-thirds of each house
Define enumerated powers and outline what they are
Enumerated Powers = The specifically listed or enumerated powers of Congress found in Article I, section 8, of the Constitution.
The power to levy taxes and control commerce
The power to oversee financial/monetary policy and regulation
The power to raise/support an army and navy
What is the necessary & proper clause?
The last paragraph of Article I, section 8, of the Constitution, which states that Congress may make all laws deemed necessary and proper to carry into execution the powers specifically enumerated in Article I, section 8.
What does Article 2 of the Constitution deal with?
The Executive Branch
What are the specific powers granted to the Executive branch?
The president serves as commander in chief of the Army and Navy
May grant reprieves and pardons for offences against the United States
With the advice and consent of two-thirds of the Senate, the president can conclude treaties
With the approval of a simple majority of the Senate, he can appoint ambassadors, members of the Supreme Court, and other public ministers
What is the ‘take care’ clause of Article 2?
Article II, section 3, of the Constitution requires that the president “take care that the laws be faithfully executed.”
The “take care” clause has been read by presidents since Abraham Lincoln as a command that they see that the laws of the United States are both faithfully executed by the government and obeyed by the citizenry
What does Article 3 of the Constitution deal with?
The Judiciary
What is the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court?
The Supreme Court has original jurisdiction in cases involving ambassadors, other public ministers, and cases in which one or more states are involved.
In all other cases, their jurisdiction is appellate.
