Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

DE US Government > Unit 2: Founding > Flashcards

Unit 2: Founding Flashcards

1
Q

Who were the American settlers?

A

Settlers who wanted to escape religious and economic conditions in England.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What kind of independence did colonial governments have?

A

Practical independence from the crown and Parliament, and real independence from one another.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Why did England expect the colonists to pay for their defense and protection?

A

England was cash-strapped after the French & Indian War.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What angered the colonists about the Treaty of Paris?

A

It halted westward expansion.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What were the colonists’ grievances regarding taxes and abuses of police powers?

A

They hated the Sugar & Stamp Acts (“No taxation without representation”) and British denial of rights for suspected criminals.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What was the purpose of the Stamp Act Congress?

A

First step toward a national government.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What did the Stamp Act Congress successfully petition for?

A

Repeal of the Stamp Act.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What did Parliament pass after the repeal of the Stamp Act?

A

The Townsend Act (tea tax).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What were the goals of the first Continental Congress?

A

Formalized boycotts and attempted to petition King George III for a peaceful address of grievances.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What led to the formation of the second Continental Congress?

A

The battles of Lexington & Concord.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Who primarily wrote the Declaration of Independence?

A

Thomas Jefferson, with an ‘assist’ from John Locke.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What does the Declaration of Independence state about people?

A

All people are ‘created equal’ and given rights by their Creator.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What is the purpose of a government according to the Declaration of Independence?

A

To protect the people’s rights (social contract).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What can the people do if a government does not protect their rights?

A

Alter or abolish it.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What were the features of the Articles of Confederation?

A

A) Loose “league of friendship” that left most powers to the states
B) Congress had war powers, and control over foreign relations & the post.
C) One vote per state: 9 votes to pass laws, 13 to amend Articles
D) Government paid for by contributions from the states

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What were the problems for the National Government during ‘The Critical Period’?

A

A) No power to tax.
B) Worthless currency.
C) No commerce power.
D) No executive branch.
E) No national judiciary.
F) Too weak to act.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What were the principles the framers believed in?

A

A) Federalism: division of authority between states and the central government
B) Separation of powers between different branches of gov.: ‘Ambition must be made to counteract ambition.’— James Madison.
C) Checks & Balances: Each branch guards its own independence, and against the supremacy of any one branch.
D) Limit majority rule: demonstrated by unelected bodies like the President (picked by the Electoral College), Senate (selected by state legislatures), and the Supreme Court (appointed for life terms)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Federalism

A

Division of authority between states and the central government

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Checks & Balances

A

Each branch guards its own independence, and against the supremacy of any one branch

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Limit majority rule

A

Demonstrated by unelected bodies like the President (picked by the Electoral College), Senate (selected by state legislatures), and the Supreme Court (appointed for life terms)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What was the Virginia Plan?

A

Scrap Articles of Confederation for more powerful government, bicameral legislature, votes based on state population.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

What was the New Jersey Plan?

A

Keep and strengthen Articles of Confederation, unicameral congress, one vote per state.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

What was the Connecticut (Great) Compromise?

A

One house popularly elected, other house selected by states with equal representation, national power supreme over state power.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

What was the Three-Fifths Compromise?

A

How slaves are counted for House of Representatives.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

What was the Electoral College?

A

Unelected people choose the Executive (President).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

Who authored the Virginia Plan?

A

James Madison.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

Who authored the New Jersey Plan?

A

William Paterson.

28
Q

Who authored the Connecticut (Great) Compromise?

A

Roger Sherman.

29
Q

What was the legislature structure proposed in the Virginia Plan?

A

Bicameral; members selected by the people in one house, the other by the states.

30
Q

What was the legislature structure proposed in the New Jersey Plan?

A

Unicameral; selected by the states; one vote per state.

31
Q

What were the powers of the legislature in the Virginia Plan?

A

Select judiciary and executive (one person), votes based on state population.

32
Q

What were the powers of the legislature in the New Jersey Plan?

A

Congress could impose duties (import taxes) and profit from the post, executive to consist of several people elected by Congress, Supreme Court appointed for life by executive.

33
Q

Who were the Federalists?

A

Rich land-owners and Northern merchants.

34
Q

Who were the Anti-Federalists?

A

Small farmers, shopkeepers, and laborers.

35
Q

What did the Federalists favor?

A

A strong central government insulated from control by the mass of people.

36
Q

What did the Anti-Federalists favor?

A

Strong state governments and were distrustful of elites.

37
Q

Who were some notable Federalists?

A

James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay.

38
Q

Who were some notable Anti-Federalists?

A

Patrick Henry, Richard Henry Lee, Melancton Smith, Mercy Warren.

39
Q

How did the Anti-Federalists present their arguments?

A

In anonymous letters to newspapers.

40
Q

What were some Anti-Federalist arguments?

A

Fear of a distant central government and a standing army, concern over compulsory taxation, worry over rising government debt and unlimited power to borrow money, demand for a Bill of Rights.

41
Q

What were the Federalist Papers?

A

85 essays written by Madison, Hamilton, and Jay arguing for ratification and rebutting the Anti-Federalists.

42
Q

What was the main argument in The Federalist No. 10?

A

The Constitution would guard against the dangers of factions.

43
Q

How did small states contribute to ratification?

A

They quickly ratified before the Senate’s make-up could be changed.

44
Q

By when did 9 of the 13 states ratify the Constitution?

A

June 1788.

45
Q

Which two states had not ratified the Constitution by June 1788?

A

Virginia and New York.

46
Q

Who eventually helped Virginia and New York ratify the Constitution?

A

Madison and Hamilton.

47
Q

What was the key to ratification?

A

Agreeing to the addition of a Bill of Rights.

48
Q

Who wrote the anonymous letters to newspapers?

A

‘Brutus,’ ‘Cato,’ ‘The Federal Farmer,’ and others.

49
Q

What was the main concern of the Anti-Federalists regarding taxation?

A

Compulsory taxation by the central government.

50
Q

What is the formal amendment process?

A

Two-step process outlined in Article V.

51
Q

What is the first step in the formal amendment process?

A

Proposal.

52
Q

How can a proposed amendment be approved in the first step?

A

Two-thirds vote in both houses of Congress OR national constitutional convention.

53
Q

What is the second step in the formal amendment process?

A

Ratification.

54
Q

How can a proposed amendment be approved in the second step?

A

Three-fourths of the states OR three-fourths of special state conventions.

55
Q

What is the modern practice regarding ratification?

A

Including a time limit (typically 7 years).

56
Q

How many times has the Constitution been formally amended?

A

27 times.

57
Q

What are informal amendments?

A

Changes to the Constitution without changing its wording.

58
Q

What is the most common type of informal amendment?

A

Federal Court Decisions.

59
Q

How can Federal Court Decisions act as informal amendments?

A

Through judicial review power to interpret and expand Federal power.

60
Q

What enables Congress to expand its powers as an informal amendment?

A

Necessary & Proper Clause.

61
Q

What is an example of an informal amendment through Acts of Congress?

A

Expansion of powers through paper money.

62
Q

How can Presidential Actions act as informal amendments?

A

Treaties negotiated by the President become ‘the supreme law of the land’.

63
Q

What is an example of an informal amendment through Presidential Actions?

A

Chemical Weapons Convention of 1993.

64
Q

How have Political Parties influenced informal amendments?

A

Changed the way elections are held, such as the Electoral College.

65
Q

What is an example of an informal amendment through Social Changes/Custom?

A

Diversity of the Cabinet and Supreme Court.

DE US Government (11 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions