Chapter 3 Notes

1. Chapter 3 Notes The United States Government AHSGE Social Studies Review

2. Vocabulary/ Terms • Federalism- practice of dividing power • Constitutionalism- power is divided among various groups, but all groups obey a system of laws called a Constitution

3. Vocabulary/ Terms • Checks and balances- the three branches of government have specific powers (separation of powers) and can keep the other branches from having too much influence or power • Amendments- changes in the Constitution • Ratified- approved

4. Vocabulary/ Terms • Electoral college- a group of people representing each state • Elastic clause- gives Congress the power to pass legislation necessary and proper to carrying out its responsibilities

5. Main Influences/ Foundation of the US Government • Magna Carta- protected the rights of English nobles (the king’s power was not absolute) • John Locke- English philosopher/ believed the government should derive its power from the people it governed

6. Main Influences/ Foundation of the US Government • Jacques Rousseau- • French philosopher • Wrote The Social Contract • Believed the right to rule should come from the people- not the king • Thomas Jefferson agreed and expressed this idea in the Declaration of Independence

7. Main Influences/ Foundation of the US Government • Baron de Montesquieu • Published The Spirit of the Laws • Said government should possess legislative, executive, and judicial authority to make, interpret, and enforce the laws of the land. • The functions should be divided to keep one from being too powerful.

8. Main Influences/ Foundation of the US Government • Great Awakening- • revival of evangelical Christianity in American colonies • Contributed to a sense of American nationality before the Revolutionary War • Life on frontier- taught the value of independence and self-reliance

9. Main Influences/ Foundation of the US Government • Freedom of religion- people came to the colonies seeking freedom of religion • House of Burgess- first colonial assembly; symbolized the authority of the people to limit the power of the king, and was critical in developing state and national governments.

10. Main Influences/ Foundation of the US Government • First and Second Continental Congress- brought together delegates from the 13 colonies (except Georgia) • First Continental Congress- first time state representatives met together • Both were a model for forming the US government

11. Main Influences/ Foundation of the US Government • Declaration of Independence- • established general principles of human rights • Laid a foundation for the US government to establish equal rights for all people

12. Articles of Confederation • Proposed an alliance between the 13 independent states • Powers of the government- • Congress could • Declare war • Raise an army and navy • Make foreign treaties and alliances

13. Articles of Confederation • Powers of the government cont. • Congress could • Coin and borrow money • Regulate weights and measures • Establish a post office • Regulate Indian affairs • Pass laws by 9 of the 13 states • Make amendments with a unanimous vote of all states

14. Articles of Confederation • Powers of Congress cont. • Congress could not • Levy taxes • Regulate foreign or domestic trade • Settle disputes among states • Collect state debts owed to central government • Enforce any of it powers

15. Articles of Confederation • Strengths • States retained rights • Central government established a post office • Weaknesses • Loose bonds between independent states

16. Articles of Confederation • Weaknesses cont. • One vote in Congress for each state • There was no executive or judicial power • Amendments required a unanimous vote

17. Constitutional Convention • Constitutional Convention- meeting of delegates from each state to revise the Articles of Confederation • Virginia Plan- representation in Congress would be based on state population • New Jersey Plan- each state would have one vote in Congress

18. Constitutional Convention • Great Compromise- divided Congress into two houses • Senate- each state represented by two senators • House of Representatives- each state had representatives in proportion to its population • Three-fifths Compromise- slaves were counted as 3/5 of a person in population count • Slavery issue would not be addressed for 20 years

19. United States Constitution • Written by James Madison • Power was divided between the states and the federal government • Preamble- states the purpose of establishing a new government under the Constitution • Article 1: establishes the Legislative branch

20. United States Constitution • Article 2: outlines the Executive branch (President of the US) • Article 3: explains the Judicial branch (Supreme Court) • Article 4: gives the relations among states and between states and the federal government

21. United States Constitution • Article 5: provides for amendments to the Constitution • Article 6: covers other miscellaneous provisions like public debts, supreme law of the land, and oaths to support the Constitution • Article 7: explains ratification of the Constitution (9 out of 13 states required)

22. Branches of the Government • Legislative-Congress (Senate and House) makes the laws • Executive- the President carries out and enforces the laws passed by Congress • Judicial- the Supreme Court and other courts interpret or explain the laws

23. Federalists • Supported the ratification of the Constitution • Wanted a strong central government • Federalist Papers- newspaper articles written to persuade people to support the Constitution

24. Anti-Federalists • Did not support the proposed Constitution • Wanted states to retain more power and limit the power of central government • The Constitution lacked a bill of rights that would protect the people

25. The Bill of Rights • 1. Freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition • 2. Right to keep and bear arms • 3. Quartering of troops in people’s homes only allowed with people’s permission • 4. Search and seizure- police need to get a warrant to search your home

26. The Bill of Rights • 5. Rights of the accused person (right to remain silent and to have a lawyer) • 6. Right to a speedy trial • 7. Right to a jury trial in civil cases • 8. Rights concerning bail, fines, and punishments (no cruel or unusual punishment)

27. The Bill of Rights • 9. Powers reserved to the people • 10. Powers reserved to the states

28. Amendments to the Constitution • 13th- abolished slavery • 14th- Civil Rights of all people born or naturalized in the US are guaranteed • 15th- all male citizens have the right to vote regardless of race or color • 16th- income tax

29. Amendments to the Constitution • 17th- people elect senators • 18th- prohibition (alcohol) • 19th- women are guaranteed the right to vote • 21st- repealed 18th amendment (people could have alcohol again)

30. George Washington’s Farewell Address • Served as President for 8 years • Emphasized that the US should stay neutral and avoid permanent alliances with other nations • Warned against the formation of political parties (they would divide the nation, work for special interests, and no longer work for the good of the people) • Believed good government is based on religion and morality

31. America’s First Two Political Parties • Federalists • Supported the Constitution • Supported strong central government • Interpreted the Constitution loosely (giving powers not specifically stated) • James Madison/ Alexander Hamilton/ John Jay

32. America’s First Two Political Parties • Democrat-Republicans • Favored states retaining authority • Wanted power in the hands of the people • Interpreted the Constitution strictly (giving powers only as stated) • Thomas Jefferson

33. John Marshall • Chief Justice of the Supreme Court • Marbury v Madison- established the Supreme Court’s right of Judicial Review (had the right to declare whether laws passed by Congress were constitutional or not) • Gibbons v Ogden- ruled that Congress alone had the power to regulate interstate and foreign commerce