GCSU US Constitution Exam|310
Questions & Answers
Articles of Confederation - -adopted by the Second Continental Congress on
November 15, 1777; stated that the US would be a national government that
consisted of a unicameral (one-house) legislature (often called the
Confederation Congress); there was no national executive or judiciary;
Quite significantly, however, all powers not specifically delegated to
Congress belonged to the states.
-1) Congress did not have the direct power to tax or to regulate interstate
and foreign trade;
2)Congress had no authority to raise an army on its own and had to
requisition troops from the states. All major policy issues — war and peace,
treaties, the appropriation of funds — required the approval of nine states. -
-weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation
-Annapolis Convention (September 1786) - -1786; twelve delegates from
five states-New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Virginia-
gathered to discuss and develop a consensus about reversing the
protectionist trade barriers that each state had erected.
-Shay's Rebellion (winter of 1786-1787) - -a revolt of debtor farmers in
western Massachusetts;
winter 1786-1787
-Constitutional Convention - -Fifty-five delegates from 12 states (Rhode
Island did not participate) met in Philadelphia in May 1787. While authorized
only to "revise" the Articles of Confederation, the participants moved quickly
to develop a new structure for the government.
-Virginia Plan - -proposed by James Madison; supported by larger states
1)bicameral (two-house) legislature empowered to make laws.
2) lower house was elected by voters in each state, and the upper house was
chosen by the lower house from candidates nominated by the state
legislatures.
3) Representation in both houses was based on population.
4) The executive was chosen by the legislature for one term and was
responsible for executing all laws.
5) legislature appointed judges to one or more supreme courts and lower
national courts.
6) A Council of Revision made up of the executive and judges could veto laws
passed by the legislature or the states; a vote by both houses was needed to
override a veto by the Council.
, -New Jersey Plan - -1) kept the one house legislature
2) expanded legislature powers to include raising revenue and regulating
commerce.
3) Each state had one vote, and the members were chosen by the state
legislatures.
4) multiperson executive elected by the legislature was proposed
5) executives appointed judges to the Supreme Court.
6) Laws passed by the legislature were binding on the states, and the
multiperson executive was authorized to compel obedience to the law.;
supported by smaller states
-The Great Compromise - -provided that seats in the House of
Representatives would be apportioned according to the population of each
state, with members elected directly by the people. In the Senate, each state
would have two senators, voting independently, chosen by their legislatures.
-proportional representation - -representation based on population
-equal representation - -one state, one vote.
-Three-fifths compromise - -population was determined by adding the
"whole number of free persons" and "three-fifths of all other persons." The
phrase "all other persons" meant slaves;
-Electoral College - -The legislatures of each state chose electors equal to
their total number of representatives in Congress. The electors then voted
for two people, one of whom could not be from their state. The individual
who received the most votes became president and the person with the next
highest total became vice president. In the event of a tie, the House of
Representatives decided the election and each state had one vote.
-republican;
organization;
federal - -The Constitution established a _______________ form of government,
explained the _________________ of that government, and outlined the
______________ system.
-republic - -power ultimately is in the hands of the people and is exercised
by their elected representatives
-separation of powers - -The government's functions are divided among
three branches; executive, judicial, legislative
-checks and balances - -the powers of one branch of government are
limited by the powers given to another branch
, -President - -Who can veto legislation?
-2/3 - -Congress can override a president's veto with a _______ vote of both
houses.
-The Senate through its power to give "advice and consent" - -Who can
reject the president's appointment to the Supreme court?
-Article I - -longest article;
describes the organization of congress & lists its specific powers, known as
enumerated or delegated powers.
Contains the necessary and proper clause.
Lists the powers denied to congress and the states.
-Necessary and Proper Clause (elastic clause) - -Congress can make laws
needed to carry out its enumerated powers.
-Article II (2) - -executive branch:
describes the election of the president (& VP);
qualifications for holding office;
procedures if a president can no longer serve;
lists powers of the president: commander in chief of army & navy, making
treaties, and with "advice & consent of the Senate" appointing ambassadors,
officials, & Supreme Court justices;
presidet is required to periodically report to Congress on the state of the
union, can propose legislation, and call congress into special session.
-Article III - -established the Supreme Court;
authorizes congress to establish lower federal courts;
types of cases the courts have jurisdiction over;
right to trial by jury;
implies that courts have the power to declare a law unconstitutional
-Article IV (4) - -full faith and credit clause;
all citizens of all states have the same privileges;
adding a new state to the union;
guarantees each state a republican form of government;
ensures protection against invasion or domestic violence.
-full faith and credit clause - -requires that the legislative and judicial
actions of one state be honored by other states
-Article V (5) - -process for sending the Constitution;
States are responsible for ratifying amendments
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