Chapter 3 NotesThe United States Government

AHSGE Social Studies Review

Vocabulary/ TermsFederalism- practice of

dividing powerConstitutionalism- power is

divided among various groups, but all groups obey a system of laws called a Constitution

Vocabulary/ TermsChecks 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

Vocabulary/ TermsElectoral 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

Main Influences/ Foundation of the US GovernmentMagna 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

Main Influences/ Foundation of the US GovernmentJacques Rousseau-

French philosopherWrote The Social ContractBelieved the right to rule

should come from the people- not the king

Thomas Jefferson agreed and expressed this idea in the Declaration of Independence

Main Influences/ Foundation of the US GovernmentBaron 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.

Main Influences/ Foundation of the US GovernmentGreat 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

Main Influences/ Foundation of the US GovernmentFreedom 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.

Main Influences/ Foundation of the US GovernmentFirst 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

Main Influences/ Foundation of the US GovernmentDeclaration of Independence-

established general principles of human rights

Laid a foundation for the US government to establish equal rights for all people

Articles of ConfederationProposed an alliance between

the 13 independent statesPowers of the government-

Congress couldDeclare warRaise an army and navyMake foreign treaties and

alliances

Articles of ConfederationPowers of the government

cont.Congress could

Coin and borrow moneyRegulate weights and measuresEstablish a post officeRegulate Indian affairsPass laws by 9 of the 13 statesMake amendments with a

unanimous vote of all states

Articles of ConfederationPowers of Congress cont.

Congress could notLevy taxesRegulate foreign or domestic

tradeSettle disputes among statesCollect state debts owed to

central governmentEnforce any of it powers

Articles of ConfederationStrengths

States retained rightsCentral government

established a post officeWeaknesses

Loose bonds between independent states

Articles of ConfederationWeaknesses cont.

One vote in Congress for each state

There was no executive or judicial power

Amendments required a unanimous vote

Constitutional ConventionConstitutional 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

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

United States ConstitutionWritten by James MadisonPower 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

United States ConstitutionArticle 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

United States ConstitutionArticle 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)

Branches of the GovernmentLegislative- Congress (Senate

and House) makes the lawsExecutive- the President carries

out and enforces the laws passed by Congress

Judicial- the Supreme Court and other courts interpret or explain the laws

FederalistsSupported the ratification of

the ConstitutionWanted a strong central

governmentFederalist Papers- newspaper

articles written to persuade people to support the Constitution

Anti-FederalistsDid not support the proposed

ConstitutionWanted states to retain more

power and limit the power of central government

The Constitution lacked a bill of rights that would protect the people

The Bill of Rights1. Freedom of religion, speech,

press, assembly, and petition2. Right to keep and bear arms3. 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

The Bill of Rights5. Rights of the accused

person (right to remain silent and to have a lawyer)

6. Right to a speedy trial7. Right to a jury trial in civil

cases8. Rights concerning bail,

fines, and punishments (no cruel or unusual punishment)

The Bill of Rights9. Powers reserved to the

people10. Powers reserved to the

states

Amendments to the Constitution13th- abolished slavery14th- 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

Amendments to the Constitution17th- people elect senators18th- prohibition (alcohol)19th- women are guaranteed

the right to vote21st- repealed 18th amendment

(people could have alcohol again)

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

America’s First Two Political PartiesFederalists

Supported the ConstitutionSupported strong central

government Interpreted the Constitution

loosely (giving powers not specifically stated)

James Madison/ Alexander Hamilton/ John Jay

America’s First Two Political PartiesDemocrat-Republicans

Favored states retaining authority

Wanted power in the hands of the people

Interpreted the Constitution strictly (giving powers only as stated)

Thomas Jefferson

John MarshallChief Justice of the Supreme

CourtMarbury 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