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