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Social Studies
8th Grade
04/17/2012

Additional Social Studies Flashcards

 


 

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Term
Constitutional  Era – 1787 – Creation of the U.S. Government
Definition

·         This era evaluates the strengths and weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and understands the need for a new government.

·         Issues and compromises that were addressed at the Constitutional Convention.

·         Establishment of the U.S. Constitution through compromises and influences from past documents (Magna Carta, Mayflower Compact, Declaration of Independence, Fundamental Orders of Connecticut, and the English Bill of Rights)

·         Federalists and Anti-Federalists

·         Individual rights are guaranteed in the Bill of Rights and how these amendments pleased the Anti-Federalists

Term
Identify the major events of the Constitutional Time Period
Definition

·       Philadelphia Convention 1787

·       Great Compromise

·       3/5s Compromise

·       Federalist and Anti-Federalist points of view

·       Federalist Papers

Bill of Rights

Term
Significance of 1787
Definition

Writing of the United States Constitution

Term
Articles of Confederation : Issues Surrounding Important Events of the American Revolution
Definition

Written during the American Revolution

*Occurred at the Second Continental Congress (1776)

*Created a new form of government for the independent colonies

   *one branch, a Congress, including one representative from each of the former colonies

*Articles created a “firm league of friendship” where “each state retains its sovereignty, freedom and independence

Term
Issues of the Constitututional Convention – Representation
Definition

Representation

1.      Virginia Plan: large state plan that proposed representation on population size

2.      New Jersey Plan: small state plan that proposed equal representation among all states

Compromise

Great Compromise: Constitution resulted in a two-house legislature with the House of Representatives based on population and the Senate maintaining equal representation from all states

Term
Issues of the Constitutional Convention – Slavery
Definition

Issue

How slaves should be counted regarding population and taxation.

Compromise

Three-Fifths Compromise: three-fifths of the slave population would be counted when setting direct taxes on the states and three-fifths ratio would also be used to determine representation in the legislature

Term
Arguments for and Against Ratification of the Constitution
Definition

o   Federalists – argued for a stronger national government because under the Articles of Confederation, the weak national government set the United States up for failure.

o   Anti-Federalists – argued that states’ rights should remain powerful over key issues; remained the opinion that we fought the Revolution to get away from strong central government; desired to protect individual liberties

Compromise: the U.S. Constitution is ratified and the Bill of Rights is added

Term
Magna Carta
Definition

·        1215; Runnymede, England

·        Limited the power of the King of England

·        This document influenced the United States’ Constitution

·        The Constitution limits the power of the central government

·        Trial by jury

An innocent man cannot be put into jail without a trial

Term
English Bill of Rights
Definition

·       1689

·       Limited the power of the King

·       Listed individual rights of the people that could not be taken away by the King

This document influenced the United States’ Constitution Bill of Rights

Term
Mayflower Compact
Definition

·       1620

·       Written by the Pilgrims

·       An agreement that established majority rule and self-government

·       The Pilgrims pledged to remain loyal to Great Britain

Term
Federalist Papers
Definition

A series of essays written in support of the United States Constitution.

·        Focused on the need for a strong central governement with restricted (limited) powers.

·        Supported separation of powers amd checks and balances.

Written by: Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison

Term
Anti – Federalist Papers
Definition

A series of essays written against the United States Constitution.

·        Feared a strong central government

·        Felt the Constitution lacked protection for individual rights

Written by: Thomas Jefferson and Patrick Henry

Term
Strengths of the Articles of Confederation
Definition

1.    States’ rights (a result of a strong fear of a tyrannical leader)

2.    Confederation of states with equal voice in Congress

Congress had power to make war and peace, sign treaties, raise an army and navy, print money, and set up a postal system

Term
Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation
Definition

1.      No national taxes – no way to raise national money to pay an army, navy, or other national interests; had to ask the states for money which was often ignored

2.      No federal court system – no way to settle disputes between the states

3.      Lack of a strong federal government – reduced ability to settle disputes over state boundaries

4.      No power to regulate commerce – arguments about taxes on goods that crossed state borders

5.      No federal leader – no Executive to lead the country

Limited military = no protection

Term
Shay’s Rebellion
Definition

An armed rebellion of farmers in Massachuestts led by Daniel Shays.

Showed that the government could not keep order and a stronger form of national government was needed.

Term
Colonial Grievances Addressed in the U.S. Constitution
Definition

Grievance in Declaration of Independence

Addressed in the U.S. Constitution

Taxation without representation

All states have representation in Congress, which sets taxes

King has absolute power

Congress has the power to override Presidential veto

Colonists not allowed to speak out against the King

1st Amendment – Freedom of Speech

Quartering Act forced colonists to house troops

3rd Amendment – No quartering of troops

Allowed homes to be searched without warrants

4th Amendment – No unwarranted search and seizure

No trial by jury of peers

6th Amendment – right to a speedy public trial

 

7th Amendment – trial by jury

Term
Federalists
Definition

Supporters of the United States Constitution.

Argued for a stronger national government.

Under the Articles of Confederation the weak national government set the United States up for failure.

Term
Alexander Hamilton
Definition

Wanted to go beyond the stated powers of the Constitution.

Used the “necessary and proper” clause to justify forming a National Bank that was necessary and proper for the United States economy to develop.

Served as a delegate from New York at the Constitutional Convention.

Leading member of the Federalists.

Term
James Madison
Definition

Known as “the Father of the Constitution”

Helped write the Federalist Papers with John Jay and Alexander Hamilton

Authored the first 10 Amendments (the Bill of Rights) to compromise the Anti-Federalists

Term
Anti-Federalists
Definition

Against the Constitution

Argued that states’ rights should remain powerful over key issues

Kept the opinion that we fought the Revolution to get away from strong central government

Believed that the Constitution should protect individual rights

Term
Patrick Henry
Definition

Was so opposed to the idea of a stronger national government that he refused to attend the Philadelphia Convention because he “smelled a rat”

From Virginia

Had been an influential leader against England with his “Give me liberty, or give me death!” speech.

Term
George Mason
Definition

Leader of the Anti-Federalists. Believed in the need to restrict governmental power and supported protection of individual rights.

Served as a delegate from Virginia at the Constitutional Convention.

Made over 130 speeches against the Constitution.

Term
Rights Guaranteed in the Bill of Rights
Definition

1st – Freedom of Speech, Religion, Press, Assembly, and Petition to the Government

2nd – Bear Arms

3rd – No quartering troops during times of peace

4th – search and seizure

5th – due process of law; not to be tried twice for the same crime (double jeopardy); right not to testify against yourself

6th – right to a speedy and public trial

7th – right to a trial by jury in civil trials

8th – right not to have excessive bail and/or punishment

9th – rights of the people

10th – rights left to the states to decide

Term
Importance of Free Speech
Definition
Freedom of speech and press allow for the protection of individual rights; freedom to express information, ideas, and opinions free of government restrictions based on content
Term
Republicanism
Definition
Representatives are elected by the people to serve the people
Term
Development of Religious Freedom in the United States
Definition

*1620-1691 -Plymouth Colony – self-governing, with each congregation independent and electing its own pastor and officers

*17th century-Mass. Bay Colony – democratic in that they elected ministers and other officials; church closely tied to state government

*1631-Roger Williams founded Rhode Island; 1636 church and state separated

*1681-1776 – Penn’s Frames of Government guaranteed religious freedom to all settlers in Pennsylvania

*1689 – Toleration Acts; Maryland is founded for Catholics

*1791 – Bill of Rights guaranteed freedom of religion from government interference

Term
Impact of the First Amendment Guaranteeing Freedom of Religious Freedom on the American Way of Life
Definition

·      Americans have the right to worship however they choose

·      The government does not have the right to interfere with religious beliefs

Sets up for official separation of church and state

Term
Example of American Art during the Constitutional Time Period
Definition
Term
How the U.S. Constitution Reflects Principles of Government
Definition
Judges are appointed for life making them independent of executive control.
Article II of the Constitution
Term
How the U.S. Constitution Reflects Principles of Government
Definition
The Constitution creates a limited government in which everyone, including all authority figures must obey the laws.
Constitutions, statements of rights, or other laws define the limits of those in power so that they cannot take advantage of their elected, appointed, or inherited positions
Term
Checks and Balances
Definition
System that does not allow anyone branch of the government to have too much power.
Example: the President can veto legislation passed by Congress; Congress can override the veto. The Senate confirms major appointments made by the President, and the courts may declare acts passed by Congress unconstitutional
Term
Federalism
Definition
Sharing of power between the federal government and the state governments.
Term
Popular Sovereignty
Definition
All political power rests with the people.
The people can create, alter, and abolish government.
People express themselves through voting and free participation in government.
Term
Process of Changing the U.S. Constitution
Definition
The Constitution can be changed or amended when it is deemed necessary by the people to bring the document up to date.
Congress or state conventions can propose an amendment.
It then goes to the states to be approved.
An amendment must have a 2/3 vote of Congress or state conventions and a ¾ vote of the states to be approved.
Term
Examples of Unalienable Rights
Definition
Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness
Freedom to associate
Freedom of assembly
Right to property
Term
Founding Fathers
Definition
Name given to the individuals who played a major role in declaring independence, fighting the Revolutionary War, or writing and adopting the Constitution of the United States
Thomas Jefferson : George Washington
Alexander Hamilton : John Adams
Benjamin Franklin : James Madison
Term
Civic Virtue
Definition
Involvement in a community
Those with civic virtue go a step beyond their obligations by taking an active role in improving the community in the experiences of other members of the community.
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