POLS 155 - Exam #1
Shay's Rebellion
A revolt by farmers from Massachusetts in 1786-1787 over the lack of economic
relief that led many to believe that a stronger central government was necessary.
Articles of Confederation
This first plan of a national government for the thirteen American states was
replaced by the Constitution; under the Articles, the states retained the most
power.
--Preserved state autonomy, loose union of separate states.
--Guaranteed equal representation for the states (not the people).
--Granted the central gov. only a few important powers.
--Provided no separate executive branch and no national courts.
--Made amendment almost impossible.
The Virginia Plan
The first plan of union proposed at the Constitutional Convention in 1787 called
for a strong central government.
--Benefits larger states.
--Certain amount of seats in the House
--Proposed by Edmund Randolph
The New Jersey Plan
Introduced in the Constitutional Convention in opposition to the Virginia Plan;
emphasized the dominance of the states.
--Benefits smaller states
--Equal representation - similar to Articles of Confed.
--Proposed by William Paterson
Convention (Great) Compromise
Representation by population in the House and by states in the Senate.
, --2 house Congress:
House of Representatives based on states population (benefit larger states)
U.S. Senate - each state has 2 senators + equal representation (benefits smaller
states)
Checks and balances
Each branch of the government has the ability to check each other to ensure that
one branch doesn't have more power than the others (power is divided).
Checks and balances: Congress (Legislative)
Doesn't have to pass bills proposed by the President; can override a veto of
President (2/3 vote in House/Senate); can impeach the President (2/3 vote);
confirms appointments of the President; has power to determine number of
judges; can impeach judges; can refuse appointment of judges.
Checks and balances: President (Executive)
Can propose bills to Congress for consideration; can veto a bill; chooses people
at the court level; determines appointments of judges; can pardon a conviction
(no jail time).
Checks and balances: The Federal Courts (Judicial)
Ability to rule that a law passed by Congress is unconstitutional; can rule
President's actions as unconstitutional.
Federalists
A term for persons who advocated ratification of the Constitution in 1787 and
1788 and generally favored a strong central government; it was also the name of
the dominant political part during the administrations of Presidents George
Washington and John Adams.
Anti-Federalists
Shay's Rebellion
A revolt by farmers from Massachusetts in 1786-1787 over the lack of economic
relief that led many to believe that a stronger central government was necessary.
Articles of Confederation
This first plan of a national government for the thirteen American states was
replaced by the Constitution; under the Articles, the states retained the most
power.
--Preserved state autonomy, loose union of separate states.
--Guaranteed equal representation for the states (not the people).
--Granted the central gov. only a few important powers.
--Provided no separate executive branch and no national courts.
--Made amendment almost impossible.
The Virginia Plan
The first plan of union proposed at the Constitutional Convention in 1787 called
for a strong central government.
--Benefits larger states.
--Certain amount of seats in the House
--Proposed by Edmund Randolph
The New Jersey Plan
Introduced in the Constitutional Convention in opposition to the Virginia Plan;
emphasized the dominance of the states.
--Benefits smaller states
--Equal representation - similar to Articles of Confed.
--Proposed by William Paterson
Convention (Great) Compromise
Representation by population in the House and by states in the Senate.
, --2 house Congress:
House of Representatives based on states population (benefit larger states)
U.S. Senate - each state has 2 senators + equal representation (benefits smaller
states)
Checks and balances
Each branch of the government has the ability to check each other to ensure that
one branch doesn't have more power than the others (power is divided).
Checks and balances: Congress (Legislative)
Doesn't have to pass bills proposed by the President; can override a veto of
President (2/3 vote in House/Senate); can impeach the President (2/3 vote);
confirms appointments of the President; has power to determine number of
judges; can impeach judges; can refuse appointment of judges.
Checks and balances: President (Executive)
Can propose bills to Congress for consideration; can veto a bill; chooses people
at the court level; determines appointments of judges; can pardon a conviction
(no jail time).
Checks and balances: The Federal Courts (Judicial)
Ability to rule that a law passed by Congress is unconstitutional; can rule
President's actions as unconstitutional.
Federalists
A term for persons who advocated ratification of the Constitution in 1787 and
1788 and generally favored a strong central government; it was also the name of
the dominant political part during the administrations of Presidents George
Washington and John Adams.
Anti-Federalists
