American Government Notes
Unit:
Slides:
Sources:
Cues: Notes:
Constitution 101: An introduction and overview to the U.S Constitution
What is the US -The constitution is the supreme law of the US. It is the foundation and source of the legal
Constitution? authority underlying the existence of the US and the federal national government of the US. It
provides the framework for the organization of the US government.
What are the basic ● Popular sovereignty: government power resides in the people
principles of the ● Limited government: government is not all powerful, can only do what the people let it
constitution? ● Separation of powers: helps prevent one branch from becoming too powerful/- checks
and balances
● Federalism: division of power among national/federal and state governments
● Natural rights: rights given to all humans simply for the sake of being human/-these
rights cannot be taken away
● Social contract: it says that people live together in societ6y in accordance with an
agreement that establishes moral and political rules of behavior
● Republicanism: form of government in which a country/state is ruled by representatives
of the citizen body (constitutes)
What are the checks Judicial branch, legislative branch and executive branch
and balances?
Who wrote the James Madison is considered “the father of the constitution. He contributed to:
constitution? - The virginia plan
- Separation of powers
- Bill of rights
Why was it written? -after the revolutionary war, the AOC set up the structure of the government
-problems of the AOC:
● In order to change them, the 13 states had to approve of the changes, this made it
impossible for changes to be made
● Any major laws had to be passed and approved by 9 out of 13 states
● Congress did not have power to regulate commerce which caused competition between
states
● Shays rebellion was an uprising of farmers in MA led by daniel shays/-he helped
convince leaders/elites that a strong central government was needed
When was it written? -it was written on may 25th to september 17th in the year 1787 in philadelphia
Spend at least 10 minutes every night reviewing your notes.
You’ll retain a great deal more information!
, -the intention was to revise the AOC and ended up replacing the AOC and creating a new
government called the “constitutional convention”
What were the ● virginia plan: separation of powers/-bicameral legislature based on population/-federal
important outcomes of government had increased powers
the Constitutional ● new jersey plan: unicameral legislature where every state received equal representation
Convention? ● great or connecticut compromise: hybrid of VA and NJ plans; bicameral
legislature/-house of reps based on population/-senate based upon equal representation
● three-fifths compromise/clause: slaves count as ⅗’s of a person for representation
purpose and taxes
Ratification debate -huge debate emerged between two sides:
● Federalists
-supported the constitution and a strong central/national government
● Anti-federalist
-supported a weaker central/national government
-felt too much power was taken away from the states
-opposed to the constitution
-wanted a bill of rights
● Officially adopted after ratified after by new hampshire
- In order to change the amendments, in congress, they could change with a two-thirds
vote in each house and in a national convention they change it by calling congress at the
request of two thirds of the state legislature.
- Amendments can be ratified by legislatures or conventions
Article 5 the
amendment process -right to bear arms
-forbids quartering of soldiers
-limits searches and seizures (need a warrant)
2nd amendment
-protection against self-incrimination
3rd amendment -private property shall not be taken for public use, without just compensation (eminent domain)
-due process of law
4th amendment
-right to a lawyer (counsel)
5th amendment -right to a speedy and public trial by jury in criminal cases
-right to a jury trial in civil cases
6th amendment -Forbids “cruel and unusual punishment”
-forbids excessive bails and fines
7th amendment -entitles people to rights not listed in the constitution
Spend at least 10 minutes every night reviewing your notes.
You’ll retain a great deal more information, I promise!
Unit:
Slides:
Sources:
Cues: Notes:
Constitution 101: An introduction and overview to the U.S Constitution
What is the US -The constitution is the supreme law of the US. It is the foundation and source of the legal
Constitution? authority underlying the existence of the US and the federal national government of the US. It
provides the framework for the organization of the US government.
What are the basic ● Popular sovereignty: government power resides in the people
principles of the ● Limited government: government is not all powerful, can only do what the people let it
constitution? ● Separation of powers: helps prevent one branch from becoming too powerful/- checks
and balances
● Federalism: division of power among national/federal and state governments
● Natural rights: rights given to all humans simply for the sake of being human/-these
rights cannot be taken away
● Social contract: it says that people live together in societ6y in accordance with an
agreement that establishes moral and political rules of behavior
● Republicanism: form of government in which a country/state is ruled by representatives
of the citizen body (constitutes)
What are the checks Judicial branch, legislative branch and executive branch
and balances?
Who wrote the James Madison is considered “the father of the constitution. He contributed to:
constitution? - The virginia plan
- Separation of powers
- Bill of rights
Why was it written? -after the revolutionary war, the AOC set up the structure of the government
-problems of the AOC:
● In order to change them, the 13 states had to approve of the changes, this made it
impossible for changes to be made
● Any major laws had to be passed and approved by 9 out of 13 states
● Congress did not have power to regulate commerce which caused competition between
states
● Shays rebellion was an uprising of farmers in MA led by daniel shays/-he helped
convince leaders/elites that a strong central government was needed
When was it written? -it was written on may 25th to september 17th in the year 1787 in philadelphia
Spend at least 10 minutes every night reviewing your notes.
You’ll retain a great deal more information!
, -the intention was to revise the AOC and ended up replacing the AOC and creating a new
government called the “constitutional convention”
What were the ● virginia plan: separation of powers/-bicameral legislature based on population/-federal
important outcomes of government had increased powers
the Constitutional ● new jersey plan: unicameral legislature where every state received equal representation
Convention? ● great or connecticut compromise: hybrid of VA and NJ plans; bicameral
legislature/-house of reps based on population/-senate based upon equal representation
● three-fifths compromise/clause: slaves count as ⅗’s of a person for representation
purpose and taxes
Ratification debate -huge debate emerged between two sides:
● Federalists
-supported the constitution and a strong central/national government
● Anti-federalist
-supported a weaker central/national government
-felt too much power was taken away from the states
-opposed to the constitution
-wanted a bill of rights
● Officially adopted after ratified after by new hampshire
- In order to change the amendments, in congress, they could change with a two-thirds
vote in each house and in a national convention they change it by calling congress at the
request of two thirds of the state legislature.
- Amendments can be ratified by legislatures or conventions
Article 5 the
amendment process -right to bear arms
-forbids quartering of soldiers
-limits searches and seizures (need a warrant)
2nd amendment
-protection against self-incrimination
3rd amendment -private property shall not be taken for public use, without just compensation (eminent domain)
-due process of law
4th amendment
-right to a lawyer (counsel)
5th amendment -right to a speedy and public trial by jury in criminal cases
-right to a jury trial in civil cases
6th amendment -Forbids “cruel and unusual punishment”
-forbids excessive bails and fines
7th amendment -entitles people to rights not listed in the constitution
Spend at least 10 minutes every night reviewing your notes.
You’ll retain a great deal more information, I promise!
