Chapter 02: Birth of a Nation

SSUSH4 The student will identify the ideological, military, and diplomatic aspects of the American Revolution.

SSUSH5 The student will explain specific events and key ideas that brought about the adoption and implementation of the United States Constitution.

(32 Note Cards Required)

2.3 Establishing a Government

Articles of ConfederationFirst national body of laws adopted by the US following its declaration of independence.

It proved ineffective because it did not give enough power to the national government.

Daniel Shay's RebellionRebellion of farmers in Massachusetts which

arose in protest to state taxes in the midst of a

national financial crisis.

It demonstrated the need to revise the Articles of

Confederation.

Constitutional ConventionIn 1787, a delegation met in Philadelphia to

revise the Articles of Confederation.

All the delegates in attendance (only Rhode

Island did not send representatives.

United States ConstitutionNational body of laws adopted in 1787 that gave

more power to the national government and the

Articles of Confederation.

Virginia PlanProposed a federal government made up of

three branches.

It called for two houses with representatives

from each state.

In each house, the number of representatives

per state would be determined by population.

The greater a state's population, the more

representatives it would have.

New Jersey Plan

Called for three branches of government, but it

wanted the legislative branch to consist of only

one house with each state getting a single

vote.

Great Compromise

Established a legislative branch with two houses. The two houses would comprise Congress.

o One house, called the House of Representatives,

would be elected directly by the people and each state granted a certain number of seats based on population.

o The other house, called the Senate, would be elected by state legislatures with each state having two senators, regardless of population.

Three-Fifths Compromise

Stated that each slave would count as 3/5 of a

person when considering representation.

Slave Trade Compromise

Northerners who opposed the slave trade agreed

to allow it to continue for twenty years, after

which time Congress could impose regulations.

This was important to the South who insisted that

their economy could not survive without the slave

trade.

Limited Government

The principle that even governments must obey

a set of laws and respect the rights of citizens.

Separation of Powers

Divides authority to govern between different

branches of government.

Checks and Balances

Powers given to each branch that allow each

branch to check the powers of the other two.

Legislative Branch

Responsible for making the laws of the country.

Executive Branch

Responsible for enforcing the laws and is

headed by the president of the United States.

Judicial Branch

The federal court system.

Its role is to make sure the laws are applied

fairly and appropriately.

U.S. Supreme Court

Serves as the highest court in the land.

Federalists

Political faction and eventually a political party

that favored a strong central government,

supported ratification of the Constitution, and

held to a "loose interpretation" of the

Constitution.

Alexander Hamilton

Major leader of the Federalist Party who served

as President Washington's secretary of the

treasury and introduced an economic plan for

dealing with the nation's economic crisis during

Washington's first term.

James Madison

Federalist leader who played a key role in

drafting the Constitution and is often referred

to as the "Father of the Constitution."

Anti-Federalists

Political faction and eventually a political party

That opposed a strong central government, did

Not support ratification of the Constitution, and

held to a "strict interpretation" of the

Constitution.

Federalist Papers

Essays that were written to persuade New York's

legislature to ratify the Constitution by easing fears

that the document left the government susceptible

to any one faction seizing too much power.

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments (additions) to the

Constitution and its purpose is to protect citizens'

rights and maintain limited government

First Amendment Guarantees citizens' rights for:

Freedom of speechFreedom of the pressFreedom to petition the governmentFreedom to assembleFreedom of religion.

Second Amendment

Guarantees the right to bear arms.

Third Amendment

Restricts quartering (housing) of federal troops

in the homes of U.S. citizens.

Fourth Amendment

Protects citizens against unreasonable searches

and seizures.

Fifth AmendmentEnsures that no person shall be imprisoned or

deprived of their property without due process.

Double Jeopardy o A person cannot be tried for the same crime more than once.

Self-Incriminationo Defendants cannot be forced to testify against themselves in

court. Eminent domain

o The government cannot take a citizen's property without paying "just compensation"

Sixth AmendmentThe right to a public and speedy trial by jury:

Trial by jury simply means that a group of an

accused person's peers decides his or her guilt or innocence, rather than a single government

official.

This amendment also guarantees the right to legal representation (a lawyer) and the right to call and confront witnesses.

Seventh Amendment

Right to a trial by jury to civil cases as well (i.e.,

when one person sues another for money).

Eighth AmendmentProhibits the government from imposing excessive

bail or fines.

Bail- Money an arrested person must pay to get out of

jail until the date of his/her trial.

Fines- Amounts of money imposed as punishment for

a crime one has been found guilty.

Ninth Amendment

States that the rights specifically mentioned in

the Bill of Rights are not necessarily the only

ones enjoyed by the people.

Tenth Amendment

Those powers not restricted by the Constitution,

nor delegated to the US government, are reserved

for the states.