A More Perfect Union Chapter 7 Lesson 1 The Articles of Confederation 1. Eleven of the thirteen states adopted state constitutions. Connecticut and Rhode Island kept its colonial charter as its constitution Limiting Power Because of their experience with British rule, Americans were cautious about placing too much power in the hands of ONE ruler. So states adopted constitutions that limited the power of the government by adopting a bicameral or TWO house legislature 2. Articles of Confederation - November 1777 America s 1st Constitution which created the Confederation of Congress Had to be approved by all THIRTEEN states Congress had limited authority - it couldn t pass changes to the articles required the approval of all 13 states Provided for settling a governing new states in the west Major weakness of the Confederation couldn t deal with nation s finances.
3. Northwest Ordinance Created a single territory called Northwest Territory which were lands north of the Ohio River & east of the Mississippi River Helped stop the spread of slavery to the west Chapter 7 Lesson 2 Convention & Compromise 1. Shays Rebellion Movement of angry farmers led by Daniel Shay Closed the courts in Western Massachusetts so judges could not confiscate farmers land. 2. Constitutional Convention Meeting in Philadelphia in 1787 to reform the Articles of Confederation George Washington was the presiding officer Delegates voted to work toward a national government based on Virginia Plan 3. The Great Compromise Suggested by ROger Sherman Proposed a two-house legislature -House of Representatives # of seats per state would vary according to population - Senate - each state would have two members
Product of grand Committee 4. Three- Fifths Compromise Delegates agreed to count each enslaved person as three-fifths of a free person for both taxation & representation meaning every five enslaved persons would be equal to three free persons. Chapter 7 Lesson 3 A New Plan of Government 1. John Locke English Philosopher Enlightenment thinker - believed all people have natural rights - life, liberty, and property Enlightenment movement influenced the writers of the Constitution 2. Federal System Divided power between the national government & state governments Federalism - the sharing of power between federal and state governments it is one of the distinctive features of the US government Under this system the final authority is the Constitution
3. Branches I. Legislative Branch Lawmaking branch Made up of House of Representatives and Senate - Congress State Representation in the House is proportional to state population State Representation in Senate is equal - two senators per state II. Executive Branch Headed by president President and vice president serve a four-year term President serves as commander in chief of the armed forces Conducts relations with foreign countries President & Vice president are elected indirectly by a special group called Electoral College III. Judicial Branch Court System Judicial power is in the one Supreme Court and other lower federal courts 4. System of Checks and Balances System that keeps any one branch from gaining too much power President can check congress by vetoing
Congress can check president by overriding or voting down veto 5. The Federalist Papers A series of essays explaining & defending the Constitution Written by James Madison, Alexander Hamilton & John Jay 6. Bill of Rights Amendment that would protect the rights of individuals Vocabulary Constitution - plan of government Bicameral - two house; the governor and the legislatures Republic - a government in which citizens rule through elected representatives. Petition - apply to, Congress for statehood Ordinance - law Depreciate - fallen in value Enlightenment - Movement during 1700 s that spread the idea that knowledge, reason, and science could improve society Federalism -
Article - a part of a document, such as the constitution, Legislative branch - Executive branch - the branch of gov., headed by the president that carries out the nation s laws and policies Electoral College - a special group of voters selected by their state's voters to vote for the president and v. president Judicial branch - Checks and balances - Ratify - Federalist - Antifederalist - individuals who opposed ratification of the constitution Amendment - an addition to a formal document
Test Court system judicial branch Introduced virginia plan - Edmund Randolph Law making branch - legislative Enlightened thinker and writer - john locke Movement of angry farmers - shays rebellion Articles of confederation - created continental congress Product of grand committee - great compromise Protect individual rights - bill of rights Presidential electors - electoral college Which state was first to approve constitution - delaware President check congress - vetoing Most distinctive feature - separation of power Movement that influenced constitution - enlightenment Book of essay explaining constitution - federalist papers A period of economic activity slows - depression Law stopped slavery to west - northwest ordinance America's first constitution - articles of confederation Type of legislative two houses - bicameral One of two colonial charter - rhode island Supporters of new constitution's - federalist Keeps from too much power -checks and balances Division of powers - federal system Final authority under federal system - constitution
Presiding officer - george washington How many state needed for law - 9 o/of 13 Northwest ordinance kept slave movement Great compromise - roger sherman Gov. where systems rule - republic 13 states had to approve by 13 states Notes by: Caitlynn Bakewell SCS - 7th Grade - American History
Last edited on 9/27/16 for the 2016-2017 school year.