Federal Government Chapter 2 Notes
Chapter 2
Declaration of Independence
July 4, 1776
2 central themes
All men are created equal
Gov’t must be based on the govern (citizens)
Continental Congress
1st was on May 1776
Had each colony make their own constitution
Popular sovereignty was referenced a lot
Belief that the gov’t exists to benefit the govern
Citizens have the right to change/overthrow the gov’t
Created a Republic form of gov’t
Representative
Citizens elect people to represent them
2nd
Established our first governing doc.
Articles of Confederation
Lasted 1781-1789
Was written in 1777
Purposely kept the national gov’t weak
Created a Unicameral Congress
1 House/ Congress
Each state had one vote
Delegates were chosen by state legislature
What gov’t could do under AC
Conduct Foreign Affairs
Wage War
Could create postal service
Borrow money
Determine the value of money
What the Nat’l gov’t couldn’t do under AC
Power to enforce policies on states
Federal gov’t couldn’t collect taxes
Congress realizes they need to create a new doc.
Philadelphia, May-Sept 187
55 delegates were there
Every state other than Rhode Island
Meet at the Constitutional Convention
Two main ideas came out
Virginia Plan by James Madison
Strong Central gov’t
Three Branches of gov’t
Checks and balances between the three
Makes sure 1 branch does get too strong
Legislature would be bicameral
Two house
Upper House – Senate
Lower House – House of Representative
Wanted each state to have a # of delegates based on population
Executive (President) would be selected by legislature
Would serve 1 term
Judicial Branch
Would be appointed by Legislature
Serve for life
Counsel of Revision
Members of Executive and Judicial
Review all national and state laws
Have veto power over state laws
National gov’t would be supreme over state gov’t
New Jersey Plan
Willaim Patterson
Unicameral
1 House
Each state has 1 vote
Multiperson executive branch
Chosen by legislature
Judicial
Declaration of Independence
July 4, 1776
2 central themes
All men are created equal
Gov’t must be based on the govern (citizens)
Continental Congress
1st was on May 1776
Had each colony make their own constitution
Popular sovereignty was referenced a lot
Belief that the gov’t exists to benefit the govern
Citizens have the right to change/overthrow the gov’t
Created a Republic form of gov’t
Representative
Citizens elect people to represent them
2nd
Established our first governing doc.
Articles of Confederation
Lasted 1781-1789
Was written in 1777
Purposely kept the national gov’t weak
Created a Unicameral Congress
1 House/ Congress
Each state had one vote
Delegates were chosen by state legislature
What gov’t could do under AC
Conduct Foreign Affairs
Wage War
Could create postal service
Borrow money
Determine the value of money
What the Nat’l gov’t couldn’t do under AC
Power to enforce policies on states
Federal gov’t couldn’t collect taxes
Congress realizes they need to create a new doc.
Philadelphia, May-Sept 187
55 delegates were there
Every state other than Rhode Island
Meet at the Constitutional Convention
Two main ideas came out
Virginia Plan by James Madison
Strong Central gov’t
Three Branches of gov’t
Checks and balances between the three
Makes sure 1 branch does get too strong
Legislature would be bicameral
Two house
Upper House – Senate
Lower House – House of Representative
Wanted each state to have a # of delegates based on population
Executive (President) would be selected by legislature
Would serve 1 term
Judicial Branch
Would be appointed by Legislature
Serve for life
Counsel of Revision
Members of Executive and Judicial
Review all national and state laws
Have veto power over state laws
National gov’t would be supreme over state gov’t
New Jersey Plan
Willaim Patterson
Unicameral
1 House
Each state has 1 vote
Multiperson executive branch
Chosen by legislature
Judicial