S.S Study Sheet

Federalism- Federalism is a government that is divided into two separate governments. Checks and balances is a system where each branch of government checks on each other to make sure that they are not overusing their power. One example is that if the legislative branch wants to make a law it has to be approved by the President first. The legislative branch is to make laws and controls how the government spends its money. The Executive branch is to enforce laws. The Judicial branch is the supreme court they make sure laws are fair for everyone. People who supported the constitution were Federalists. The people who did not like the idea of the constitution and wanted a smaller government are known as Anti-Federalist. Those who supported the Constitution and a stronger national republic were known as Federalists. Those who did not like the Constitution in favor of small localized government were known as Anti-Federalists. The anti-federalists wanted a Bill of Rights. The state governments had most of the power under the Articles, with little power given to the central government. The US constitution was made to guarantee the rights of US citizens. Like freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and so on. The Bill of Rights was the first ten amendments in our US constitution. The 1st amendment protected us from freedom of speech, religion, and the right of the people to peaceably assemble. ⅗ Compromise allowed pro-slavery states to have a disproportionate influence on the presidency, the Supreme Court, and other positions of power. We the people have the power according to the preamble. The Great Compromise created two legislative bodies in Congress. Land Ordinance of 1785 was the process by which lands west of the Appalachian Mountains were to be surveyed and sold. The Northwest Ordinance of 1787 was the outline process for admitting a new state to the Union and guaranteed that newly created states would be equal to the original thirteen states. Congress did not have the power to tax. Congress did not have the power to regulate foreign and interstate commerce. There was no executive branch to enforce any acts passed by Congress. There was no national court system or judicial branch. Shay's Rebellion showed the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation. When the central government couldn't put down the rebellion, the first stirrings of federalism began to gather strength. The Virginia Plan was supported by the larger states because of the resolution for proportional representation. The large States supported the New Jersey plan. Under the New Jersey Plan, the unicameral legislature with one vote per state was inherited from the Articles of Confederation. Senators represent their entire states, but members of the House represent individual districts. The number of districts in each state is determined by a state's population. Each state has a minimum of one representative in Congress. The elastic clause was a statement in the Us Constitution granting Congress the power to pass all laws necessary. The supreme law of the land said that nobody is above the law and the people are the decision-makers. The electoral college is the system that our US government used to elect the president. There are a total of 538 Electoral votes. In order to win you need a simple majority what is 270 votes. If neither candidate gets to 270 then the House Of Representatives chooses the President. Impeach means to accuse the President of a crime. The House Of Representatives can impeach the President. The Senate conducts the trial. You need ⅔ vote to convict and remove the President from office. Delegated Powers: Establish Foreign policy Concurrent Powers: Levy Taxes Reserved Powers: Establish local governments President must have been born in the US. The President enforces the laws. The President's term in office is four years. Maximum of 2 terms (22 amendments) Must be 35 years old, a resident of the United States for at least 14 years. Judicial Branch- 1 Chief Justice and 8 Associate Justices. The President opponents Justices, but Congress must approve the appointments. Justices serve for life. Legislative Branch- Makes laws, declares war, regulates interstate and foreign commerce, and controls taxing and spending policies. Congress carries the power of the purse. Which is the ability to tax and spend public money for the national government. New York Senators Charles Schumer, Kristen Gillibrand. 2 house of congress, house of representatives, and the senate. 1-Freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition. 2-Right to keep and bear arms in order to maintain a well-regulated militia. 3-No quartering of soldiers. 4-Freedom from unreasonable searches and seizures. 5-Right to due process of law, freedom from self-incrimination, double jeopardy. 6-Rights of accused persons, right to a speedy and public trial. 7-Right of trial by jury in civil cases. 8-Freedom from excessive bail, cruel and unusual punishments. 9-Other rights of the people. 10-Powers reserved to the states.