Declaration of independence (grievances):
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Obstruction of self -government
Obstruct the carrying out of justice
Increase power of military to threaten local authority
Articles Of confederation 1781
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A union of state, not people
Unicameral legislature, with each state getting one vote
No federal judiciary
No real president
States get to vote taxes (Article 8)
First Conflict: Federal Government vs. States
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Federalist No.1: powers granted to federal government in articles were inadequate
A more energetic government was desired
Greater independence of election
Power to tax
Power to regulate commerce
Second conflict: The Great compromise
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Virginia (larges state) plan vs. New Jersey (small state) plan
Virginia plan: bicameral legislature (house and Senate), both apportioned by population
New Jersey plan: Unicameral legislature, each state getting equal representation
Third conflict: The other great compromise, Slavery (the three- fifths compromise)
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Article 1, section 2
Article 1, Section 9
Unexpected terms or difference between the US and English constitution
Parliament
Common law
Term of the president- 4 years, chosen by popular vote or state legislature
US senator- 6 years, elected by state legislature
Federalism
Where does sovereignty lie?
Unitary system= sovereignty is DIVIDED between federal government and states
Confederal System= States alone have sovereignty. They can dissolve the federal government if desired.
The article of confederation created a confederal government
Learning to think critically
Critical thinking- the process of forming an opinion after weighing all the relevant facts.
Political science- the systemic study of government and politics
Chapter 2
Constitutional democracy: promoting liberty and Self-Government
Limited government- One that is subject to strict legal limits on the uses of power so that it would not
endanger the people’s liberty.
Representative Government- On in which people would govern through the selection of their
representatives
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Aspiring goals of the founding
Limited government- a government that has legal limit on the use of power, so it doesn’t
endanger the people liberties
Representative government- a government where the people govern through the selection
representatives
The great compromise
The Virginia plan bicameral legislature (two houses)
Based on population, very advantageous for big populous states
The new jersey plan- small state plan
Unicameral legislature (one house)
Based on equal representation; on state, one vote
Great compromise is the best of both plans
The senate= new jersey plan
The three fifths compromise- each slave counts a salve counts as 3/5th of a person
Political. Power in the south increased from 1/3 of the seats in the representatives for the house
and it goes up to 51%
Benefits of federalism
Uniform of standards
Ex. Standard currency(u.s dollar)
Laboratories of democracy
Experiment with policies and pick the best one (cannabis)
Limited government an division of power
Neither the state or the national government hold all the cards
*congress did have the ability to declare war and regulate international
Chapter 9 Voting and political participation in Texas notes
U.S constitution places limitations on state voting laws.
Voting requirementsResident of the state.
Convicted felons and mental incompetence- cannot be
Voter registration requirements
30 days before the election
No same day registration
Voter ID laws
“reasonable impediment” exception
Ongoing controversies
Voter id laws
Motor voter registration
Can now vote online
Purging of voting rolls
The poll tax was overturned by the 24th amendment and eliminated the the poll tax
Mexicans and blacks were assaulted and harassed when trying to vote.
The white primaryDemocratic party excluded minorities from participating in party primary.
One party dominance and essential exclusion
Chapter 10 election process
State election
Held every 2 years
All 150 members of the house of representatives
One half of the Texas senate
Many judges on local counties
Special elections
1. City council, mayoral, and school board elections
a. Usually held in may
2. Constitutional amendment elections
a. Held in January, may, and august.
b. Low voter turnout
3. Single contest elections
a. Used to fill vacancies.
b. Strategic for governors of the legislature