Major contributors to social contract theory>>>> Hobbes, Locke, Reasseau
Social Contract Theory>>>> We need food, clothing and shelter to survive and
... [Show More] nothing should interfere with our ability to obtain them. We may also choose to believe in a god. The belief gives definition to our existance. Therefore it is important we define ourselves as individuals.
Enlightenment Influence on Constitution>>>> Bill of Rights and the Second Amendment, Ninth Amendment
Bill of Rights (Enlightenment)>>>> The first eight Bill of Rights
Declaration of Independence (Enlightenment)>>>> people have rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness
Articles of Confederation weaknesses>>>> No executive, no judicial, no power to tax, no power to regulate trade
Articles of Confederation - Strengths>>>> Provided direction for the Revolution, the ability to conduct diplomacy with Europe, and deal with territorial issues and Native American relations.
New Jersey Plan>>>> The proposal at the Constitutional Convention that called for equal representation of each state in Congress regardless of the state's population.
Virginia Plan>>>> Proposal to create a strong national government
Constitutional Convention>>>> A meeting in Philadelphia in 1787 that produced a new constitution
Three-Fifths compromise>>>> Agreement that each slave counted as three-fifths of a person in determining representation in the House for representation and taxation purposes (negated by the 13th amendment). Bicameral congress.
Checks and Balances>>>> A system that allows each branch of government to limit the powers of the other branches in order to prevent abuse of power
Separation of Powers>>>> Constitutional division of powers among the legisla- tive, executive, and judicial branches, with the legislative branch making law, the executive applying and enforcing the law, and the judiciary interpreting the law
Federalists>>>> A term used to describe supporters of the Constitution during ratification debates in state legislatures.
Anti-Federalists>>>> Opponents of the American Constitution at the time when the states were contemplating its adoption.
Ratifying the Constitution>>>> Article VII, 9 out of 13 states had to agree, it was ratified at state conventions [Show Less]