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Chapter 2

Chapter 2. The Constitution. The American Revolution. Anger w/ Britain British politics were corrupt Effects of French & Indian War Representation Natural rights: life, liberty, property Complaints against King George (D of I). B) Independence: Now What? Articles of Confederation

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Chapter 2

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  1. Chapter 2 The Constitution

  2. The American Revolution • Anger w/ Britain • British politics were corrupt • Effects of French & Indian War • Representation • Natural rights: life, liberty, property • Complaints against King George (D of I)

  3. B) Independence: Now What? • Articles of Confederation • A confederation is an association of sovereign member states that, by treaty, have delegated certain of their competences (or powers) to common institutions. • Gov’t by consent • Direct grant of power (states) • Human liberty before government • Legislative Branch

  4. C) Weaknesses of Confederation • Could not levy taxes • Could not regulate trade • State sovereignty • 9 of 13 votes needed (too much) • Delegates picked to Congress • No uniform currency • Small army • Territorial disputes (who settles) • No judicial system • Amendments needed all 13 votes

  5. Constitutional Convention • Articles needed amending Why? Shays’s Rebellion, economic collapse, Judicial system needed • Framers • Intent: Social Contract Theory • Popular consent could not guarantee liberty • Why?

  6. Delicate problem: “A need for stronger government to maintain order, but one that would not threaten liberty.” Problems • Direct democracy not the solution • Aristocracy bad • Gov’t w/ constitutional limits may not protect against tyrants

  7. Solutions A)The Virginia Plan • True National Gov’t • 2 house legislature w/ supreme powers • One house directly elected • Executive chosen by legislature • Council w/ veto power • Votes equal to state population

  8. B) New Jersey Plan • Sought to amend articles • One vote per state • Protect small states’ interests • No executive C) Compromise • 2 house Legislature • House of Reps based on pop • Senate—2/state • Executive to be determined

  9. The Final Solution National Government • Federalism • Power distributed between national, state, and local levels How does this appease both sides? • Federalism enables one level of gov’t to act as a check on the other.

  10. B) National Gov’t • Fear of being too strong • How to limit its power and protect the states? • Checks & Balances—3 branches: Executive, Legislative, Judicial • Great Compromise • Electoral College to choose President • Commerce Clause • Bill of Rights • Amendments • Delegated, Reserved, Concurrent Powers

  11. Political Parties • The ratification of the Constitution gave rise to the 1st political parties • Federalists • Supported the establishment of a strong central gov’t • Supported full ratification of Constitution • Bill of Rights needed? NO

  12. B) Anti-Federalists • Nat’l gov’t too distant from smaller states • Nat’l gov’t would annihilate state functions • More restrictions needed • Bill of Rights is needed (especially 10th) • Proper method of counting population (3/5th Compromise) • Commerce Compromise • Presidential powers (feared a new type of king)

  13. People Support What type of people supported the Constitution? • Merchants, urbanites, owners of western land, holders of gov’t IOU’s, non slave owners What type of people opposed? • Farmers, people who held no IOU’s, slave owners

  14. Constitutional Problems (Today) • Separation of power dilutes leadership • Urgent problems caught up in “red tape” • President too weak • Lobbyists interfering w/ gov’t agencies (bureaucracy) • Too much preference to individual wants over general needs • House term too short • Presidential term too short or too long

  15. Constitutional Reform (Today) • Cabinet chosen from Congress • Allow President to dissolve Congress • Empower Congress to require special Presidential election • Establish single 6 year term for President • Lengthen term in House to four years • Limit amount of collectible taxes • Require a balanced budget • Grant President a true line-item veto • Narrow authority of federal courts List one positive and one negative for each reform stated.

  16. Constitutional Thought • How well has this document worked? • How has it compared with other governments in history?

  17. Questions The weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation surfaced during the Critical Period of American History. Write three questions that will help you understand why so many leaders of the day urged a stronger national government. It is 1788. Write a letter to the editor of your local paper in which you express your opinion on whether the Constitution should be ratified. Which Amendments (explain) contradict the “We the People” statement in the Constitution? In order for a federal type of government to function properly, are the following needed: checks & balances, The Bill of Rights, and reserved powers to the states?

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