The Constitution

1. Edwards, Wattenberg, and Lineberry Government in America: People, Politics, and Policy Fourteenth Edition The Constitution Chapter 2

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5. Constitution • Definition A constitution is a nation’s basic law It creates political institutions Divides powers in government • Sets the broad rules of the game

6. THE “REAL” REVOLUTION (IDEOLOGY ) LEGITIMATE GOVERNMENT AUTHORITY SOCIAL CONTRACT THEORY HUMAN LIBERTY PRECEDED GOVERNMENT LEGISLATIVE BRANCH MOST IMPORTANT THEY REPRESENTED THE PEOPLE

7. Origins of the American Revolutiuon • The Road to Revolution • Tax increases after French and Indian War • Colonists lacked direct representation

8. HOBBES LOCKE ROUSSEAU The Social Contract

9. Origins of the Constitution

10. DECLARING INDEPENDNCE • Second Continental Congress met • The Declaration of Independence (adopted on July 4, 1776)

11. CH 2 SUM EARLY U.S POLITICS DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE (1776) WRITTEN BY THOMAS JEFFERSON PHILOSOPHICAL JUSTIFICATION LIST OF GRIEVANCES ACTION TO BE TAKEN 1-PHILOSOPHY 2-GRIEVANCES 3-ACTION

15. The American Revolution • It was a “Conservative” Revolution • Restored rights colonists felt they had lost • Not a major change of government • Winning Independence • Revolutionary War 1776-1783 • US wins (Thanks to France, Russia. & others)

16. CH 2 SUM ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION WRITTEN IN 1777, RATIFIED IN 1781 “FIRM LEAGUE OF FRIENDSHIP” SINGLE-CHAMBER CONGRESS NO EXECUTIVE NO NATIONAL COURTS

20. Day 1 goal

21. The Articles of Confederation • First document to govern United States • Government power rested in the states • Confederate Government was weak TOO WEAK!

22. WEAKNESSES OFTHE ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION NO POWER TO TAX NO REGULATION OF COMMERCE EACH STATE INDEPENDENT ONE VOTE PER STATE 9 / 13 REQUIRED TO PASS LAWS STATE MILITIA BASED MILITARY NO JUDICIAL SYSTEM UNANIMOUS AMENDMENT PROCESS

23. THE CRITICAL PERIOD NAT. GOV’T TOO WEAK ECONOMY WAS STAGNATE SHAY’S REBELLION U.S. BEGAN TO DISSOLVE

24. Changes in the States • Liberalized voting laws • Expanding economic middle class • Ideas of equality accepted • Concept of ‘democracy’ spread

25. The Miracle at Philadelphia • Members of the Constitutional Convention • 55 men from 12 of the 13 states • Mostly wealthy planters and merchants • Most were college graduates with some political experience • Many were coastal residents from the larger cities, not the rural areas

26. Declaration of Independence • 56 signers • 38 English • 18 were non-English • 8 were not born in the colonies

28. JAMES MADISON “FATHER OF THE CONSTITUTION” AND FOURTH U.S. PRESIDENT

29. Origins of the Constitution • The English Heritage: The Power of Ideas • Natural rights • Consent of the governed • Limited Government

30. The Philadelphia Convention • Constitution reflected certain beliefs • Self interest is Human Nature • Political conflict lead to factions • The objectives of government, includes preservation of property and community • Nature of Government was to rule

31. Basic Ideas of the Constitution • Separation of powers between three branches. • Checks and balances provide oversight. • Government takes the form of a federal system. • National Powers & State Powers

32. Montesquieu: The Spirit of Laws

33. LIMITED GOVERNMENT • DIVIDED POWERS • LEGISLATIVE BRANCH • EXECUTIVE BRANCH • JUDICIAL BRANNCH

34. GEORGE WASHINGTON PRESIDING OFFICER OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION AND FIRST U.S. PRESIDENT

35. NEW JERSEY REPRESENTATIVE TO THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION

36. The Compromises in Philadelphia • Representation of the States • New Jersey Plan—equal representation • Virginia Plan —population-based • Connecticut Compromise • Slavery • Left up to each state • Three-fifths compromise • Slave Trade compromise

45. Day 2 Goal

46. CONSTITUTION CREATED ‘FEDERALISM’

47. CONSTITUTION CREATED A REPUBLIC NOT A ‘DEMOCRACY’

49. THE FRAMERS' MOTIVATIONS ? THEIR OWN SELF INTEREST ? CHARLES BEARD STATE ECONOMIC CONCERNS ? MORE RECENT RESEARCH PRACTICAL POLITICS ? (ROCHE) HAD TO GET STATES’ APPROVAL