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Explore the political system of the United States based on the Constitution, including the Constitutional Convention, ratification, and personalities involved. Learn about key issues, ideologies, and compromises, such as the Virginia Plan, New Jersey Plan, 3/5 Compromise, Great Compromise, and the role of the Federalist Papers.
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Describe the political system of the US based on the Constitution of the US COS Standard 4
Chapter 5 Section 2 and 3 Distinguishing personalities, issues, ideologies and compromises related to the Constitutional Convention and the ratification of the Constitution of the US including the role of the Federalist papers.
Personalities • Nationalists • support a stronger central government • George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, James Madison, and Alexander Hamilton • Wanted to revise Articles of Confederation • 12 states sent delegates to Constitutional Convention in 1787
Issues • Edmund Randolph: Virginia Plan • Throw out Articles of Confederation • New national government with power to make laws binding upon the states and to raise its own money through taxes • 3 branches of government • 2 houses • Voters in each state would elect members of the first house, members of the second house would be elected by the first house. • Benefit states with large populations • Number of representatives for each state would reflect the population of that state.
Issues continued • William Paterson: New Jersey Plan • Revise Articles of Confederation • Make central government stronger • One house • States have equal representation • Congress will have power to raise taxes and regulate trade
Issues continued • Congress votes to proceed with Virginia Plan • Problems • Slavery: 3/5 Compromise • Small states versus Big states: Connecticut Compromise better known as Great Compromise
Issues continued • 3/5 Compromise • South wanted to count slaves for representation purposes so they would have more representatives in a state, but slaves cannot vote. • North said if slaves are counted for representation purposes then they should be taxed too. • Every five slaves in a state would count as 3 free persons for representation and taxes. • Cannot ban slave trade until 1808 or impose high taxes on slaves.
Issues continued • Great Compromise • House of Representatives is represented according to size of their populations. • Senate would have equal representation. • Voters elect House of Representatives. • State legislators choose senators. • Constitution was approved by Congress, but 9 of the 13 states had to ratify it.
Constitution • Popular sovereignty: rule by the people. • Federalism: divides the government between the federal (national) government and the state government. • Separation of powers: 3 branches of government • Legislative • Executive • Judicial
Legislative Branch • Makes the laws • Congress: Bicameral: House of Representatives and Senate • Can override a veto with 2/3 votes in both houses • Senate approves/rejects presidential appointments • Congress can impeach and remove an official from office
Executive Branch • Enforces the laws • President and Vice President • Powers of President • Proposing legislation • Appointing judges • Putting down rebellions • Veto
Judicial Branch • Interprets the laws • Court system, Supreme Court • Hears cases arising under federal laws and the Constitution
Checks and Balances • If one branch of government gets too much power, then the other branches must check the power and balance the power out equally.
Amendments • Changes to the Constitution • Two step process for amending the Constitution • Proposal • Ratification • 2/3 of both houses of Congress or 2/3 of the states are needed to amend the Constitution • Proposed amendment must be ratified by ¾ of the state legislatures or the states.
Federalists • Support Constitution • Well organized, supported by newspapers • Federalist Papers • 85 essays written in support of Constitution • Writers: James Madison, Alexander Hamilton and John Jay • Summarized the arguments for ratification of the Constitution
Antifederalists • Against the Constitution • John Hancock, Patrick Henry, Samuel Adams, Edmund Randolph • Wanted a Bill of Rights • Endangers the independence of the states • Negative campaign: no alternative
Ratification • Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia and Connecticut pass quickly. • Massachusetts needs Bill of Rights and an amendment that reserves for the states all powers no specifically granted to the federal government. • Virginia ratifies the Constitution when Bill of Rights are added. • New York agrees when Virginia and New Hampshire ratify the Constitution. • By 1790, all states had ratified the Constitution.