Federal/Central Gov’. – Areas to Address, 1 of 2 Revise Articles of Confederation or start with a new document

1. Class 11 of 12, Some of the Issues/Subjects That Had to be Addressed at the Constitutional Convention • Pros & Cons of Current & Past • Governmental Forms/ Lessons • Learned • Dictatorship • Monarchies (Benevolent & • otherwise) • Theocracy • Socialism • Democracy • Republic • Combinations/hybrids • Deficiencies of Articles of Confederation • States retained considerable power • Central Government (CG) had insufficient power to • regulate commerce • CG couldn’t settle commercial policy • CG couldn’t tax – not $ to do anything • CG couldn’t support a war effort • CG couldn’t settle disputes between the states • Bottom line – was a weak alliance • The Federalist Papers – 85 of them • Applicable Wisdom From the Bible • Human nature • Government • Government leaders • Citizen duties • Godly principles & knowledge • Christian duties • Inalienable rights of individuals • Morality • Absolute/objective truth • Laws of Nature and nature’s God (Bible) • Federal/Central Gov’. – Areas to Address, 1 of 2 • Revise Articles of Confederation or start with a • new document • Types/forms of Government • Strength of Central Government (CG) • Powers of the various branches of Government • Control by wealthy (white) men? • Making Government responsive • to all the people • Limitations of powers • Branches/Distribution of powers • Checks & balances • Protection of “people” rights • Protection of “States” rights • Inclusion of Bill of Rights • Addressing of “fears & concerns” about • political/power, economics, national defense, etc. • Addressing large and small state concerns • How compromise? • Regional issues (I.e. slaves, economics/commerce) e • Slavery importation/abolishment • Regulation of commerce • Amending of the Constitution • Handling of Christian principles • and freedom of religion • Incorporation of many diverse • views & prejudices • Federal/Central Gov’. – Areas to Address. 2 of2 • Titles, terms, duties, etc. of leadership • Distribution of power/roles of branches • of Government. • How elect or appoint • Review of various proposals or plans • (i.e. the Virginia Plan, the NJ Plan, Hamilton’s • Plan or the British Model, etc.) • Veto powers • Don’t want CG to swallow state sovereignty • Method of voting for/electing candidates for • office • Import & export taxes • Writing and editing of the Constitution • Foreign affairs • Daily or regular functions/services • Education • “Public welfare” – This term scared many • Writings of Philosophies, • Historians, and Others • Writing of Jesus & N.T. • Writers • John Locke • Montesquieu • Hume • Plutarch • Cato • Beccaria • DeLolme • Puffendorf • James Harrington • Federalists • Anti-Federalists • Constitutions & Documents • Related to Government • The Bible • Magna Carta/Charta • Blackstone’s Commentaries • Colonial State Constitutions • The Federalist Papers – 85 of them • (This is one of the best resources • on the intentions of the framers of • the Constitution • Addressing all Fears & Concerns • Democracy problems • Usurping of power by individuals & branches • Declining morality • Establishment of a National Denomination • Usurping state & people rights • Future loopholes • Religious intolerance & persecution