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The Constitution

The Constitution. Wilson Chapter 2A. Key Questions. Who Governs?. To What Ends?. Difference between democracy and republic Branch with the greatest power. Goals the government should serve Freedoms protected. Traditional Liberties. Independent judges Free from quartering Free trade

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The Constitution

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  1. The Constitution Wilson Chapter 2A

  2. Key Questions Who Governs? To What Ends? Difference between democracy and republic Branch with the greatest power Goals the government should serve Freedoms protected

  3. Traditional Liberties • Independent judges • Free from quartering • Free trade • No taxation without representation • Limited government

  4. Colonial Mind • Men are ambitious, greedy, corrupted • Higher law to preserve natural rights • Life • Liberty • Property (pursuit of happiness) • Ideology • Specific violations of the English government

  5. Declaration • Open letter to the world • Explains Social Contract • Blames English government • Asks for independence

  6. Revolution • Legitimate authority • Secure liberties • Consent of the governed • Written constitution • Superior legislative, accountable to the people

  7. Articles • Loose union of independent states • Named “The United States of America” • Single legislature of very limited power • Addition of the Northwest Territories • Northwest Ordinance • Rules for admitting new states • XI - Canada • Abolition of slavery • Mail/trade with countries/indians • Freedom of speech/Rights of accused • Limits: military/titles of nobility • Pay war debts/borrowing money

  8. Failure of Articles • One vote for each state (2-7 delegates) • Dependent on states for tax collection • Powerless to regulate interstate trade • Problems with coining money • Needed state militias • Territorial disputes • States enforced laws • States pick and pay for legislature • No national court system • Amendments required unanimous approval • 9/13 vote required to pass laws • “firm league of friendship”

  9. Constitutional Convention • No accepted political theory • State models • PA – too democratic • MA – too elitist • Madison • Confederacies were too weak to govern • Other governments trampled liberty • Shay’s Rebellion • Veteran rebellion over taxation and foreclosures • Private army, fear of anarchy, debate

  10. Framers • Sent to revise Articles • Concerned about defense of liberty • Feared tyranny of majority • Needed to preserve order • Practical men • Veterans • Confederate Congress • Not the leaders of the Revolution

  11. New Plan Virginia New Jersey Comprehensive Strong national government Direct election Parliamentarian 3 branches Amend not replace Feared under-representation Equality among states State authority

  12. Great Compromise • Connecticut • Settled on new national government • Focus on representation • Divide into 2 houses • House directly elected based on population • Senate indirectly elected equal among states • Electoral College

  13. Constitution Outline • Preamble • Articles • I – Legislative • II – Executive • III – Judicial • IV – Relation Among States • V – Amending Process • VI – National Supremacy • VII – Ratification • Amendments

  14. Readings • Woll pages 40-45 • Limitations of Governmental Power and of Majority rule • Federalist 47, 48, 51

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