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Explore the journey of the U.S. Constitution, from the Articles of Confederation to the Great Compromise, highlighting key features, such as checks and balances, federalism, and powers granted. Delve into the debate between Federalists and Anti-federalists, examining how the Constitution protects liberty while balancing governmental powers.
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The Constitution and the Founding • Purpose of a Constitution?
The Articles of Confederation – Adopted November, 1777 • Little more than a loose alliance between the states • Specific Features
Articles of Confederation • Other problems: • Economic Conditions • Political Conditions
The Problem: How best to secure liberty? How much power should government have? Proposal One: The Virginia Plan Proposal Two: The New Jersey Plan The Great Compromise
Principles embodied in the Constitution • Popular Consent • Rule of Law • Republicanism • National Supremacy (Supremacy Clause – Article VI) • Federalism • Separation of powers • Checks and Balances
Examples of Checks & Balances • Congress – How can Congress check the powers of the other branches? • President – How can the President check the powers of the other two? • Supreme Court – How can the Court check the powers of the other two?
Background: James Madison and the “Federalist Papers” • Factions and the “tyranny of the majority” • Solution:
Federalists versus Anti-federalists • How is liberty best achieved?
Powers granted by the Constitution • Delegated • Reserved • Implied • Affirmed in McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)
Specific Limitations placed upon the Federal Government • Cannot suspend writ of habeus corpus • Cannot pass a bill of attainder • Cannot pass an ex post facto law
The Missouri Constitution • 1820 • 1865 • 1875 • 1945