Describe the political system of the US based on the Constitution of the US COS Standard 4

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. Chapter 5 Section 2 and 3

Personalities Nationalists Wanted to revise Articles of Confederation 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 mixing the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan Small states versus Big states: Connecticut Compromise better known as Great Compromise Problems Slavery: 3/5 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 (Connecticut 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

Separations of Powers

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, Sam 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.