Creation of the Constitution Articles of Confederation (1786) Losing effectiveness, unstable and lacking authority, needed a stronger central gov Federalists * supported the idea of a stronger national government * included Washington, Adams, Madison, Hamilton, Jay * believed states held too much power Anti-Federalists * supported stronger states’ rights * smaller states worried about power of larger states WEAKNESSES 1. couldn’t collect taxes 2. independence maintained by states 3. 1 vote per state 4. 9/13 vote to pass anything 5. not enough $$ collected by Congress 6. small army dependent on militias 7. territorial disputes b/w states 8. all 13 agree to amendment

Constitutional convention Virginia Plan (Madison) New Jersey Plan (Patterson) Strong national government with one executive leader Bicameral legislature (2 houses) with reps based on population All current powers, plus powers to settle disputes between states Would have power to veto state laws that contradicted the laws on congress Unicameral legislature (one house) based on population 2 representatives from each state would serve for 4 years President would serve for 4 years and the electoral College (made up of reps and Senators) would choose president

Great Compromise Proposed by Roger Sherman (Connecticut) Bicameral legislature - House of representatives (lower house) based on population and would serve for 2 years - Senate (upper house) 2 representatives from each state and would serve for 6 years - President would serve for 4 years and electoral college (made up for reps and senators) would choose the president

Federalism KEY POINTS Founders did NOT intend to create a direct democracy Mistrusted public passions and were concerned about securing minority rights Believed people would seek their own advantage (in and out of politics) Intended to create a representative government Factionalism could be harnessed to provide a source of unity and guarantee liberty This compromise established federalism (sharing of power between states and central government). Established that Congress could: * Levy and Collect taxes * Settle disputes among states * Negotiate with foreign nations * Set standards for citizenship * Has veto power over state laws This is fundamental to the Framers belief in an elite democracy

Constitutional debates – economic gain There is much debate surrounding the intent of the framers of the constitution to exclusively support their economic interests. There is the argument that those who supported the constitution expected to benefit economically from it and that was the foundation for ratification The counterargument is that while the founding fathers expected to benefit economically, this was not their main motivation in ratifying the constitution Most likely to support: * merchants * urban * western land owners * holders of gov IOUs * non-slave owners Most likely to oppose: * farmers * non-holders of IOUs * slave owners

Constitutional debates – church and state Anti - Federalists federalists Similar to today’s religious conservatives Attacked constitutional ban on religious tests for public office Opposed the 1st Amendment prohibition of the establishment of a national religion Argued that the constitution should permit religious pluralism Did not advocate the total separation of church and state Favored a government that struck a balance among different religions (with no one using power of gov to persecute other faiths)

Constitutional debates – reform Problem Proposed Solution Urgent problems can’t be solved because of gridlock Gov Agencies are exposed to undue interference from legislators and special interests Reduce the separation of powers to enhance national leadership President should be more powerful and held accountable to voters This would allow the government to be more proactive and decisive Results are uncertain – would this make the problem worse?