Motives of the Framers Chapter 2, Theme D

Copyright © 2011 Cengage  WHO GOVERNS? 1. What is the difference between a democracy and a republic? 2. What branch of government has the greatest power?  TO WHAT ENDS? 1. Does the Constitution tell us what goals the government should serve? 2. Whose freedom does the Constitution protect?

Copyright © 2011 Cengage The Motives of the Framers This late-eighteenth- century cartoon shows the enthusiasm many people had for their new Constitution The Granger Collection

Economic Interests  Modest role  Varied widely  Beard: Framers expected to benefit economically  No clear division along class lines support this claim  Recent research shows st. econ. gain outweighed personal gain (EX. Slaves)

Elbridge Gerry (left, 1744–1814) was a wealthy Massachusetts merchant and politician who participated in the convention but refused to sign the Constitution. James Wilson (right, 1742–1798) of Pennsylvania, a brilliant lawyer and terrible businessman, was the principal champion of the popular election of the House. Near the end of his life, he was jailed repeatedly for debts incurred as a result of his business speculations. Copyright © 2011 Cengage Bettmann/CORBISHulton Archive/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Economic Interests  These interests played into the ratifying conventions  Who supported the Constitution?  Merchants, urban, western landowners, held gov’t IOUs, abolitionists  Who opposed the Constitution?  Farmers, debtors, slave owners

The Constitution was silent about slavery, and so buying and selling slaves continued until Copyright © 2011 Cengage Chicago Historical Society

Equality  Slaves not mentioned—see your notes on compromises. Why?  How are women protected by the Constitution?  Is our Government too weak to protect equality due to special interests?  Does a strong government create inequality or prevent it?

Modern Reforms  Reduce separation of powers?  Eliminate gridlock  Limit interference with government agencies—Discuss summer IRS blog  Make president stronger & more accountable with powers over the Congress.

Modern Reforms  Suggestions to reduce separation of powers?  Amend the Constitution to allow members of Congress to be in Cabinet  Allow the President to dissolve an ineffective Congress and hold special elections  Allow Congress to call for a loss of confidence vote in the President  Allow Congress & President to run as a ticket in each district  Allow the President only one 6-year term  Lengthen the HOR term to 4-years instead of 2

Modern Reforms  Suggestions for making the system less democratic?  Limit by law taxes collected each year  Require a balanced budget  President should regain rescission authority through a line-item veto  Clinton et. al. v. New York et. al.  Limit the power of courts

CT Exercises Quiz 1.Using question #10, part 1, how many days does Congress have to determine if the President is fit to return to his job? 2.Explain your answer for #7, part 2 by showing the math. 3.Who chooses the President if no one wins an electoral college majority? (#6, part 2) 4.What is the answer to #3b in part 1? 5.What is the answer to #8 in part 2?

BOR Projects assigned. Due October 10 th !