1. 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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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)

7. 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?