1. American Government
The Constitution
You think you know…

2. Declaration of Independence
American Government
Written by Thomas Jefferson
Inspired by John Locke
Natural Rights,
Constitutionalism,
Constitutional democracy,
Republic (Representative democracy): a gov. where people elect those who govern to make and pass laws.

3. British Colonial Rule
American Government
Unitary System – all power flows from one central government
Powerful British Government
Political Subunits (Colonies)

4. Articles of Confederation
American Government
1781 – 1789 – RIP
Confederate System – power concentrated in political subunits (states) with a weak central government (typically unite for a common goal)

5. Constitution
American Government
Federal System – powers are divided and/or shared between state and central governments (Current gov’t designed by framers)
Central US government
State governments

6. Articles of Confederation
American Government
Unicameral
Most power rests in state legislatures
No power to tax
No regulation of foreign or interstate trade
No national currency
No national defense

7. Weaknesses Could not repay war debts National economy stagnant
Confederacy is only a “firm league of friendship”.
States maintain “full sovereignty”
“Friends with Benefits vs. Marriage”

8. Shays’s Rebellion
American Government
Colonies were in debt after the war, central gov’t tried to raise taxes
Farmers in western Massachusetts rebelled against tax they could not afford
Rebelled against foreclosures, forced judges out of court, freed debtors from jail
Showed that national gov’t was weak, needed to seek a stronger national gov’t

9. The Constitutional Convention
American Government
1787
Revising the A of C
Demographics of Delegates
-55 delegates (none from RI)
-33 Lawyers
-half were college graduates
-7 former governors
-7 plantation owners
-8 business leaders
-age (avg. age 42)
-all male, all white

10. Two “Revision” Plans Virginia Plan Favored large states
American Government
Virginia Plan
Favored large states
Strong central government
Bicameral (two house) legislature – larger house elected by the people (House of Representatives, and a smaller house that was selected by larger house (Senate)
(This would change in the 17th Amendment)

11. Two “Revision” Plans New Jersey Plan
American Government
New Jersey Plan
Agreed with strong central government…BUT
Congress would be unicameral (one house) with states having equal votes
Did not want large population states to dominate the legislature

12. Great Compromise
American Government
A bicameral legislature in which the House of Representatives membership apportioned according to the state populations, plus 3/5 the slave population
An upper house, the Senate, which would have two members from each state, elected by the state legislature (popularly elected today)

13. Three-fifths Compromise
American Government
Agree to allow the South to count 3/5 of the slave population in each state to balance the power of North and South

14. Madisonian Principles of Gov’t in the Constitution
American Government
Liberty- The idea of freedom of movement and expression
Popular Sovereignty – power to govern belongs to the people, gov’t based on the consent of governed
Separation of Powers – division of gov’t between branches: executive, legislative and judicial
Checks and Balances – a system where branches have some authority over others
Limited Government – gov’t is not all-powerful, and it does only what citizens allow

15. Madisonian principles
Federalism – division of power between central government and individual state
Individualism- the idea that people should take responsibility for their own advancement and that rights inhere in persons, not groups.
Laissez-faire economics- espouses limited gov in market activities.

16. Separation of Powers Prevents an all-powerful ruling body
American Government
Prevents an all-powerful ruling body
Article I Legislature – passes law (Congress)
Article II Executive – enforces law (President)
Article III Judiciary – interprets law (Supreme Court)

17. The Constitution
Article IV The full faith and credit clause requires that the legislative and judicial actions of one state be honored by the other states. Additionally, a citizen of any state has the same privileges as citizens of all the other states. Article IV also provides for adding new states to the union, guarantees each state a republican form of government, and ensures protection against invasion or domestic violence.
“ Full Faith and Credit shall be given in each State to the public Acts, Records, and judicial Proceedings of every other State. And the Congress may by general Laws prescribe the Manner in which such Acts, Records and Proceedings shall be proved, and the Effect thereof. “

18. The Constitution Article V Process for Amending the Constitution.
2/3 majority of the House and Senate
2/3 majority of State Conventions

19. The Constitution
Article VI States that the Constitution is the Supreme Law of the Land
“Supremacy Clause”
“establishes that the Constitution, federal laws made pursuant to it, and treaties made under its authority, constitute the supreme law of the land.”

20. Fed vs. Anti-Fed Ratification – formal approval
American Government
Ratification – formal approval
Federalist – in favor of adoption of US Constitution creating a federal union and strong central government
Anti-Federalist – opposed to ratification in 1787, opposed to strong central government

21. Federalist Papers Best political theory ever written in US
American Government
Best political theory ever written in US
Written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay
Publius
Convince public for ratification

22. Federalist #10 Madison addresses biggest fear of gov’t
American Government
Madison addresses biggest fear of gov’t
Faction – a group in a legislature or political party acting together in pursuit of some special interest (think fraction – ½, 1/3, etc)
Founding fathers were concerned that our government would be ripped apart
Madison defends our national Constitution

23. Federalist #10 Separation of Powers check the growth of tyranny
American Government
Separation of Powers check the growth of tyranny
Each branch of government keeps the other two from gaining too much power
A republic guards against irresponsible direct democracy or “common passions”
Factions will always exist, but must be managed to not sever from the system.

24. Anti-Fed Response Central gov’t would threaten liberty
American Government
Central gov’t would threaten liberty
Aristocratic tyranny could happen
Demanded a guarantee of individual rights and liberty
States power was too limited

25. Bill of Rights 10 amendments to the Constitution
American Government
10 amendments to the Constitution
guaranteed individual freedoms and rights
limited power of national government, guaranteed rights to states
Ratified in 1789, Bill of Rights added 1791

26. The Preamble
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.