1. 1. Describe the context of the political cartoon (Who? What?
When? Where?)
2. Identify and discuss the cartoonist's message. What bias(es) can
you detect?
3. Do you agree or disagree with the cartoonist's message? Explain your
answer.
4. What does this cartoon say about democracy?
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2. Chapter Two
The Constitution

3. The Constitution The Problem of Liberty The Constitutional Convention
The Challenges and Compromises
The Constitution and Democracy
The Constitution and Liberty
The Motives of the Framers
Constitutional Reform: Modern Views
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4. The Colonial Mind
Americans at the time of the Revolutionary war saw the conflict clearly in terms of political rather than economic issues (even though there were arguments about taxation). It was a war of ideology.
The Declaration of Independence was essentially a list of grievances against King George III and a demand for certain unalienable rights- that is rights based on nature and Providence and not on the whims or preferences of people (this was based on Lockean philosophy).
The unalienable rights were stated by Jefferson as life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness (originally property).
England was not seen as being able to protect these rights, due to an unwritten and unenforced constitution, so a break was needed.
In 1776 eight states adopted written constitutions and within a few years all the states had constitutions except for CT and RI.
Most state constitutions had a Bill of Rights protecting personal liberties.
The country as a whole existed under the first constitution which was the Articles of Confederation- “a firm league of friendship”.
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5. Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation
Could not levy taxes or regulate commerce
Sovereignty, independence retained by states
One vote in a unicameral Congress for each state
Nine of thirteen votes in Congress required for any measure
Delegates to Congress picked, paid for by state legislatures
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6. More Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation
Little money coined by Congress
Army small and dependent on independent state militias
Territorial disputes between states led to open hostilities
No national judicial system and no executive branch (John Hancock first “president”…didn’t show up for duties)
All thirteen states’ consent necessary for any amendments
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7. SHAY’S REBELLION
A group of ex-Revolutionary soldiers and officers (farmers), plagued by debts and high taxes and fearful of losing their property to creditors and tax collectors, forcibly prevented the courts in western MA from sitting.
The governor of MA asked the Continental Congress to send troops to suppress the rebellion, but it could not raise the money or manpower.
George Washington famously said: “For God’s sake, if they have real grievances, redress them: if they have not, employ the force of government against them at once.”
Finally private funds were raised and a volunteer militia was hired to disperse the rebels.
This caused fear for the weaknesses of the state governments and the Articles of Confederation.
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8. The Constitutional Convention
The Framers (55) attending: men of practical affairs, including Continental army veterans and members of the Congress of the Confederation (RI refused to send a delegate)
An entirely new constitution was written, although gathering was authorized only to revise the Articles of Confederation
Primary concern was with defense of liberty as a natural right (Lockean reasoning)

9. Plans and Compromises The Virginia Plan The New Jersey Plan
National legislature with supreme powers
One house elected directly by the people
The New Jersey Plan
One vote per state
Protect small states’ interests
The Connecticut (Great) Compromise
House of Representatives based on population
Two Senators per state, elected by state legislatures
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10. Two Key Principles of Government
Founders did not intent to create a direct democracy
Popular rule only in House of Representatives
Separation of Powers: between branches- executive, legislative and judicial
Federalism: power divided between national and state governments
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11. Three Categories of Constitutional Powers
Enumerated powers: given to national government exclusively (written out); include power to print money, declare war, make treaties, conduct foreign affairs
Reserved powers: given to states exclusively; include power to issue licenses and to regulate commerce wholly within a state
Concurrent powers: shared by both national and state governments; include collecting taxes, building roads, borrowing money, having courts
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12. The Antifederalist View
“states’-righters” were not in favor of the Constitution
Liberty could be secure only in small republics
Nation needed, at best, a loose confederation of states with most of the power wielded by the state legislatures
If there was a strong national government, there should be many more restrictions on it (eg a Bill of Rights)
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13. Federalist Views Federalist Papers 10 and 51
Written in response to anti-federalist views
Coalitions were more likely to be moderate because they would represent a diversity of interests
Governments should be somewhat distant from the passions of the people
No bill of rights was necessary
“ambition must be made to counteract ambition” with a balance of powers
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14. Map 2.2: Ratification of the Federal Constitution by State Conventions, 1787-1790
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15. The Constitution and Slavery
The word “slavery” never mentioned in Constitution
House of Representatives Apportionment: 3/5 Compromise
Congress could not prohibit slave trade before 1808
Fugitive Slave Clause- slaves must be returned to owners if they escape
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17. Formal Amendment Process
The four different ways by which amendments may be added to the Constitution are shown here (shows that a balance of federal and state support necessary for change): 26 1