1. Chapter 2
The Constitution

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3. Looking forward… The Colonial Mindset
Men (King George) will seek power because they are ambitious, greedy, and easily corrupted
Colonists sought “natural rights”
Unalienable rights
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What is the meaning of liberty?

4. LC-DIG-ppmsca-02949/Library of Congress
Even before the Revolutionary War, many felt some form of union would be necessary if the rebellious colonies were to survive. In 1774, the Massachusetts Spy portrayed the colonies as segments of a snake that must “Join or Die.” p. 20

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Figure 2.1
North America in 1787

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

7. The Problem of Liberty
Important weaknesses within the Articles of Confederation
League of friendship – no real unity between states
No strong central government
No control of taxation, commerce between states or with foreign nations, money system
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In 1785, John Hancock was elected to the meaningless office of “president” under the Articles and
never showed up to take the job.

8. Weaknesses Continued..
Article II – “Each state retains its sovereignty, freedom, and independence.” Gov’t has no control
Unicameral Congress (one house) with one vote per state
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9. Shays Rebellion
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
Main Idea: Rebellion showed that national gov’t needed a central military to address security of the nation

10. The Constitutional Convention
Original desire was to just revise the articles of confederation
Ended up creating a brand new system of government!
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11. The Challenge
The Virginia Plan–proposal to create a strong national government
3 branches of government
Executive (president) chose by congress (2 houses)
National legislature has power of states
The New Jersey Plan–proposal to create a weak national government
Left articles virtually unchanged
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12. The Solution The Great Compromise (Connecticut)
Popularly-elected house based on state population
State-elected senate, with two members for each state
Making Congress bicameral = 2 parts
Electoral college – new system would select the president
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Also known as the Great Compromise or the Connecticut Compromise

13. The Constitution and Democracy
Created a republic
Representative Democracy
Key principles
Federalism: federal/state sharing power
Separation of powers of three branches
Enumerated powers
Reserved powers
Concurrent powers
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What is the difference between a direct democracy and a representative democracy? Why did the Framers prefer a republic?

14. The Constitution and Democracy
Checks and Balances: each branch of government has the power to check or limit the actions of the other two. each branch of gov't has a certain number of checks it can use to ensure the other branches do not become too powerful.
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16. Separation of Powers
Separation of Powers: dividing the government among different branches of government. to prevent one branch of government from gaining too much power (usurping)
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17. The Constitution and Slavery
Needed southern states for ratification (approval) of constitution
Three-Fifths Compromise
Slave populations would help add to population for house of representatives
Slaves can only count as 3/5ths a person though
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Deck of a slave ship captured in Thousands of slaves died on such ships.
Image: North Wind Picture Archives/Alamy

18. The Constitution and Liberty
Federalists
“Nationalists”
Strong national government
View liberty as protected by large republic
Moderate coalitions
Antifederalists
States’ rights advocates
Prefer small republic or confederation
Need to limit central powers
Bill of rights
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19. Ratification of the Federal Constitution by State Constitutions, 1787–1790
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Figure 2.2

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21. How to amend (change) the constitution
Most common method used
2/3 vote of both houses of congress must approval the amendment language
¾ of all state legislatures must also ratify the amendment
Very difficult threshold to meet…
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22. Federalist 10 vs. Brutus 1
Ratification was a struggle between various states with close votes
Many contentious issues as previously stated
Various political leaders including Alexander Hamilton (Federalists) and unknown authors (Brutus/Ant-Federalists) attempted to persuade sides to vote yes or no against ratification…
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23. Brutus and Federalist 10
Quick Write: Which one of these founding documents above support either participatory democracy or elite democracy? Explain your reasoning…
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24. Brutus 1 and Fed 10 Summary
Federalist 10: focused on the superiority of a large republic in controlling the “mischiefs of faction,” delegating authority to elected representatives and dispersing power between the states and national government.
Answer: Elite
Brutus 1: adhered to popular democratic theory that emphasized the benefits of a small decentralized republic while warning of the dangers to personal liberty from a large, centralized government.
Answer: Participatory
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25. Federalist 10 vs. Brutus 1 Essay
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