Describe the political system of the US based on the Constitution of the US

Chapter 5 Section 2 and 3

 Nationalists  support a stronger central government  George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, James Madison, and Alexander Hamilton  Wanted to revise Articles of Confederation  12 states sent delegates to Constitutional Convention in 1787

 Edmund Randolph: Virginia Plan  Throw out Articles of Confederation  New national government with power to make laws binding upon the states and to raise its own money through taxes  3 branches of government  2 houses ▪ Voters in each state would elect members of the first house, members of the second house would be elected by the first house.  Benefit states with large populations ▪ Number of representatives for each state would reflect the population of that state.

 William Paterson: New Jersey Plan  Revise Articles of Confederation  Make central government stronger  One house ▪ States have equal representation  Congress will have power to raise taxes and regulate trade

 Congress votes to proceed with Virginia Plan  Problems  Slavery: 3/5 Compromise  Small states versus Big states: Connecticut Compromise better known as Great Compromise

 Great Compromise  House of Representatives is represented according to size of their populations.  Senate would have equal representation.  Voters elect House of Representatives.  State legislators choose senators.

 3/5 Compromise  South wanted to count slaves for representation purposes so they would have more representatives in a state, but slaves cannot vote.  North said if slaves are counted for representation purposes then they should be taxed too.  Plan for counting slaves  Every five slaves in a state would count as 3 free persons for representation and taxes.  Cannot ban slave trade until 1808 or impose high taxes on slaves.

 Constitution was approved by Congress, but 9 of the 13 states had to ratify it.

 Popular sovereignty: rule by the people.  Federalism: divides the government between the federal (national) government and the state government.  Separation of powers: 3 branches of government  Legislative  Executive  Judicial

 Makes the laws  Congress: Bicameral: House of Representatives and Senate  Can override a veto with 2/3 votes in both houses  Senate approves/rejects presidential appointments  Congress can impeach and remove an official from office

 Enforces the laws  President and Vice President  Powers of President  Proposing legislation  Appointing judges  Putting down rebellions  Veto

 Interprets the laws  Court system, Supreme Court  Hears cases arising under federal laws and the Constitution

 If one branch of government gets too much power, then the other branches must check the power and balance the power out equally.

 Changes to the Constitution  Two step process for amending the Constitution  Proposal  Ratification  2/3 of both houses of Congress or 2/3 of the states are needed to amend the Constitution  Proposed amendment must be ratified by ¾ of the state legislatures or the states.

 Support Constitution  Well organized, supported by newspapers  Federalist Papers  85 essays written in support of Constitution  Writers: James Madison, Alexander Hamilton and John Jay  Summarized the arguments for ratification of the Constitution

 Against the Constitution  John Hancock, Patrick Henry, Sam Adams, Edmund Randolph  Wanted a Bill of Rights  Endangers the independence of the states  Negative campaign: no alternative

 Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia and Connecticut pass quickly.  Massachusetts needs Bill of Rights and an amendment that reserves for the states all powers no specifically granted to the federal government.  Virginia ratifies the Constitution when Bill of Rights are added.  New York agrees when Virginia and New Hampshire ratify the Constitution.  By 1790, all states had ratified the Constitution.