Chapter 2 The Constitution

SAMPLE AP TEST QUESTION In a referendum, citizens express their opinions about issues by means of A. letters B. ballots C. town meetings D. petitions E. Both A and D

SAMPLE AP TEST QUESTION The Founders assumed that representative democracy would A. prevent sweeping changes in policy B. allow persons with higher levels of education to exercise more power C. result in decisions that were generally efficient and timely D. often proceed slowly E. Both A and D

Current Events pertaining to the Constitution

Thoughts on American Mindset? What were Americans thinking about during the colonial period? What were their influences? What is the set up of a Confederate Government?

Problems with the Articles of Confederation No form of taxation Each state had only 1 vote in congress Army dependent on state militias No national judicial system

Problems with the Articles of Confederation: Currency Connecticut currency (coined in 1787)

Shay’s Rebellion

Constitutional Convention

Virginia Plan Strong national union Legislature with supreme power on all maters not designated to the states Could veto any state decisions At least one house of the legislature would be directly elected Representation based on population

New Jersey Plan Each state received one vote in the legislature Have one house be elected by the state legislatures Developed in rebuttal to Virginia Plan

The compromise 2 house legislature Directly elected population based House State elected equally proportioned Senate

What form of government did this constitution create? Republic How was popular rule evident in the Convention’s agreements? How does Judicial Review protect both government and personal rights? Enumerated and Reserved powers Federalism

Anti Federalists

Federalists

The Bill of Rights: The First Ten Amendments of the Constitution

1. First Amendment: Freedom of Speech, freedom of the press, and freedom of religion, right to assemble, and right to petition

2. Second Amendment: The right to bear arms

3. Third Amendment: The National Government may not quarter troops in a citizen’s home without consent

4. Fourth Amendment: Protection against unwarranted searches and seizures

5. Fifth Amendment: (1) Grand Jury Indictment required for serious crimes (2) Due Process is guaranteed (3) Protection from double jeopardy: Cannot be tried for the same crime twice (4) Protection from self-incrimination (5) The government cannot take private property without just financial compensation (eminent domain)

6. Sixth Amendment: The right to a fair and speedy trial (criminal cases)

7. Seventh Amendment: Individuals have the right to a trial by jury in civil cases

8. Eighth Amendment: Protection against cruel and unusual punishments and protection from excessive bail

9. Ninth Amendment: Guarantees rights not expressed specifically in the Constitution (innumerable rights)

10. Tenth Amendment: Powers not delegated to the National Government are reserved to the states (reserved powers)

The Amendment Process: Methods used to add amendments to the constitution Proposing an Amendment (two methods) Ratifying an Amendment (two methods)

Slavery?

Economic Motives Did economic interests motivate the framers of the Constitution? Slavery? Private Property? Effectiveness? Yes and no

Modern constitution and reform Should we reduce separation of powers, including certain checks and balances? Emergencies Bureaucratic hold ups Ideas Allow the president to resolve congress Allow congress to hold special elections for office of president when the president has lost the faith of the people Single term for president

Less Democracy Require balanced budget every year? Line-item Veto Narrow authority on federal courts

Closure What were 2 of the largest problems with the Article of Confederation? Which plan for the Legislature was submitted first, and how did this affect the outlook on the second plan? What were some of the motives of the founding fathers, and how did these motives allow for the checks and balances?