Constitutional Underpinnings

U.S. Constitution Adopted September 17, 1787 as a result of the Philadelphia Convention. Built on a series of compromises. Ratified version included a Bill of Rights Constitution is the supreme law of the land and established the framework for the U.S. government and for the relationship of the federal government with the states, its citizens, and all people in the United States. Constitution has been amended 27 times.

D. Areas of disagreement ---> compromises: Representation among the states. Large states favored the Virginia Plan based upon population. b. Small states favored the New Jersey Plan: equal representation. Great (Connecticut) Compromise: a bicameral legislature with a popularly- elected House (based upon population) and a Senate (equal rep.) elected by state legislatures.

D. Areas of disagreement ---> compromises: Representation and taxation of slaves. a. Northern states wanted slaves to count for taxation, but not representation. b. Southern states wanted the opposite. c. 3/5 Compromise: 3/5 of the slaves would count for both purposes (3/5 was the ratio that would yield equal representation among northern and southern states).

D. Areas of Disagreement ---> Compromises: Election of the President. Life term v. annual election ---> compromise of a 4-year term. Method of election: 1) Some wanted election by Congress. 2) Some wanted election by state legislatures. 3) Some wanted direct election. 4) Compromise: Electoral College

U.S. Constitution: Central Features Bicameral legislature, called Congress, divided into House of Representatives and the Senate. Members of Congress: Two Senators per state, Representatives apportioned according to state population Voting in Congress: one vote per Representative or Senator Appointment of Members: Representatives elected by popular vote, Senators appointed by state legislatures Term of Legislative office: Two years for Representatives, six for Senators When Congress is not in session...the President can call for Congress to assemble. Executive is the President

U.S. Constitution: Central Features Amendments: when agreed upon by three-fourths of all states Congress authorized to build a navy; states not allowed to keep ships of war Ratification: consent of nine states required Federal Courts: Court system created to deal with issues between citizens, states Sovereignty: power given to the national government Congress given the power to tax National government has the power to coin money