The Republican Experience

Reflecting upon their experience with King George III and parliament, what were the fears and concerns of the “founding fathers” about government? What steps might they take with a new government to ease those fears? Fears

Organization of New Governments State government Rights Separation of powers Voting Office holding Organization of New Governments

The Articles John Dickinson Ratification Structure of government Powers The Articles

Accomplishments Winning the war Land Ordinance of 1785 Northwest Ordinance of 1787 Accomplishments

Why Does It Not Work? Problems Financial Foreign Domestic Annapolis Convention Why Does It Not Work?

If men were angels, no government would be necessary If men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men , neither external nor internal controls on government would be necessary” James Madison 1787 A New Republic

Convention at Philadelphia A call to meet The delegates Nature of the convention Convention at Philadelphia

Characteristics of the Delegates to the Constitutional Convention

Independence Hall, Philadelphia Purpose of Convention Delegates were instructed to revise the Articles of Confederation. They did NOT have permission to scrap the Articles entirely. Proceedings were kept secret until the final document was drafted. Independence Hall, Philadelphia

Age Average Age: 42 Oldest: 81 Youngest: 26 Jonathon Dayton Ben Franklin

Over Half Graduated from College 33 from Ivy League… 9 from Princeton George Clymer Educated by Uncle Education James Madison Princeton

Delegates came from a wide variety of backgrounds Occupations Delegates came from a wide variety of backgrounds Artisans Planters Merchants Lawyers Ben Franklin George Washington Alexander Hamilton William Paterson

Government Experience While many delegates had years of experience in state and national politics, others were relative novices. Governors Judges Legislators Novices John Langdon New Hampshire John Blair Virginia John Dickinson Delaware James Wilson Pennsylvania

They Got Issues Early disagreements Representation Slavery Trade Presidency Ratification They Got Issues

Competing Plans for the Constitution Virginia Plan Written by James Madison Scrap Articles & create new gov. Bicameral Legislature Representation based on population Lower house elected by people & Upper house chosen by lower New Jersey Plan Introduced by William Paterson Wanted to reform Articles rather than replace them Unicameral Legislature based with equal representation for each state Connecticut (Great) Compromise Bicameral Legislature with representation in House of Representatives based on population and two representatives per state in the Senate

Constitutional Compromises 3/5 Compromise Slaves count as 3/5 of a person for taxation and representation Commerce Compromise Congress cannot tax exports, but it can tax imports. Congress cannot ban the slave trade until 1808 Democracy vs. Stability House of Representatives to be directly elected by people, but President and Senate to be indirectly elected. Strength of Executive Branch President elected to 4 year terms with limits on his power through checks & balances

The Great Debate Federalists Anti federalists Federalist Papers Outcome Virginia New York Other states The Great Debate

Select two papers from each site and bring them to class http://www.constitution.org/fed/ http://www.thisnation.com/library/antifederalist/ Select two papers from each site and bring them to class Read thru them prior to coming to class, be able to discuss the key ideas Federalist Papers

Arguments First ten Key amendments Bill of Rights

“Thus I consent, sir, to this Constitution, because I expect no better and because I am not sure that it is not the best . The opinions I have had of its errors I sacrifice to the public good …” Ben Franklin 1787 A New Republic

“Our new Constitution is now established, and has an appearance that promises permanency; but in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” Ben Franklin 1787 A New Republic

“We have given you a Republic “We have given you a Republic. It remains to be seen if you will be able to retain it.” Ben Franklin What was he talking about?   A New Republic

Based on popular sovereignty A representative system Federalism A separation of powers: Legislative, executive, judicial Provided an amendment process A New Government

House of Representatives *For each branch give requirements for office, term, powers Three Branches Executive Legislative Judicial Senate Supreme Court House of Representatives President V.P. Cabinet

The Electoral College Based on state by state election Electoral vote is determined by: #of representatives + # of senators To win must have a majority of electoral votes Today that means 270 Why would the election be based on this system rather than popular vote nation wide?