Origins of American Republic Unit 1: Foundations of American Democracy

I. Sources of the Const.

II.Const. Convention Background: - DOI Rev. War  AOC and weak central gov’t Thinking: Why do you think the framers started with such a weak gov’t? How could the AOC be potential problems? - Annapolis Conv. 1786 called to improve Articles -Shay’s Rebellion 1786necessity for a stronger national gov’t  

PTSD Syndrome… Anyone know what PTSD is? Where do you see this most commonly?

What were they afraid of?... Who was controlling and making all the policies for the colonies? This guy What did he represent for the colonists?... TYRANNY… this guy

Weaknesses of the AOC Weakness #1: Need 9 out of 13 votes to pass laws Weakness #2: No Executive branch Weakness #3: No National Court System Weakness #4: To change the AOC need unanimous vote (All 13 states) Weakness #5: No power to levy (collect) taxes Weakness #6: No power to regulate (control) interstate (between States) commerce (business) Weakness #7: No national currency (money)

Why a Republic? A Republic is a form of government where citizens elect representatives that then carry out policy on behalf of its citizens Reasons for this system Large area of land/diverse populations/different states (former colonies) Avoids tyranny of majority or central govt if you have representatives from different states

III. Delegates to Convention- Who were they? What were they like? How did the background of these framers affect the design of the Const?

IV. The Participants… James Madison George Washington Thomas Jefferson Benjamin Franklin Alexander Hamilton

V. Charles Beard’s Econ Interpretation of Constitution (1913 The Constitution reflects the interests of the framers who wrote it. A propertied class Protection of property fundamental job Rebuttals: Most people owned prop Poor people Safeguards & Protections How does Beard give us an interpretation different than what we may have seen before?

VI. Areas of agreement during Convention

VII. Areas of Disagreements Issues During Convention The Compromises Representation among the states Representation and taxation of slaves Election of President The Connecticut (GREAT) Compromise 3/5 Compromise The Electoral College

Thinking: What purpose did these compromises serve?

VIII. Ratification Politics

Federalists Supporters: Property owners, creditors, merchants, Their Perspective: “Strong Central Govt” Ratification W/O BOR Leaders: Hamilton, Madison, Washington, Jay

Antifederalists Supporters: small farmers, frontiersmen, debtors, shopkeepers Their perspective: “States’ Rights” Wanted a BOR Leaders: Jeff, Henry, Mason, Gerry

The Battle Begins… VS. Strong Central Govt States’ Rights This struggle between the Federalist’s perspective and the Anti Federalist’s perspective… Is the seed for the gauntlet that shapes American politics from that point forward… Some argue…the real cause/effect of the Civil War

Essential Knowledge Statements Describe 2 areas of compromises  Explain how 1 view for ratification for Federalists is different than the Antifederalists