The Constitution 2

Video: The Big Picture IA_1/polisci/presidency/OConner_Ch02_The_Constitution_ Seg1_v2.html 2

Learning Objectives Trace the historical developments that led to the colonists’ break with Great Britain and the emergence of the new American nation Identify the key components of the Articles of Confederation and the reasons why it failed

Outline the issues and compromises that were central to the writing of the Constitution Analyze the underlying principles of the Constitution Learning Objectives

Explain the conflicts that characterized the drive for ratification of the Constitution Distinguish between the methods for proposing and ratifying amendments to the Constitution Learning Objectives

Video: The Basics IA_1/polisci/presidency/Seg2_Constitution_v2.html 2

Roots of the New American Nation  Trade and Taxation  First Steps Toward Independence  First Continental Congress  Second Continental Congress  Declaration of Independence 2.1

Trade and Taxation  Mercantilism Strict import/export controls Widely ignored  Costly French and Indian War New taxes on sugar (Sugar Act) and paper items (Stamp Act)  “No taxation without representation” 2.1

Why was Samuel Adams important? 2.1

First Steps Toward Independence  Stamp Act Congress formed to address grievances  Boston Massacre 2.1

What really happened at the Boston Massacre? 2.1

First Steps Toward Independence  Committees of Correspondence build public opinion against Britain  Boston Tea Party  Coercive Acts (Intolerable Acts) Quartering of British troops 2.1

First and Second Continental Congresses  First Continental Congress (Sept. 1774)  Battle of Lexington and Concord  Second Continental Congress (May1775) Olive Branch Petition (July 5, 1775)  Thomas Paine’s Common Sense 2.1

Declaration of Independence  Committee of Five  Thomas Jefferson – principal author  John Locke Social contract theory Life, liberty, and property 2.1

2.1 What was the main grievance of the Stamp Act Congress? a.The Stamp Act barred the colonists from using their own stamps b.The Stamp Act included the taxing of books and playing cards c.The taxes imposed by the British had a religious context and therefore conflicted with the separation of church and state d.The British Parliament had no authority to tax the colonists without colonial representation in that body

2.1 a.The Stamp Act barred the colonists from using their own stamps b.The Stamp Act included the taxing of books and playing cards c.The taxes imposed by the British had a religious context and therefore conflicted with the separation of church and state d.The British Parliament had no authority to tax the colonists without colonial representation in that body 2.1 What was the main grievance of the Stamp Act Congress?

First Attempt at Government: The Articles of Confederation  Problems Under the Articles of Confederation  Shays’s Rebellion 2.2

Problems Under the Articles of Confederation  No power to tax  No power to regulate commerce  No executive to implement laws  No judicial system  No coercive power over states 2.2

Shays’s Rebellion  Farmers protest farm foreclosures  Shays and followers shut down court  No state militia to quell the uprising 2.2

What was the result of Shays’s Rebellion? 2.2

2.2 What type of government did the Articles of Confederation create? a.Direct democracy b.Confederacy c.Republic d.Federal government

What type of government did the Articles of Confederation create? a.Direct democracy b.Confederacy c.Republic d.Federal government

Miracle at Philadelphia: Writing the U.S. Constitution  Characteristics and Motives of the Framers  Virginia and New Jersey Plans  Constitutional Compromises  Unfinished Business: Executive Branch 2.3

Characteristics and Motives of the Framers  All wealthy white males Mostly young Some slave owners Relatively educated  Social motives Maintain social order which benefited them  Economic motives Maintain property rights which benefited them 2.3

Virginia and New Jersey Plans  Virginia Plan Large states Powerful central government Representation based on population  New Jersey Plan Small states Weak central government Representation by state 2.3

Constitutional Compromises  Great Compromise Bicameral legislature Number of representatives based on population Representatives directly elected States given equal votes in Senate Senators elected by state legislatures  National power supreme 2.3

Constitutional Compromises  Issue of Slavery No limits for 20 years  Three-Fifths Compromise Representation determined by counting slaves as three-fifths of a person Gave southern states more representatives 2.3

Unfinished Business: Executive Branch  One-person executive  4-year term  Electoral College  Impeachment 2.3

2.3 How was the disagreement over the Virginia and New Jersey Plans resolved? a.The Three-Fifths Compromise b.Checks and balances c.Creation of a bicameral legislature d.Electoral College 2.3

2.3 How was the disagreement over the Virginia and New Jersey Plans resolved? a.The Three-Fifths Compromise b.Checks and balances c.Creation of a bicameral legislature d.Electoral College

Explore the Simulation: You Are a Founder _1/2013_mpsl_sim/simulation.html?simulaURL=2 2.3

Video: In Context IA_1/polisci/presidency/Seg3_Constitution_v2.html 2.3

U.S. Constitution  Basic Principles of the Constitution  Articles of the Constitution 2.4

Basic Principles of the Constitution  Federalism Power divided between national and state governments National government considered supreme Power derived from the people 2.4

Basic Principles of the Constitution  Separation of Powers Executive branch Legislative branch Judicial branch  Checks and Balances Each branch has powers to check the other two branches 2.4

What are the separation of powers and checks and balances under the U.S. Constitution? 2.4

Video: In the Real World sci/presidency/Seg5_Constitution_v2.html 2.4

How do the Articles of Confederation and the U.S. Constitution compare to one another? 2.4

Articles of the Constitution  Article I: Legislative branch  Article II: Executive branch  Article III: Judiciary branch  Articles IV through VII 2.4

Articles of the Constitution  Article I: Legislative branch Enumerated powers Necessary and proper clause Also called the Elastic clause Implied powers 2.4

Articles of the Constitution  Article II: Executive branch commander in chief authority to make treaties and federal appointments execute the laws faithfully 2.4

Why does the president deliver a State of the Union Address? 2.4

Articles of the Constitution  Article III: Judiciary branch  Articles IV through VII Full faith and credit Supremacy clause Amendment process 2.4

2.4 Which clause makes federal laws supersede conflicting state laws? a.Necessary and proper clause b.Full faith and credit clause c.Elastic clause d.Supremacy clause

Which clause makes federal laws supersede conflicting state laws? a.Necessary and proper clause b.Full faith and credit clause c.Elastic clause d.Supremacy clause

Video: Thinking Like a Political Scientist IA_1/polisci/presidency/Seg4_Constitution_v2.html 2.4

Drive for Ratification of the Constitution  Federalists versus Anti-Federalists  The Federalist Papers  Ratifying the Constitution  Bill of Rights 2.5

Federalists Versus Anti- Federalists  Federalists favoured strong national government  Anti-Federalists favoured strong state governments  Ratification process was contentious 2.5

The Federalist Papers  85 essays by Federalists Alexander Hamilton (51) James Madison(26) John Jay(3) Appeared in New York newspapers Theoretical, scholarly  Anti-Federalists responded with critique of Constitution 2.5

Ratifying the Constitution  Delaware first state  Small states first  New Hampshire 9th state  New York and Virginia 2.5

The Bill of Rights  Condition of ratification Sought by Anti-Federalists to protect civil liberties  First ten amendments to Constitution 2.5

TABLE 2.2: What were the differences Between the Federalists and the Anti-Federalists? 2.5

2.5 What did the Anti-Federalists fear? a.A strong national government b.A weak national government c.Strong state governments d.Limited taxing power

What did the Anti-Federalists fear? a.A strong national government b.A weak national government c.Strong state governments d.Limited taxing power

How Long Did It Take to Ratify the Constitution? mpslag_12/pex/pex2.html

Toward Reform: Methods of Amending the Constitution  Formal Methods of Amending the Constitution  Informal Methods of Amending the Constitution 2.6

Formal Methods of Amending the Constitution  Proposal Two-thirds members of both houses Two-thirds of state legislatures Never used  Ratification Vote in state legislature Vote in ratifying convention 2.6

FIGURE 2.2: How can the U.S. Constitution be amended? 2.6

Which is the only constitutional amendment to be repealed? 2.6

Informal Methods of Amending the Constitution  Judicial interpretation Supreme Court can decide if laws are unconstitutional  Social and cultural change Legislation can alter balance of power between government and states  Technological change Media is redefining free speech 2.6

2.6 Which of the following is an informal method of amending the Constitution? a.Ratification by two-thirds of states b.Presidential decree c.Legislative oversight d.Judicial interpretation

Which of the following is an informal method of amending the Constitution? a.Ratification by two-thirds of states b.Presidential decree c.Legislative oversight d.Judicial interpretation

Discussion Question Why did the colonists break free from British rule? Were they successful in creating a government that solved the problems they had as British subjects under colonial rule? 2

Video: So What? _1/polisci/presidency/OConner_Ch02_The_Constitution_Seg 6_v2.html 2

Further Review: On MyPoliSciLab  Listen to the Chapter  Study and Review the Flashcards  Study and Review the Practice Tests 2