Friday October 30 Chapter 7, Founding a Nation,

Classwork for Friday October 30 (shortened class) 1- Constitutional Compromises: Crash Course Government and Politics w/ “Craig” #5 (5m) 2-PPT (15m) 3-Chart/table on the second major compromise of the Constitution: the counting of slaves. Divide your chart into three columns: 1 st point of view, 2 nd point of view, Compromise position.

Watch these (3m) The Constitution of the United States of America Introduction to the United States Constitution (3m) Constitutional Compromises: Crash Course Government and Politics #5 (9m)

And the winner is…The Great Compromise aka “The Connecticut Plan” Two-house (bi-cameral) legislature consisting of a 1-Senate (each state had two members) and a 2- House of Representatives (apportioned according to each state’s population.) Senators would be chosen by state legislatures for six-year terms. Representatives would be elected every two years by the people.

AND ALSO… The Constitution did not establish PROPERTY or RELIGIOUS qualifications for voting Constitution left voter qualifications to the states. New government based on idea of a LIMITED DEMOCRACY. Assumption that only PROMINENT MEN would hold office. Supreme Court members would be appointed for life by the president. Federal judges appointed by the president of the United States.

New government is a LIMITED Democracy, because… The President would be chosen indirectly by members of 1- an electoral college; 2- a tied vote was decided by the House of Representatives. Second place winner would become the vice- president. What is an Elector? (A person chosen by 1-legislature or 2-popular vote, depending on state.) The number of Electors is determined by adding together the # of Senators and Representatives. The electors vote for the president; not the people directly. Electing a US President in Plain English (3m)

The New Constitution is genius in that it had 2 basic principles 1-FEDERALISM and 2-CHECKS AND BALANCES What is Federalism? = The relationship (DIVISION of POWERS) between the National/Federal Gov’t and the States. What is the SEPARATION of POWERS (CHECKS AND BALANCES?) = the way in which the Constitution seeks to prevent any one branch of the national government from dominating the other two.

President VS Congress President could: Enforce law and command the military Congress (Senate and House of Representatives) could: levy taxes, borrow $$, regulate commerce, declare war, deal with foreign powers (and Indians), and promote the general welfare.

PRESIDENT VS CONGRESS NO SINGLE BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT CAN DOMINATE THE OTHER TWO: -Congress enacts laws but the President can veto them. -Congress needs a 2/3 majority to pass laws over his objection. Federal judges are nominated by the president and approved by Congress, BUT They serve for life as a guarantee of their independence. The President can be impeached by the House of Representatives and removed from office by the Senate for “high crimes and misdemeanors.”

What about State Government? States still had powers BUT the Constitution declared NATIONAL LEGISLATION the “Supreme Law” of the land.

Slavery in the Constitution—It is? Well, where is it???? No mention of slaves or slavery in the new Constitution, but it did accommodate slavery. The issue divided the delegates gathered there. Constitutional Convention included both abolitionists and slaveholders. South Carolina’s delegates were very influential in preserving slavery within the Constitution. How would they ever agree on such an explosive issue? Compromises, compromises… Concessions were made to southern slaveholding states, particularly S. Carolina.

Slavery’s in the Constitution, just not mentioned by name SLAVERY WAS LEGAL UNDER THE NEW CONSTITUTION 1. Congress prevented from abolishing African slave trade until January 1, (20 years) 2. All states had to return fugitive slaves to owners. A slave remained enslaved no matter the state. 3. Federal/National gov’t could not interfere w/ slavery in the states. 4- Slave states had more power than their numbers warranted because of the 3/5 clause.

3/5 Clause THE 3/5 CLAUSE GAVE THE SOUTH MORE DELEGATES TO CONGRESS AS WELL AS MORE ELECTORS TO VOTE FOR THE PRESIDENT. Of the first 16 presidents, all but 4 were southern state owners.

And, after all that…here it is! Here it is! FINALLY, the new nation has a new Constitution. Final draft signed in September 1787, and was then sent to the states for ratification/approval. Let’s see what they think about it. Will all parties be happy with this? We’ll find out next week.

No homework on Friday. Happy Halloween!