1. The U.S. Constitution
Lecture Notes

2. Totalitarianism The state holds authority over society
Controls all aspects of public/private life whenever possible
Fascism: Nazi Germany
Absolute Monarchy: Saudi Arabia
Oligarchy: 20th Century South Africa
Dictatorship: North Korea
Communism: China
Dictatorship: North Korea
Communism: Cuba, China

3. Theocracy God is recognized as the head of state
Civil leader has a personal connection with the civilization’s divinity
Often leaders of the dominant religion
Vatican City
Vatican City
Iran

4. Republic Government without a Monarch
Government affairs are a public matter
“President” is the head of state
Elected representatives, not the people themselves, vote on legislation.
USA: Constitution based federal republic with strong democratic traditions
“Constitutional Federal Republic”
USA: Constitution based federal republic with strong democratic traditions
“Constitutional Federal Republic”

5. Socialism
Society in which major industries are owned and controlled by the government rather than by individual people and companies
Democratic principles (citizens can vote)
Political & Economic

6. Democracy
A form of government in which the supreme power is retained by the people, but which is usually exercised indirectly through a system of representation and delegated authority periodically renewed.
Two types: Representative & Direct
Parliamentary Democracy
A system of government in which the power to make and execute laws is held by a parliament, which represents the legislative branch.
Direct: Ancient Greece

7. With the Articles of Confederation
Where did they go wrong?
With the Articles of Confederation

8. The Articles of Confederation
As you analyze the Articles of Confederation, you will need to identify the following:
State Government Powers
National Government Powers
Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation
15 minutes + discussion

9. 1. State Autonomy States had different currency
Printing money
Inflation
States had individual debts
States had different taxes
States made trade agreements with each other
Some states did not recognize the currency of others

10. 2. No Common Defense Congress could not afford to pay soldiers
Soldiers were not paid for service during American Revolution
Soldiers were equipping themselves
2nd Amendment

11. 3. Agreement between colonies
Different colonies had different perspectives and priorities
Large colonies had more money and wanted privilege
Small colonies were poor and wanted charity

12. 4. Taxes
Larger states were able to levy more taxes, thus making them wealthy
Smaller states were not able to levy as much taxes, them making them less wealthy
The National Government was not able to levy (collect) taxes
There was no requirement of how much each state gives in taxes.

13. 5. National Government is a statue
13 of 13 colonies needed to change Articles
9 of 13 needed to make laws
Treaties
Trade
International diplomacy

14. It all comes down to money
National Government can’t raise taxes
No money to pay debt, other countries mad
No money to pay soldier, soldier leave
No way to coerce money from states
States have different economies
Different priorities
Balance of power

15. The Virginia Plan Liked by the states with the largest population.
Representatives would be based on population.
Each Representative (and there would be more for large states) would have a vote in new legislature.
Based on this system, who would have the most representatives
(and therefore the most power in making laws)?

16. The New Jersey Plan Favored by the small states
Each state would have the same number of votes.
Population would not matter; all states have equal power when it comes to law-making.
Based on this system, who would be the most upset?

17. The Great/Connecticut Compromise
Proposed by Roger Sherman
Divide the new legislature into two houses (bicameral)
House of Representatives
Elected according to population of state
Initially 1:40,000, now capped at 435
Senate
Equal representation, regardless of size for all states: each state will send TWO people to the senate

18. The Three-Fifths Compromise
Three out of every five slaves would be counted in population and taxes

19. Commerce compromise
Congress would regulate interstate trade and foreign commerce.
Runaway slaves had to be returned to their owners.
Fugitive Slave Law
Could not restrict importation of slaves for 20 years, until 1808.
Could levy a tax of up to $10 per slave.

20. The Constitution
Establishes government structure, as well rules and laws.
Strong central government
Three Branches:
Legislative –make laws
Executive –enforce laws
Judicial – interprets laws

21. Ratifying the Constitution
Federalists
Anti-Federalists
Ratify (approve) the Constitution as it was decided at the Constitutional Convention.
The Constitution protects the people as written.
The Constitution is flawed and needs to be fixed before it can be ratified.
More protection for the people!

22. 6 Guiding Principles of the Constitution
Popular Sovereignty
The people hold the ultimate authority.
Federalism
The division of power between State and National Governments.
Rule of Law
The American people and their government abide by a system of laws.
Separation of Powers
Separating the powers of government among the three branches would ensure that no one branch could dominate.
Independent Judiciary
Protect against abuses of the system by self-interested parties
Individual Rights
Citizens have individual rights that can’t be taken away (Bill of Rights)

23. The Bill of Rights Civil Liberties: Civil Rights:
Freedoms that are an individual’s birthright, such as the freedoms of speech, religion, and assembly. They are not something the government can legitimately take away.
Civil Rights:
Rights of citizenship that come with being a member of society, such as the right to a trial by jury and the right to legal counsel.
ACLU example (website describe protestor rights) –liberties

24. No one branch holds all power
No one branch holds all power. It’s separated (Separation of Powers) and built so that each branch can “check” another branch.

25. The Bill of Rights -1791
Freedom of speech, press, assembly, religion, and petition
The right to bear arms (own a weapon)
Do not have to house a soldier
Unreasonable search and seizure
No double jeopardy (tried for the same crime twice)
Fair and speedy trial –criminal
Trial by jury –common law
Cruel and unusual punishment
People retain certain rights not written in the Constitution
Powers not assigned to the US are reserved to the states and/or the people