1. Principles of the Constitution
Republicanism
Federalism
Separation of Powers
Checks and Balances

2. Branches of Government in the Constitution
Legislative – seen as most important
Executive
Judicial – least developed

3. AMENDING THE CONSTITUTION
Proposal Stage
2/3 Vote of both House and Senate OR
Convention called by Congress at the request of 2/3 of state legislatures
Ratification Stage
3/4 of state legislatures OR
3/4 of state ratifying conventions

4. “Democratizing” Amendments
13th Abolishes slavery
14th African Americans are citizens, equal protection, removes 3/5 compromise
15th Extends vote to African Americans
17th Direct election of Senators
19th Extends suffrage to women
24th Abolishes poll taxes
26th Extends suffrage to 18 yr olds

5. Federalists versus Antifederalists
Federalist papers (pen name Publius: Madison, Hamilton and Jay)
Antifederalists wrote as Brutus and the Federal Farmer
Demographics: Feds were large property owners, merchants from Northeast and Mid-atlantic states
Antifeds were small farmers, shopkeepers, laborers

6. What did Antifederalists believe?
Wanted one single legislative body
Rotation
Keep power close to people (stronger state governments, weaker national gov’t, small electoral districts/more representatives to truly represent views of the people, frequent election)
GOT BILL OF RIGHTS

7. What did Federalists believe?
Articles of Confederation insufficient
Strengthen national government but feared tyranny of majority especially by unpropertied

8. Beardian thesis (Charles Beard, wrote book published 1913 called Economic Interpretation of the Constitution):
Supporters of Constitution represented a distinct class of people – merchants, shippers, bankers, speculators, holders of government securities.

9. Opponents represented individuals whose economic interests were tied to the land –farmers, plantation owners, and debtors –would lose economically from the new Constitution so opposed it.
People involved in trade, commerce would benefit while individuals such as slaveowners wouldn’t.

10. Gordon Wood response to economic interpretation
Wood is a historian who argued that the Constitution reflects not just economic interests but ideals and values –

11. Gordon Wood response to economic interpretation
Government grounded in consent, contract
So Wood takes “ideas” of those who wrote Constitution seriously (ideas like the social contract, individual rights) – felt they had achieved something worthy, created a lasting union based on 1) rep. democracy, 2) checks and balances and separation of powers

12. Federalism
UNITARY
CONFEDERATION
HYBRID