1. The Framing of the ConstitutionBy
Mr. Owens
Crash Course 8: The Constitution

2. Key Issues
Representation: Small States vs. Large States, Great Compromise 2 Houses – Senate based on equality, House of Representatives based on population.
Slavery: 3/5th Compromise for taxes & representation, slave trade could not be abolished for 20 years (1808), fugitive slave clause
Executive: President term limited to 4 years fearing tyranny, veto power
Electoral College system: fearing too much democracy & “mob rule”

3. The Document Separation of Powers:
Federalism - powers divided between federal, state, local government (Montesquieu)
Checks and Balances (David Hume) branches of government check each other
Expanded power - to tax, regulate commerce, control currency, pass laws – strong executive

4. 2. Checks and Balances

5. Ratification & Bill of Rights
9 of 13 States needed to ratify in state conventions
Federalists: strong central government, fear of anarchy and chaos & unchecked power of the masses
Anti-Federalists: more power to states and local government, more power to the people, feared too much central power and tyranny
Congress adopted Bill of Rights (First Ten Amendments) in 1789 led my James Madison (Speaker of the House)