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THE CONSTITUTION Wilson Chapter 2A
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KEY QUESTIONS Who Governs?To What Ends? Difference between democracy and republic Branch with the greatest power Goals the government should serve Freedoms protected
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TRADITIONAL LIBERTIES Independent judges Free from quartering Free trade No taxation without representation Limited government
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COLONIAL MIND Men are ambitious, greedy, corrupted Higher law to preserve natural rights Life Liberty Property (pursuit of happiness) Ideology Ideology Specific violations of the English government
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DECLARATION Open letter to the world Explains Social Contract Blames English government Asks for independence
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REVOLUTION Legitimate authority Secure liberties Consent of the governed Written constitution Superior legislative, accountable to the people
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ARTICLES Loose union of independent states Named “The United States of America” Single legislature of very limited power Addition of the Northwest Territories Northwest Ordinance Rules for admitting new states XI - Canada Abolition of slavery Mail/trade with countries/indians Freedom of speech/Rights of accused Limits: military/titles of nobility Pay war debts/borrowing money
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FAILURE OF ARTICLES One vote for each state (2-7 delegates) Dependent on states for tax collection Powerless to regulate interstate trade Problems with coining money Needed state militias Territorial disputes States enforced laws States pick and pay for legislature No national court system Amendments required unanimous approval 9/13 vote required to pass laws “firm league of friendship”
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CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION No accepted political theory State models PA – too democratic MA – too elitist Madison Confederacies were too weak to govern Other governments trampled liberty Shay’s Rebellion Veteran rebellion over taxation and foreclosures Private army, fear of anarchy, debate
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FRAMERS Sent to revise Articles Concerned about defense of liberty Feared tyranny of majority Needed to preserve order Practical men Veterans Confederate Congress Not the leaders of the Revolution
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NEW PLAN VirginiaNew Jersey Comprehensive Strong national government Direct election Parliamentarian 3 branches 3 branches Amend not replace Feared under-representation Equality among states State authority
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GREAT COMPROMISE Connecticut Settled on new national government Focus on representation Divide into 2 houses House directly elected based on population Senate indirectly elected equal among states Electoral College Electoral College
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CONSTITUTION OUTLINE Preamble Preamble Articles I – Legislative II – Executive III – Judicial IV – Relation Among States V – Amending Process VI – National Supremacy VII – Ratification Amendments
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READINGS Woll pages 40-45 Limitations of Governmental Power and of Majority rule Federalist 47, 48, 51
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