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The Constitution. To Form A More Perfect Union. Constitution: a definition. Definition A constitution is a nation’s basic law. It creates political institutions, assigns or divides powers in government, and often provides certain guarantees to citizens. Sets the broad rules of the game
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The Constitution To Form A More Perfect Union
Constitution: a definition. • Definition • A constitution is a nation’s basic law. It creates political institutions, assigns or divides powers in government, and often provides certain guarantees to citizens. • Sets the broad rules of the game • What are some non-government examples of a “constitution”? • The rules are not neutral; some participants and policy options have advantages over others.
Origins of the Constitution • The Road to Revolution • Colonists faced tax increases after the French and Indian War. • Colonists lacked direct representation in parliament. • Salutary Neglect • Colonial leaders formed the Continental Congress to address abuses of the English Crown.
Origins of the Constitution • Declaring Independence • In May and June 1776, the Continental Congress debated resolutions for independence. • The Declaration of Independence, which listed the colonists grievances against the British, is adopted on July 4, 1776. • Politically, the Declaration was a polemic, announcing and justifying revolution. • In what ways was this declaration dangerous for the members of the Continental Congress?
Origins of the Constitution • The English, John Locke Heritage: The Power of Ideas • Natural rights: rights inherent in human beings, not dependent on government • Consent of the governed: government derives its authority by sanction of the people • Limited Government: certain restrictions should be placed on government to protect natural rights of citizens
Origins of the Constitution • Winning Independence • In 1783, the American colonies prevailed in their war against England. • The “Conservative” Revolution • Restored rights the colonists felt they had lost • Not a major change of lifestyles • How was this different than the French revolution?
The Government That Failed • The Articles of Confederation • The first document to govern the United States, it was adopted in 1777 and ratified in 1781. • It established a confederation, a “league of friendship and perpetual union” among 13 states and former colonies. • Congress had few powers; there was no president or national court system. • All government power rested in the states.
The Government That Failed • The Articles of Confederation • Why was there a problem with a weak national government? • Do you think the states would feel more obligated to support themselves or the Confederation? • What affect did this have on the centralization of power in America?
The Government That Failed • Changes in the States • Liberalized voting laws increased political participation and power among a new middle class. • An expanding economic middle class of farmers and craft workers counterbalanced the power of the old elite of professionals and wealthy merchants. • Ideas of equality spread and democracy took hold.
The Government That Failed • Economic Turmoil • Postwar depression left farmers unable to pay debts • State legislatures sympathetic to farmers and passed laws that favored debtors over creditors • So what do you think the debtors did? • How does this affect interstate relations? The Economy? • Shays’ Rebellion • Series of attacks on courthouses by a small band of farmers led by Revolutionary War Captain Daniel Shays to block foreclosure proceedings. • Economic elite concerned about Articles’ inability to limit these violations of individual’s property rights • Why couldn’t the government do anything about this under the Articles?
The Government That Failed • The Aborted Annapolis Meeting • An attempt to discuss changes to the Articles of Confederation in September 1786 • Attended by only 12 delegates from 5 states • Called for a meeting in May 1787 to further discuss changes—the Constitutional Convention
Making a Constitution:The Philadelphia Convention • Gentlemen in Philadelphia • 55 men from 12 of the 13 states • Mostly wealthy planters & merchants • Most were college graduates with some political experience • Many were coastal residents from the larger cities, not the rural areas
The Philadelphia Convention • Philosophy into Action, they agreed on: • Human Nature, • which is self-interested • Political Conflict, • which leads to factions • Objects of Government: • including the preservation of property • Nature of Government, • which sets power against power so that no one faction rises above and overwhelms another
The Agenda in Philadelphia • The Equality Issues • Equality and Representation of the States • New Jersey Plan — equal representation in states • Virginia Plan — population-based representation • Connecticut Compromise — Congress and House • Slavery • Three-fifths compromise • Political Equality and voting left to states
The Agenda in Philadelphia • The Economic Issues • States had tariffs on products from other states • Paper money was basically worthless • Congress couldn’t raise money • Actions taken: • Powers of Congress to be strengthened • Powers of states to be limited
The Agenda in Philadelphia • The Individual Rights Issues • Some were written into the Constitution: • Prohibits suspension of writ of habeas corpus • No bills of attainder, punishment without trial • Religious qualifications for holding office prohibited • Strict rules of evidence for conviction of treason • Right to trial by jury in criminal cases • Some were not mentioned • Freedom of speech and expression • Rights of the accused
The Madisonian Model • Who is James Madison? • Page 143 in your books. • To prevent a tyranny of the majority, Madison proposed a government of: • Limiting Majority Control • Separating Powers • Creating Checks and Balances • Establishing a Federal System
The Madisonian Model • The Constitutional Republic • Republic: A form of government in which the people select representatives to govern them and make laws • Favors the status quo – change is slow • The End of the Beginning • The document was approved, but not unanimously. Now it had to be ratified.
Ratifying the Constitution • Federalist Papers • A collection of 85 articles written by Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison under the name “Publius” to defend the Constitution • Bill of Rights • The first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution, drafted in response to some of the Anti-Federalist concerns about the lack of basic liberties
Ratifying the Constitution • Ratification • Lacking majority support, the Federalists specified that the Constitution be ratified by state conventions, not state legislatures. • Delaware first ratified the Constitution on December 7, 1787. • New Hampshire’s approval (the ninth state to ratify) made the Constitution official six months later.
Constitutional Change • Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), • Never Ratified • The Informal Process of Constitutional Change • Judicial Interpretation • Marbury v. Madison(1803): judicial review • Changing Political Practice: parties, election changes • Technology: mass media • Increasing Demands on Policymakers
The Importance of Flexibility • The Constitution is short, with fewer than 8,000 words. • It does not prescribe every detail. • There is no mention of congressional committees or independent regulatory commissions. • The Constitution is not static, but flexible for future generations to determine their own needs.
Understanding the Constitution • The Constitution and Democracy • The Constitution is rarely described as democratic. • There has been a gradual democratization of the Constitution. • The Constitution and the Scope of Government • Much of the Constitution reinforces individualism and provides multiple access points for citizens. • It also encourages stalemate and limits government.
Summary • The Constitution was ratified to strengthen congressional economic powers, even with disagreements over issues of equality. • Protection of individual rights guaranteed through the Bill of Rights. • Formal and informal changes continue to shape our Madisonian system of government.
