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The Constitution

The Constitution. Basic purposes include: * Serves as a nation’s basic law * Allocates power within government * Structures competition among participants influencing government. Purposes of a Constitution. Important Note: * May be written or unwritten

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The Constitution

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  1. The Constitution AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS - Constitution

  2. Basic purposes include: * Serves as a nation’s basic law * Allocates power within government * Structures competition among participants influencing government Purposes of a Constitution AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS - Constitution

  3. Important Note: * May be written or unwritten * May be an accumulation of traditions and precedents A Constitution AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS - Constitution

  4. The first constitution of the U.S. • Adopted 1777, Enacted 1781 • Established a national legislature • and a Confederation of states • (a “league of friendship”) • However, there were many problems Articles of Confederation AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS - Constitution

  5. Problems (Weaknesses) included: • No separate president • No national court system • Powers of the legislature very limited • Required 9 of 13 states to pass laws • Required unanimous vote to amend Articles of Confederation AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS - Constitution

  6. Weaknesses also included: • Congress had no power to tax • Had to request money from states (beg?) • No power to regulate commerce . . . • which inhibited foreign trade and • development of a strong national economy Articles of Confederation AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS - Constitution

  7. Weaknesses: • Essentially . . . • a weak national government Articles of Confederation AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS - Constitution

  8. We must do Something About This ! Articles of Confederation AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS - Constitution

  9. Who were these 55 People? • Mostly wealthy planters • or successful merchants and lawyers • Majority . . . lawyers • Many active politicians in their states • Most urban dwellers rather than rural • Most college educated • All . . . MEN • All . . . “WHITE” The Philly Framer Party AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS - Constitution

  10. ...remember the ladies, and be more generous and favorable to them than your ancestors. Do not put such unlimited power into the hands of the Husbands. Remember all Men would be tyrants if they could. • ~ Abigail Adams • In a letter to her husband • John Adams An isolated Voice AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS - Constitution

  11. Generally agreed on views about: * Human nature * Causes of political conflict * Purpose of government * Nature of a republican government Views of the Framers AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS - Constitution

  12. Views of the Framers On Human Nature There are two passions which have a powerful influence on the affairs of men: the love of power and the love of money. ~ Ben Franklin AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS - Constitution

  13. Views of the Framers On Human Nature Without a strong government, life would be “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish & short” ~ Thomas Hobbes Inspiration for Calvin & Hobbes C AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS - Constitution

  14. Views of the Framers On Human Nature It is not from the benevolence of the butcher, the brewer, or the baker, that we expect our dinner, but from their regard to their own interest. We address ourselves, not to their humanity but to their self-love, and never talk to them of our necessities but of their advantages. ~ Adam Smith 1776 C AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS - Constitution

  15. Views of the Framers Influence of John Locke Built on natural rights philosophy Key idea: people have basic human rights . . . given by nature, NOT by a government or ruler AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS - Constitution

  16. Views of the Framers Natural Rights include: Life, liberty and PROPERTY Government ONLY by consent of the governed Clear restrictions on powers of a ruler AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS - Constitution

  17. The preservation of property is the end of government ! Views of the Framers ~ John Locke AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS - Constitution

  18. Views of the Framers The most common and durable source of factions has been the various and unequal distribution of property. Concern about Political Conflict ~ James Madison AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS - Constitution

  19. Views of the Framers “Factions” could also be based on: Religion Views about government Attachment to various leaders AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS - Constitution

  20. Views of the Framers Why fear of “Factions”? If not checked, one faction could end up tyrannizing others AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS - Constitution

  21. Views of the Framers Particular concern about the “rabble” A motley rabble of saucy boys, negroes, and molattoes, Irish teagues and outlandish jack tarrs! ~ John Adams describing a crowd of protestors AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS - Constitution

  22. Views of the Framers Nature of Government Balance powers Separate branches of government Branches able to check each other ~ Baron Montesquieu French Thinker AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS - Constitution

  23. Representation of the States Some Key Issues Each equally? or by population? What about Slavery? Who should be allowed to vote? AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS - Constitution

  24. The New Jersey Plan Each state would have equal representation in Congress • The Virginia Plan • Each state would have representation proportional to its population Representation Plans AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS - Constitution

  25. The Connecticut Compromise • Two houses of Congress: * One w/ representation based on population • * The other w/ each state having equal • representation Representation Plans AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS - Constitution

  26. Would Slaves be counted to determine State representation? * States w/ many slaves . . . YES! * States w/ few slaves . . . NO! Representation & Slavery AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS - Constitution

  27. Compromise: * Count slaves as 3/5ths of a person Representation & Slavery AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS - Constitution

  28. Who would get to vote? * Franklin wanted all free adult males * Others feared giving the vote to “the rabble” * Some wanted a property requirement * Solution: left the issue to the States Voting AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS - Constitution

  29. Government Text:Pages • Origins of the Constitution 32 – 37 • The Philly Convention 41 – 42 • The Agenda in Philly 43 – 47 • Madisonian Model 48 – 51 • Ratifying the Constitution 51 – 55 • Constitutional Change 55 – 61 Reading AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS - Constitution

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