You can master the Constitution if you can remember this: C is for Constitution APUSH Exam Review May 3, 2012 Compromise Conservative Contradictory 1780s-Catalysts for the convention (under the AOC): 1. British forts in the NW 2. Spanish control of New Orleans 3. Barbary pirates 4. Inability to raise revenue from states 5. Interstate commerce problems 6. Shay s Rebellion*** Youcan master the Constitution if you remember this: Compromise Representation and slavery Conservative View of human nature, a reactionary document? Contradictory The federal is sovereign and yet the statesare as well Enslaved peoples are part of a democratic republic Prelude to Constitution What power did conservatives most want national to have? Annapolis Convention 1786 Only 5 states showed up Alexander Hamilton of New York saves with his report calling for a Constitutional Convention the next year to amend the Articles. Alexander Hamilton- FAVORED A STRONG CENTRAL GOVERNMENT 1
Congress not eager to call a constitutional convention Finally called a convention for the sole and express purpose of revising the Articles of Confederation Every state but Rhode Island chose a representative 55 delegates from 12 states met in Philadelphia on May 25, 1787 All selected by the state legislatures who themselves were chosen only by landowners Sessions held in complete secrecy. Why? Constitutional Convention Nature of the Delegates: George Washington was unanimously elected chairman, once again, surprise? Ben Franklin was the elder statesman and the oldest at 81, 10 years? James Madison dubbed Father of Constitution because of his contributions to the constitution. Researched almost every form of 1) Conservative Delegates were conservative and well off Young but experienced statesmen Nationalists not federalists (emerge duringthe debates) Wanted a strong so that could have unified trade laws Wanted to stop unrestrained democracy Safeguards For Conservatism Delegates agreed that unbridled democracy should be limited. Constitution was designed to be a bulwark against Mobocracy. Examples: Federal judges were to be appointed for life President elected indirectly by Electoral College Senators to be chosen indirectly by state legislatures Housethe only part of federal chosen directly by the people (1 out of 4) The Constitution is meant to impede change! and that s a good thing 2) Compromise Decided to scrap the AOC and begin from scratch Most significant issue? Large State s Plan (Virginia Plan)= proportional Small State s Plan (New Jersey Plan)= one state, one vote Great Compromise (Connecticut Plan)= bicameralism (two chambers!) Revenue Bills Presidency- electoral college 3/5 Compromise Slave Trade Compromise-1807 Bicameralism House-closer to the people Elected every TWO years Senate-indirectly elected by State legislatures every six years 2
Check s On The Power Of Government People voted indirectly Powers of National Government were limited. Could not deny writs of habeus corpus No bills of attainder No titles of nobility No ex post facto laws Everything else left up to the states Key principles of the Constitution Separation of powers each branch has a separate function Checks and balances each branch has a function and scrutiny over another branch Republicanism- popular input, spoken for by representatives Federalism-two levels of, with central supreme-think cake! Checks and Balances States versus national House versus Senate Executive versus legislature Courts versus executive and legislature Senate versus executive on treaties and appointments People through elections versus legislatures Significance= first time a is designed to be less ineffective 3
Federalism The US Constitution The Basic Structure Why the longest? Preamble Article I: The Legislative Branch Article II: The Executive Branch Article III: The Judicial Branch Article IV: National Unity and Power Article V: Amendment Procedure Article VI: National Supremacy Article VII: Ratification Requirements»Ridiculously hard to amend the Constitution, but not impossible Federalists Large landowners, wealthy merchants, professionals Strong national Feared excessive democracy Elites best fit to govern Ratifying the Constitution Anti-Federalists Small farmers, shopkeepers, laborers Strong state Feared concentration of power in few hands Protection for individual liberties Ratifying the Constitution What of the protection of people s liberties? Neglected to include provisions in draft of the Constitution State constitutions generally included such provisions. Protection of liberties the duty of the states? Major roadblock to ratification Bill of Rights was promised Successes Created unified nation capable of defending itself Facilitated the country s economic development Outlawing separate state currencies Outlawed state tariffs Created a presidency that was first filled by Washington 4
Assessing the Constitution: The Constitution Today Constitution continues to give many groups/interests opportunities to voice their concerns Constitutional ambiguity- privacy? Adaptability Successful governing arrangements Stain of slavery- national sin Could not resolve an intractable problem Strong solution would mean no ratification Bill of Rights (1791) 1. Freedoms (5) 2. Arms 3. Troops 4. Search 5. Incrimination 6. Trial by jury 7. Jury in a civil trial 8. Excessive punishment 9. People 10. States Civil War Amendments (1860s) 13. Free 14. Citizens 15. Vote Know Your Amendments! Progressive Era (1913-1920) 16. Income tax 17. Direct election of Senators 18. Prohibition 19. Women s suffrage FDR s presidency 20. Lame Duck 21. Prohibition repealed 22.Two terms*** (1951) Voting 24. Poll taxes 26. 18-20 year olds can vote 5