Post on 24-Feb-2016
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DON'T INTERFERE WITH ANYTHING IN THE CONSTITUTION. THAT MUST
BE MAINTAINED, FOR IT IS THE ONLY SAFEGUARD OF OUR LIBERTIES.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN
The Constitution
Why a Constitution?
Articles of Confederation were weak. 1 The national government could not force the
states to obey its laws.2 It did not have the power to tax3 It did not have the power to enforce laws4 Congress lacked strong and steady leadership5 There was no national army or navy6 There was no system of national courts7 Each state could issue its own paper money8 Each state could put tariffs on trade between
states.
Shay’s rebellion
Economic uprising in Massachusetts The US government could not raise an army
to put it down. Oops!!!John Jay- The rebellion made "the
inefficiency of the Federal government [become] more and more manifest”
The Virginia Plan- new document
Strong national government- 3 branchesBicameral legislature, one chosen by the
peopleExecutive veto power
New Jersey Plan- revamp Articles
New Jersey- They were so confident it would be accepted they called it the “Jersey sure!” hehe
NJ
Small states feared both houses would be based on population
Each state would get one vote in legislature- argues it balanced large and small states
Va plan came first so it was the focus.
Great Compromise
Key principles
Federalism- Hey wait that’s chapter three!!!Separation of Powers- 3 distinct branches of
government – legislative, Executive, JudicialEnumerated powers- Powers given just to the
federal government- (ex. Coin money)Reserved Powers- Powers held by the states
(ex. Issues licenses)Concurrent powers- Powers shared by the
states and the fed (ex. Tax)
Checks and Balances
Getting it done
Federalists- “nationalists
Antifederalists- “states righters”
This is what a federalist looks like
This is what an anti-federalist looks like
Which are you?
Let’s figure that out
The Constitution and us
It did provide some protections-Writ of habeas corpus- why are you being
detainedNo Bill of Attainder- guilty without trialNo ex post fact law- “after the fact”
The Constitution and us
Bill of Rights- In all it's glory!
Constitution and us
Slavery- 3 mentions, but never mentioned!!1. counted them as 3/5 of a person for census
purposes.2. Congress could not forbid importation of
“such persons” until after 18083. A “person held to service or labor” must be
returned if he/she escapes