To Accompany Comprehensive, Alternate, and Texas Editions
American Government: Roots and Reform, 10th edition
Karen O’Connor and Larry J. Sabato
Pearson Education, 2009
Chapter 2
The Constitution
The Roots of a New Nation
Tensions begin to build in 1760s.
British use mercantilism to justify control.
French and Indian War increases dependence.
Series of acts passed to increase control on
colonists.
Stamp Act Congress in 1765 is first expression of
anger.
In 1772, Committees of Correspondence form.
Oppressive acts continue, particularly on tea.
First Continental Congress
Held in Philadelphia in September 1774.
Colonists want to iron out differences with king.
Adopt Declaration of Rights and Resolves.
War begins in Lexington and Concord.
Second Continental Congress
Held in Philadelphia beginning in May 1775.
Adopt Olive Branch Petition; it is rejected by the
king.
Thomas Paine issues Common Sense.
Delegates call for independence in June 1776.
Write and adopt Declaration of Independence.
Document draws heavily on the ideas of John
Locke.
The Articles of Confederation
In a confederation, states are most powerful.
Articles are first attempt at independent
government.
Create a loose “league of friendship”.
Congress has limited power, states are strong.
No executive or judicial branches, no power to
tax.
Shays’ Rebellion viewed as a sign of Articles’
weakness.
The Constitutional Convention
Held in Philadelphia in May 1787 to revise the
Articles.
Fifty-five delegates from across the colonies
attend.
Refer to delegates as “Founding Fathers” or
Framers.
Has been debate about Framers’ motives.
Virginia Plan
Plan favored by the large states.
Three-branch government.
Two-house legislature.
One house chosen by people, one by legislatures.
Legislature can chose executive and judiciary.
New Jersey Plan
Strengthen Articles.
One house legislature with one vote for each
state.
Representatives chosen by state legislatures.
Congress can raise revenues from duties on
imports.
Supreme Court with life terms appointed by
executive.
Great Compromise
Two-house legislature: House and Senate.
House chosen by people, Senate by state
legislatures.
House based on population, two per state in
Senate.
Revenue bills originate in the House.
National government is supreme.
Chief executive chooses Supreme Court.
Appeases both large and small states.
Other Compromises
Three-Fifths Compromise regarding slavery.
Committee on Unfinished Portions handles
executive.
President with four-year term, Electoral College.
President can be removed from office by
Congress.
Basic Ideas of the Constitution
Separation of powers between three branches.
Checks and balances provide oversight.
Government takes the form of a federal system.
Article I: Legislative Branch
Bicameral, Senate and House.
Sets out terms, selection, and apportionment.
Section 8 lists enumerated powers.
Final clause is necessary and proper clause.
This is the basis for Congress’ implied powers.
Article II: Executive Branch
President with a four-year term.
Qualifications for and removal from office.
Lists powers of the office.
Commander in chief, treaties, appointments.
Sets out State of the Union Address.
Article III: Judicial Branch
Establishes only a Supreme Court.
Sets boundaries of Supreme Court’s jurisdiction.
Gives Congress the power to establish lower
courts.
Articles IV-VII
Article IV includes full faith and credit clause.
Article IV includes provisions about new states.
Article V discusses amendment.
Article VI contains the supremacy clause.
Article VII contains provisions for ratification.
Ratifying the Constitution
States hold ratifying conventions; tensions run
high.
Federalists support the document.
Anti-Federalists oppose the document.
The Federalist Papers play a key role.
New Hampshire was ninth to ratify.
Later states demand a Bill of Rights.
Formal Amendment
Two stages: proposal and ratification.
Can be proposed by Congress or state
legislatures.
State legislatures have never proposed.
Can be ratified by state legislatures or
conventions.
Convention only used for Twenty-First
Amendment.
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