Unit 1.1
- 1. UNIT #1: Constitutional underpinnings of the u.s. government Considerations that Influenced the Formulation and Adoption of the Constitution (p.p. 28-52) LEQ: How do we reconcile economic inequality with political freedom?
- 2. Origins of the Constitution Declaration of Independence (31) John Locke’s Natural Rights (32) John Locke’s Consent of the Governed (32) John Locke’s Limited Government (32)
- 3. Origins of the Constitution (cont’d) Traditional view of government: King had divine right to absolute rule over his subjects New view of government: certain things are beyond the realm of government
- 4. What did the framers think the purpose of government was? Property=wealth The government should preserve individual property Patient Sufferance (33) Thomas Jefferson: the government should secure rights, e.g. “life, liberty...”
- 5. Articles of Confederation Articles of Confederation (35) Government dominated by states, failed Fear that a strong central government would become tyrannical (remember the King?) Congress had little power, they could not: regulate commerce, tax, develop strong national economy
- 6. Dissatisfaction over the Articles of Confederation Democracy/liberty for white males only Positive change: power shift, new middle class Economic turmoil/post Revolutionary War depression Shay’s Rebellion (37) Congress can’t raise militia to deal with conflict(s) Annapolis Meeting calls for meeting of the states
- 7. The Philadelphia Convention Purpose of Convention: revise Articles of Confederation Republican Government (38) Delegates agreed on four things: human nature, political conflict, objects of government, and the nature of republican government
- 8. What is Human Nature? Thomas Hobbes’ Leviathan (38) Without a strong government, life will be “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short.” (The premise of every zombie movie. Ever.) People are self-interested Government should play a key role in containing self- interest of people
- 9. Roots of Political Conflict James Madison’s view: distribution of wealth is the source of political conflict. (2012 Campaign?) Factions (39)
- 10. The Writers of the Constitution They’re all wealthy, they all want to preserve that wealth (property) Primary objective: preserve individual rights to acquire and hold wealth
- 11. Nature of Government Power should be set against power, so no one faction would overwhelm the other To avoid tyranny, checks and balances and the separation of powers
- 12. Equality & Representation of the States NJ Plan (41) VA Plan (41) CT Compromise (41) 3/5 Compromise (42) States decide voting qualifications
- 13. Economic Issues Federalists (43) (49) Anti-Federalists (43) (49) Under Articles of Confederation, there was a chaotic union of states, e.g. New Jersey may not have accepted money brought from New York
- 14. Constitution Give Congress Power It granted Congress the power to create the conditions with which markets would flourish: They became the chief economic policy maker They had power to tax and borrow for revenue They could regulate interstate/foreign commerce
- 15. Individual Rights Issues Constitution says little of personal freedoms, what is protected? Writ of Habeas Corpus (45) Bills of Attainder (45) Ex Post Facto Laws (45)
- 16. The Madison Model What is tyranny of the majority? Fear of factions, majority could out-vote minority faction How would Madison avoid a tyranny of the majority?
- 17. The Madison Model (cont’d) How would Madison avoid tyranny of the majority? Limiting Majority Control, e.g. only House is within direct control of the votes of the majority Separation of Powers (46) Checks and Balances (47) Division of power between national/state governments (federalism)
- 18. The Constitutional Republic Republic (48) Checks and balances & separation of powers slows change If you desire change you must have a sizable majority, this makes it hard for the majority/minority to tyrannize What do critics say about the Madisonian Model?
- 19. Federalists & Anti- Federalists Federalists (49) Anti-Federalists (49) Federalist Papers (49) Table 2.5 (50) What does ratify mean? 9/13 states need to approve Constitution
- 20. Bill of Rights Bill of Rights (51) Table 2.6 (51) Bill of Rights restrained national government from limiting personal freedoms Constitution weakened the power of the states What are some fears of the Anti-Federalists?