road to the constitution. the origins of the constitution declaration of independence pg 693 1=...
DESCRIPTION
Locke’s Influence Natural rights Equality Consent of the governed Limited Government Right to Revolt Parallels on pg 34TRANSCRIPT
Road to the Constitution
The Origins of the Constitution Declaration of Independence pg 693
1= Preamble “When in the course…” 2= Declaration of Natural Rights “We hold these truths…” 3= List of Grievances “Such has been the …” 4= Resolution of Independence by the United States “We,
therefore, the….”
Each group member should read their part of the Declaration and summarize the section in two concise sentences. What is the point and why are they saying it? What is the DOI as a whole? Philosophy? Declaration of War?
System of Government?
Locke’s Influence Natural rights Equality Consent of the governed Limited Government Right to Revolt
Parallels on pg 34
The Articles of Confederation Location of Power
Why? Weaknesses
The Origins of the Constitution
”Turmoil” Shays’ Rebellion Angry farmers mad
about foreclosures attack courthouses
Congress was not able to send an army to stop them
Shows problems of the Articles of Confederation
Who were the founders at the Constitutional Convention? Wealthy planters, lawyers, merchants. Independently wealthy landowners Educated Held a cynical view of human nature
Why? Thomas Hobbes influence?
James Madison
If men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls on government would be necessary. In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men, the great difficulty lies in this: you must first enable the government to control the governed; and in the next place oblige it to control itself.
Madisonian Model
Limiting Majority Control Separating Powers Creating Checks and Balances Establishing a Federal System
Figure 2.3
Issues and Solutions Voting
Let the states decide qualifications (Future problems???) Slavery
Do not forbid it but allow for Congress limit “importing” of slaves in the future
Escaped slaves must be returned to owner Representation
Virginia Plan vs New Jersey Plan= Connecticut Compromise Slaves counted as 3/5ths person
Ratifying the Constitution = 9/13 States
Federalists Weaker state
governments Indirect election Longer terms Government by the
elite Not concerned about
individual liberties
Anti-Federalists Strong state
governments Direct election Short terms of office Government by
common man Strong protections of
individual liberties
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bO7FQsCcbD8
Read Federalist #10 and Objections of George Mason
Bill of Rights
Helps to secure individual liberties the anti-feds were concerned about.
Page 51
Amendment Process Allows Constitution to
adapt over time 2/3rd of Congress and
3/4ths of state legislatures
The Constitution- The Good, Bad, and the Ugly Identify 3
advantages to the “American system of government”
Identify 3 disadvantages to the “American system of government”
Ratification Debate Many of the ideas in the Federalist/Anti-Federalist debates seem to
some quite relevant today. Some would say it all boils down to a question of the benefits of a
strong central government versus states’ rights or the rights of states to make their own decisions. Others would say it is a question of more government controls versus an individual’s personal right to make his or her own decision as to what is best for him or her. After studying both sides of the debates for and against ratification, how do you feel? Based on all that we’ve done this week, would you classify yourself as a Federalist or Anti-Federalist and why?
If the 1787 Constitution were presented today for ratification, would it be ratified? Why or why not? What issues are still relevant today as in1787? What issues are different?