9/9 notes

The Constitution:

• defines the basic structure of government
• creates national (3-part) government that recognizes the authority of the states
• rooted in the American Revolution

Declaration of Independence:

• derived from John Locke with his ideas on natural rights for people
• social contract theory- people elect the leaders but they can also get rid of them
• contains the problems with the King of England's actions

The Articles of Confederation:

• the first attempt of a written outline of government
• confederation- a loose association of independent states that agree to cooperate on specified matters. States are sovereign

Problems with the Articles:

• government couldn't tax
• no provision was made for an independent leader to direct government
• gov. couldn't regulate interstate and foreign commerce
• gov. couldn't quell Shay's rebellion
• any state could veto any changes to the Constitution

Republic- gov. based on the consent of the governed and power is exercised by elected reps.

Constitutional Convention:

• in Philadelphia in 1787
• met to revise Articles of Confederation

The Virginia Plan:

• power would be divided among 3 separate branches
• the legislative branch would be bicameral with the house of Reps and the Senate and could override state law
• executive had an unspecified # of people elected by legislative branch for a single term of office.
• national judiciary would include 1+ Supreme Courts and judges appointed for life
• the executive and a number of national judges would serve as a council of revision to approve/veto legislative acts

The New Jersey Plan:

• a single-chamber legislature with power to raise revenue and regulate commerce
• states would have equal representation in legislature and states chose the members
• a multi-person executive branch elected by legislature
  
• no provision for a national judiciary
• the acts of the national legislature would be binding on the states

The Great Compromise:

• representation on the house of reps. would be based on population, but there would be = rep. in the Senate
• An electoral college was created solely for electing the president and VP to eliminate the fear of popular vote while satisfying the small states' desire for a say in things.
• president- eligible for reelection and one term = 4 years
• The House of Reps., the Senate, and the Chief Justice would take part in vetoing the president