Tuesday, September 9, 2008

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

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