- defines the basic structure of government
- creates national (3-part) government that recognizes the authority of the states
- rooted in the American Revolution
- 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 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
- 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
Constitutional Convention:
- in Philadelphia in 1787
- met to revise Articles of Confederation
- 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
- 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
- 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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