Chapter Two:  The Constitution (pg 33-90)

The Early Colonists

Religious Malcontents and Ambitious Merchants

            Growth of Colonial Rule

            The Seven Years War

            Mercantilism

The Revolution

            Stamp Act, Boston Tea Party, etc.

            The revolution and the Declaration of Independence

The Articles of Confederation

            Unitary Government vs. Confederation

                        (Graphic of Unitary, Confederation, Republic)

            Discussion:  Advantages and Disadvantages of Each System

Problems with the Articles

            No Executive or Judicial Branch

            No power of Taxation, War Debt

            No power to regulate interstate or foreign commerce

            Economic crises of bad harvests, Mercantilism and debt/currency issues

            Shay’s Rebellion

The Miracle at Philadelphia

            Washington, Franklin, Madison and Hamilton

            Mason, Sherman, Jay

            Economic, Legal and Social Interests

The Virginia and New Jersey Plans

            Strong Central vs. Weak Central Government

            Issue of Representation

            Great Compromise:  Dual Legislative Branches

Horse Trading in the Constitution (Regional Issues)

            Navigation Issues and Tariffs (northern states)

            Slavery (three fifths rule)

            Capitol

The Executive Branch

            Direct vs. Legislative Election (checks and balances)

            The Electoral College

            Rules of Impeachment

The Judiciary

            An afterthought

The Basic Principles

            Separation of Power;  Checks and Balances

            Federalism

(Graphic from Pg. 50)

Powers of the Constitution

Clauses

Article I  The Legislative Branch

                        Enumerated Powers

                        Implied Powers

                        Necessary and Proper Clause (elastic clause)

            Article II The Executive Branch

            Article III The Judicial Branch

            Article IV Relations Between States

Full faith and credit;

New states)

            Article V Amending the constitution

                        Super Majorities

            Article VI  The Supremacy Clause

                        States vs. Federal Government

Ratification

            Federalists and Anti-Federalists

            A stronger Federal state vs. State Rights or Individual Rights

            The Bill of Rights

The Bill of Rights

            Limits on the Government’s Power

            Ten of Twelve Amendments

            Response to British Rule (4^th Amendment)

James Buchanan on what a Constitution should do

                        Rules of the Game

                        Limits of Power

                        Initial Side-Deals

Individuals Deciding on Support or Not

                        The Veil of ignorance (John Rawles)

                        Uncertainty over time

                        “playing the game”  Fair vs. Certain Outcomes