POL 106 1st Edition Lecture 3 Outline of Last Lecture I. Citizenship in AmericaII. Ideas That Unite UsIII. Ideas That Divide UsIV. The Split From EnglandV. The Articles of ConfederationOutline of Current Lecture I. Constitutional ConventionII. The [New] ConstitutionIII. RatificationCurrent Lecture Constitutional ConventionWhat Is It?- referred to as “an assembly of demigods”- called to revise Articles of Confederation after concern over Shays’ Rebellion- meetings held in secret- intended to create whole new gov’t- major debate over how much power federal gov’t should have- Shays’ Rebellion made it clear that change was necessary and Articles of Confederation were not workingTwo Competing Plans: (see page 57 in textbook for comparison chart)Virginia Plan - Bicameral legislature- Representation in both based on population- One house elected by people, one elected by state legislatures- Single executive chosen by CongressThese notes represent a detailed interpretation of the professor’s lecture. GradeBuddy is best used as a supplement to your own notes, not as a substitute.- Favored by large statesNew Jersey Plan- Unicameral legislature- Equal representation- Representatives elected by state legislatures- Multi-person executive- Favored by small states The Great Compromise: - Bicameral legislatureo House of Reps based on population and chosen by peopleo Senate based on equal representation and chosen by state legislatures- Single executive chosen by Electoral College- Federal court system- Two other “compromises”- Bill of Rights and 3/5 (Three-Fifths) CompromiseElectoral College: Citizens vote for a slate of electors who cast their votes for candidates about six weeks after the general election.Three-Fifths Compromise: Each slave counts as 3/5 of a person for representation and taxation purposes. The [New] Constitution**3 branch systemLegislative Branch: bicameral legislature that makes lawsExecutive Branch: enforces/executes lawsJudicial Branch: interprets the laws and hears appealsSeparation of Powers: each branch has a separate jobChecks and Balances:- Each branch has some sort of control (“check”) over the other branchesEX) president can veto legislation and Congress can circumvent excessive presidential power by 2/3 override- Any shortcomings in constitution can be addressed by the fact that it can be amendedAmendability: a method of change that allows the Constitution to grow and adapt to new circumstances RatificationRatification: voted on and approved by state conventions in at least nine statesFederalists:- Supported ratification of Constitution- Wanted strong central gov’t- Concerned about security and orderEX) Madison, Hamilton, JayAnti-Federalists:- Opposed ratification of Constitution- Wanted states to have power over federal gov’t- Corruption best kept in check at local levelEX) Samuel Adams, Patrick HenryFederalist Papers:- Written by Madison, Hamilton, and Jay under pen name Publius- Called for ratification of Constitution- Published in NY papers to persuade legislators to ratify Constitution- Among best known: Federalist Nos. 10, 51, and 78Bill of Rights:- Adding Bill of Rights led to adoption of Constitution- Gave Anti-Federalists assurance that civil liberties would not be infringed upon- Provided protection to citizens in areas of:o Free speecho Freedom of presso The rights of criminally accusedo States’ rights- Many historians believe Constitution would not have been ratified without Bill of RightsRatification of Constitution:- Required support of nine out of thirteen state legislatures- Small states quick to support Constitution because of inclusion of senate- Eventually all 13 states ratified it- Rhode Island was last in
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