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The Constitution replaced the weak Articles of Confederation. The Constitution provided a strong central government that protected individuals and states rights. Two groups emerged from the making of the Constitution, Federalists and Anti-Federalists.

Representative Democracies Vary

Participatory democracy: Stresses participation in society and politics.
Pluralist democracy: Acknowledges group activism towards political decision making.
Elite democracy: Understands the limited amount of participation in society and politics.

Federalist No. 10 vs Brutus No. 1
- Tension between broad participating parties and filtered participating parties.

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Historical Influences on the U.S. Constitution

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Historical Influences on the U.S. Constitution

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Ancient Greece: Athens had a democracy, meaning that a society could vote for representatives.

Ancient Rome: The Roman and Senate had a republic system, meaning the people have the power.

The Enlightenment: A time in history where reason was valued over religion. New ideas about the government were starting to emerge along with the uprising of John Locke, who believed in natural human rights.

Baron de Montesquieu: Believed in the 3 different branches of government; legislative, executive and judicial.

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Believers of the Constitution wanted a stronger government than the Articles of Confederation, but not too strong like a monarchy.

Popular Sovereignty
People had the power and the rulers were below the people.

Limited Government
The government is only allowed to do certain things and make certain laws. The gray area is left up to the states.

Federalism
This divided power between the states and the government. The Federal government is ultimately on top, leading to a strong central government.

Different types of Powers
Delegated: Power of the Federal government.
Reserved: Power of the states.
Concurrent: Shared power between the government and the states.

Government VS State Power
Gov: Declare wars, armed forces, coin money, copyright laws etc.
State: Local governments, elections, provide for public safety, etc.
Both: Taxes, provide public welfare, criminal justice, etc.

Branches of Government
Legislative: Makes laws.
Executive: Enforces laws.
Judicial: Interprets laws.
All branches can check each other and keep each balanced.
Example: Judicial may declare unconstitutional Executive actions.

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The Constitutional Convention discussed replacing the Articles of Confederation, but some many states had different opinions that they had to compromise.

The Great Compromise addressed "How will the states be represented in Congress?" The result was a bicameral (2 house) legislature, with a Senate and House of Representatives.

The Commerce Compromise allowed the Federal government to regulate interstate and foreign trade. The states were allowed to control intrastate trade.

The 3/5ths Compromise allowed slaves to be represented as 3/5ths of a person, voting and taxation wise. This benefited the South in the House of Representatives and Electoral College.

The Slave Trade is banned 20 years after the Constitution goes into effect in 1808.

The Elastic clause cemented the idea of fair and just lawmaking.

Process of Presidential Elections
The electoral college determines a winner when a candidate reaches 270 electoral votes. Each state has a varying amount of votes that is determined by the population. The downside being the candidate with the most popular vote can still lose.

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The Preamble is, “We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”

It is the introduction and explanation to the Constitution.

Article I created the Senate and the House of Representatives. It gives Congress expressed power, implied power, elastic clause and impeachment.

House of Representatives
- Elected every 2 years by the people.
- Representation depends on population
- Financial issues
- 10 year census to determine population and adjust power.
You must be 25 years old and have been a US citizen for 7 years before you can become a representative.

Senate
- 6 year elections determined by the state until 1913. The 16th amendment gave power to the people.
- Each state gets 2 representatives, regardless of population.
- Approves treaties, president cabinet officials, and Supreme Court Nominees.
You must be 30 years old and a US citizen for 9 years.

Powers of Congress
Collect taxes
Regulate Interstate and Foreign Trade
Establish army/navy
Coin money
Declare War/make Peace
Establish a Post Office
Impeachment
The House of Representatives needs a majority vote to impeach.
The Senate holds a trial. 2/3 need to convict and remove from the office.

Implied Powers allows Congress to pass laws that help expressed powers. AKA Necessary and Proper Clause Elastic Clause
Example: Creating a national bank in 1791; Louisiana Purchase in 1803

Lawmaking Process
All bills (except revenue)  start in the House of Congress (either one)
The same bill must be passed through both houses.
The President must sign a bill for it to become law,
OR
If the President vetoes a bill, Congress can override the veto with a 2/3 vote.

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Article II The Executive Branch & Article III 

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Article II The Executive Branch & Article III 

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The president is the leader of the executive branch, which is elected by the Electoral College. Roles of the president include Chief Executive, Commander in Chief, and Head of State. The Executive Branch includes the President, Vice President and Cabinet.

President Qualifications
- 35 years old
- Born citizen of the United States
-  Reside in the US for 14 years.

The president serves a 4 year term. 1951, declared that a President can only serve two 4 period terms. (22nd amendment).

Article III
This is the judicial branch, but the Supreme Court is the highest court. Supreme Court is responsible for Judicial Review.  Judicial Review was established after Marbury v. Madison in 1803.

Supreme Court Qualifications
- No age limit
- No citizenship requirement
- Serve for life