Articles of Confederation were TOO WEAK

New blueprint for a STRONG, FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

Protecting Individual and State's Rights simultaneously

Federalists vs. Antifederalists

Participatory - Broad political participation, civil society

Pluralist - Group-based activism, nongovernmental, political decision-making

Elite - Limited participation in politics, civil society

All models clashed and created lots of tension when the Constitution was being formed

Ancient Grecian cities like Athens are home to the first documented Democratic systems.

The Ancient Roman Republic and Senate were also huge inspirations.

Last but not least, The Enlightenment period gave us new outlooks on not only life, but Government itself.

Stronger than the Articles

Not too powerful

Popular Sovereignty

Limited Government

Federalism

Separation of Powers

Checks and Balances

Delegated Powers - Federal Government

Reserved Powers - State's Rights

Concurrent Powers - Shared between Federal and State

Coin money

Establish foreign policy

Declare war

Regulate trade

Establish local governments

Establish/maintain schools

Conduct elections

Provide for public safety

Raise Taxes

Borrow money

Charter banks

Build roads

Delegates met to discuss the Articles

Different states, Different opinions

Compromises needed deliberation

How will states be represented in Congress?

Bicameral Legislature

House of Representatives

Senate

Allows the Federal Government to regulate foreign trade

States regulate intrastate trade

Counted every enslaved person as 3/5 of a person for tax and census reasons in the South

South gains more members in the House of Representatives and the Electoral College

Slave Trade banned 2 years after the Constitution is ratified

Essentially saying that the laws in Constitution is subject to change depending on what may be needed

How is a President to be elected?

Elected by states?

Popular vote?

Each state's vote determined by population

Need majority (270) of electoral votes to win

However, winner of electoral vote supersedes popular vote

Introduction to the Constitution

Explains the purpose and principles

"We the People [...]"

2 houses of Congress

Powers of Congress

Expressed, Implied, Elastic Clause, Impeachment

Elected every 2 years by the people

Determined by population

All revenue originates from the HOR

Must be 20 y/o, and a US Citizen for 7 years

Census taken every 10 years, could cost states members

Elected every 6 years by the state until 16th Amendment

2 senators per state

Approves of many Presidential actions

Treaties

Cabinet Officials

Supreme Court Nominees

Must be 30 y/o, and a US Citizen for 9 years

The process of removing certain elected officials from office

HOR majority vote

Senate Trial (2/3 must convict)

Trial presided over by Chief Justice

All bills except one dealing in revenue can start in either House of Congress

Bill must be passed through both houses

President can either sign or veto a bill

Congress can override veto with 2/3 vote

Free Speech

Right to Bear Arms

No Quartering Soldiers

Search & Seizure

Wrongful Imprisonment

Fair Trial

Jury

Cruel & Unusual Punishment

Enumerated Rights

State's Rights

State Sovereign Immunity

Clarification of Pres. and VP Elections

Slavery Is Outlawed

Equal Protection

All Races Can Vote

Taxable Income

Senator Voting

Alcohol Is Outlawed

All Genders Can Vote

Term Beginnings

Alcohol Is No Longer Outlawed

Term Limits

District of Columbia Fair Voting

No Poll Taxes

Presidential Successors

18+ Can Vote

No Changing Congressional Salaries

The relationship between States and the Federal Government

States that future generations are allowed to make changes and amendments to the Constitution as times change

"Supreme Law of the Land"

All elected officials in Judiciary or Executive Branches must swear oaths to uphold the Constitution.

Deals with the Ratification of the US Constitution

Everyone who originally signed the Constitution, representing (at the time) all 13 states