Exam 1 Hobbes-Healthcare Textbook

James Madison

The fourth president.

"Father of the Constitution"

Pivotal role in drafting and promoting the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

James Madison’s Vision for a Lasting Republic

• Madison’s Study of Government Failures

  • Studied past republics and their collapses.

  • Aimed to balance power to prevent tyranny and anarchy.

• Challenges of the Post-Revolutionary Period

  • Economic disruption, foreign threats, and internal unrest.

  • Need for a stronger yet limited central government.

• Madison’s Preparations for Reform

  • Advocated for a new government that could effectively govern while protecting rights.

  • Prepared for the Annapolis Convention and later the Constitutional Convention.

The Virginia Plan

proposed by James Madison at the Constitutional Convention of 1787, was a blueprint for a new national government that favored large states.

Key features of the Virginia plan included.

Key features included:

1. Bicameral Legislature – A two-house (bicameral) Congress with representation based on state population.

2. Strong National Government – Shifted power from state governments to a centralized federal government.

3. Three Branches of Government – Legislative, Executive, and Judicial branches, ensuring separation of powers.

4. Proportional Representation – Both houses of Congress would have representation based on a state's population or financial contributions.

5. Legislative Powers – The national legislature could override state laws and regulate national matters.

6. Executive Selection – The legislature would choose the executive, who would serve a single term.

7. Judiciary – A national judiciary would be established, appointed by the legislature.

The Virginia Plan was opposed by small states, leading to a compromise with the New Jersey Plan and ultimately the Great Compromise, which created a House of Representatives (based on population) and a Senate (equal representation for all states).

Challenges in Forming a Government

• Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation

  • Lacked strong central authority.

  • Could not effectively regulate trade or enforce laws.

• Annapolis Convention (1786) & Call for Change

  • Poor attendance but led to the Philadelphia Convention.

  • Set the stage for drafting a new Constitution.

• Madison’s Role in the Philadelphia Convention

  • Proposed the Virginia Plan (strong central government with three branches).

  • Advocated for a republic that could withstand internal and external pressures.

The Constitutional Convention & Compromise

• The Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise)

  • Resolved disputes between large and small states.

  • Created a bicameral legislature (House of Representatives based on population, Senate with equal representation).

• The Three-Fifths Compromise

  • Counted enslaved individuals as three-fifths of a person for representation.

• Checks and Balances

  • Executive, legislative, and judicial branches designed to limit power.

The Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise)

• Resolved disputes between large and small states.

• Created a bicameral legislature (House of Representatives based on population, Senate with equal representation).

The Three-Fifths Compromise

Counted enslaved individuals as three-fifths of a person for representation.

Checks and Balances

Executive, legislative, and judicial branches designed to limit power.

Institutions of Government & Power Distribution

• Legislative Branch (Congress)

  • House of Representatives (population-based representation).

  • Senate (equal representation for states).

• Executive Branch (President)

  • Enforces laws and serves as Commander-in-Chief.

  • Checks on power via impeachment and veto process.

• Judicial Branch (Supreme Court & Lower Courts)

  • Interprets laws and determines constitutionality.

  • Ensures legal consistency and protection of rights.

Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists Debate

• Federalists (Madison, Hamilton, Jay)

  • Supported strong central government.

  • Published the Federalist Papers to advocate for ratification.

  • Believed checks and balances would prevent tyranny.

• Anti-Federalists (Patrick Henry, George Mason)

  • Feared government would be too powerful.

  • Demanded a Bill of Rights to protect individual liberties.

• Compromise: The Bill of Rights

  • First ten amendments added to protect freedoms (speech, press, religion, etc.).

Contradictions in Madison’s Legacy

• Madison’s stance on liberty vs. his personal practices

  • Advocated for individual rights but enslaved people throughout his life.

  • Proposed a gradual emancipation plan but never enacted it.

  • Highlighted contradictions between the ideals of freedom and the reality of systemic oppression.

Study Tips

• Review the Federalist and Anti-Federalist arguments by reading excerpts from the Federalist Papers.

• Memorize key compromises (Great Compromise, Three-Fifths Compromise, Bill of Rights).

• Understand Madison’s role and how his ideas influenced the Constitution.

• Be prepared to discuss contradictions in the founding ideals vs. reality (e.g., slavery and liberty).

Federalism and the U.S. Constitution

• The Constitution begins with "We the People", emphasizing that sovereignty rests with the people, not the government.

• The Articles of Confederation originally placed most authority with state governments, leading to difficulties in national governance.

• The Constitution created a dual system of government where:

  • Some powers belong exclusively to the national government.

  • Some powers are reserved for state governments.

  • Some powers are shared between federal and state governments.

• The exact boundaries of federal and state authority were not clearly defined in the Constitution, leading to ongoing debates and legal battles.

The Tension Between State and Federal Laws

• Marijuana policy is a prime example of conflict between state and federal authority.

  • As of April 2022, 18 states legalized recreational cannabis, and most states permitted medical use.

  • Some states, like Illinois, implemented racial justice measures, including pardoning past cannabis-related offenses.

  • Federal law (Controlled Substances Act - CSA) still classified marijuana as a Schedule I drug, making its use illegal nationwide despite state laws.

The question of federal supremacy: Where does Congress get the power to override state laws?

Gonzales v. Raich (2005)

• Background of the Case:

  • Two California residents, Angel Raich and Diane Monson, were legally using medical marijuana under California’s Compassionate Use Act (1996).

  • Both had severe medical conditions and relied on cannabis for treatment.

  • Conflict: The federal government (DEA) still classified marijuana as illegal, seizing Monson’s plants despite local law enforcement deeming them legal under state law.

• Legal Challenge:

  • Raich and Monson sued the federal government, arguing that:

    • Federal law violated their constitutional rights.

    • The Controlled Substances Act (CSA) overstepped Congress’s powers.

• Supreme Court Ruling (2005):

  • The Court ruled in favor of the federal government.

  • It upheld the CSA’s authority to regulate marijuana nationwide, even in states where it was legal.

Justification: The Commerce Clause of the Constitution allows Congress to regulate activities that affect interstate commerce, even if the cannabis was grown and used only in-state.

 Evolution of Federalism Over Time

• Early Federalism: The Constitution originally created a balance of power between states and the federal government.

• The New Deal (1930s): Greatly expanded federal power, particularly through economic and social programs.

• Modern Federalism:

  • The federal government exerts influence over states (e.g., drug laws, healthcare, environmental regulations).

  • States increasingly challenge federal authority on issues like marijuana, immigration, and healthcare.

  • Future of federalism: Likely to continue evolving as states push for autonomy while the federal government asserts national priorities.

 Key Takeaways

• The tension in American federalism is an ongoing debate, particularly in areas like drug policy.

• The Constitution provides a framework but does not clearly define the boundaries between state and federal powers.

• The Supreme Court often decides disputes over federalism (e.g., Gonzales v. Raich).

• Federalism has evolved significantly from the founding era to the modern period, with federal power generally increasing.

• State-led movements, such as cannabis legalization, challenge federal authority and could shape future changes in federalism.

This guide highlights key concepts, legal cases, and the evolution of federalism, giving you a strong foundation for your exam. Let me know if you need a more detailed breakdown or additional study questions!