U.S. Constitution: Key Principles, Compromises, and Amendments

Weakness 1 of the AoC

Congress could not raise an army, b/c they had no power to tax or build an army.

Weakness 2 of the AoC

Cong. could not regulate economy, b/c trade was between states, and they were printing worthless money.

Weakness 3 of AOC

No Executive to determine needs

No Judiciary to settle disputes

What event in Massachusetts in 1786-1787 convinced political leaders that the Articles needed revising?

Shay's rebellion

New Jersey Plan

Liked by small states

Virginia Plan

Liked by larger states

Great Compromise

one house by population

one house each state equal vote

3/5 Compromise

Slaves would count as 3/5 person for

representation in House and taxation

What the South agreed to:

States agreed Congress could regulate commerce

Congress could tax imports

States could not tax imports from other states or other countries

What the North agreed to

Congress could not outlaw slave trade before 1808

Congress could not tax exports

2/3 Senate required to ratify treaties

Other Compromises

-President would be indirectly elected by Electoral College

-If no candidate won Electoral College, House would elect president

-Presidential terms of 4 years with no term limits

-Suffrage would be left to the states

Famous Federalists:

Alexander Hamilton, John Adams, John Jay

Famous anti federalists

Thomas Jefferson, Sam Adams, John Hancock. Patrick Henry

What did political leaders promise to add to the constitution?

Bill of Rights and require 9 out of 13 states to vote for ratifictaion

Article 1

Legislative

Article 2

Executive

Article 3

Judicial

Article 4

State's issues

Article 5

Amendment Process

Article 6

Supremacy Clause

Article 7

Ratification

1st Amendment

2nd Amendment

3rd Amendment

4th Amendment

5th Amendment

6th Amendment

7th Amendment

8th Amendment

9th Amendment

10th Amendment

1st type of Amendments

Expansion of Voting Rights

2nd type of Amendments

Expanding Civil Rights and Liberties

3rd type of Amendments

Election and Succession of President

4th type of Amendments

Expanding Power of Federal Government

5th type of Amendments

Limiting Power of Federal Government

propose amendments

2/3 Both houses of Congress or

2/3 of states can ask Congress to propose

ratify amendments

¾ of state legislatures or ¾ of state conventions elected

by the people

Informal Amendments to the Constitution:

Redefining treaties, like the Louisiana purchase.

The idea that ultimate authority rests with the people

Popular Sovereignty

Government powers are defined by a written constitution

Limited Gov.

Powers of the government divided between three branches

Separation of powers

Supreme Court is final authority on the meaning of Constitution.

Court may declare laws of Congress and actions of Executive unconstitutional

Judicial review

The division of power between states and the central government

federalism

Legislature checks Executive

Override veto

Legislature checks Judiciary

Amend constitution

Executive checks Legislature

veto

Executive checks Judiciary

Pardoning

Judiciary checks Legislature

declare laws unconstitutional

Judiciary checks Executive

delcare prez. actions as unconstitutional