Philosophers + Founders + Compromises

Unit 1

John Locke

Natural Rights, Social Contract

Charles/Baron de Montesquieu

separation of powers

William Blackstone

Common Law (unwritten laws that come from precedent, tradition, and common sense)

Judeo-Christian Tradition

• inherent human dignity (rights from the people)

• people are inherently flawed (checks and balances)

John Adams

• Republic with bicameral legislature and separation of powers

• Contributed in Revolutionary War and DOI

• 1st VP and 2nd Prez

Alexander Hamilton

• BIG Federalist

• Federalist Papers pushing to ratify Constitution

Thomas Jefferson

• Drafted the Declaration of Independence

• Weak central gov

James Madison

• Father of the Constitution

• Bill of Rights

• 4th Prez

• Helped TJ found Dem-Rep Party

John Jay

• Helped with the Federalist Papers

• Abolitionist

George Mason

• Refused to sign Constitution bc lacked Bill of Rights

• Added Bill of Rights to Virginia Constitution

• Pushed for immediate end to slavery

Roger Sherman

• Supported AoC because of the unicameral legislation 

• Believed that more populous states would suffer if smaller states got more power

• Helped negotiate for the Great Compromise

George Washington

• 1st Prez and leader of Continental Army

• Critical of weak gov and AoC

• Farewell Address - political parties and foreign entanglements

• Established traditions like cabinet

James Wilson

• One of the OG justices appointed by Washington

• Wanted direct election of representatives

• Proposed 3/5ths Compromise

The Great Compromise

• New Jersey vs Virginia Plan => Representation

• Bicameral legislature with Senate (equal rep) and House of Representatives (population based)

The 3/5ths Compromise

A slave would count as ⅗ of a person for taxation and representation

The Commerce and Slave Trade Compromise

The government could regulate interstate commerce, but could not touch the slave trade for 20 years

The Electoral College Compromise

Problems: 1) Who elected the president; 2) Term limit; 3) Length of term

Result:

1) Electoral colleges established indirect election of president through electors

2) One term = 4 years

3) No term limit set (changed in 22nd Amendment in 1951)