Constitutional foundations (Unit 1)

Page 1: Introduction

  • US Government Unit 1: Constitutional Foundations

Page 2: What is Government?

  • Definition: A formal organization of individuals structured to implement policies that affect laws within a specific jurisdiction of people.

Page 3: Enlightenment Philosophers Influencing the US Constitution

  • Key Philosophers:

    • Thomas Hobbes

    • Charles de Montesquieu

    • Jean Jacques Rousseau

    • John Locke

Page 4: Thomas Hobbes

  • Government is essential to protect individuals and life.

  • Without government, individuals may harm each other.

  • Submission to government is necessary in exchange for protection.

Page 5: Charles de Montesquieu

  • Advocated for three branches of government and a checks and balances system.

  • Purpose: To prevent any single branch from gaining too much power.

Page 6: Jean Jacques Rousseau

  • Introduced the idea that government requires the consent of the governed.

  • Principle impacts future US government structure.

Page 7: John Locke

  • Identified life, liberty, and property as natural rights given by God.

  • Government's role: Respect and protect these rights.

  • Relevant constitutional validation: Bill of Rights.

Page 8: Additional Influences on the US Constitution

  • The Roman Republic

  • The English Magna Carta

  • Republicanism

Page 9: The Roman Republic

  • Relevance to American governance highlighted through history.

Page 10: Lessons from Roman History

  • Examples of political revolutions have influenced American Revolution thought.

Page 11: England's Magna Carta

  • Established in 1215, limits the king's power and guarantees rights to a fair trial.

Page 12: Definition of Republicanism

  • Requires an informed and actively participating citizenry.

  • Emphasizes individual liberty and that rights are God-given.

Page 13: Direct Democracy vs Representative Democracy

  • Comparison: Reasons for the preference of one system over the other.

Page 14: The Articles of Confederation

  • Limitations:

    • No federal taxing authority.

    • Congress lacks power to regulate interstate commerce.

    • Absence of executive or judicial branches.

    • Issues with state and national currency.

    • Congress structure: One house, one vote per state, requires 9 of 13 for law passage.

    • Designed to be 'weak.'

Page 15: Evolution from Articles to Constitution

  • Discussion leading to debate and conflict ultimately results in compromise.

Page 16: Major Debates in Philadelphia

  • Debate #1: Size of federal government.

  • Debate #2: Role of state vs federal government (Federalism).

  • Debate #3: Power balance between states (Virginia Plan vs New Jersey Plan).

Page 17: Constitutional Compromises

  • Compromise #1: The Bill of Rights.

  • Compromise #2: The Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise).

  • Compromise #3: 3/5ths Compromise.

Page 18: Changes from Articles to Constitution

  • Federal government gains taxing authority.

  • Congress can regulate trade.

  • Establishment of executive and judicial branches.

  • Only federal government can mint currency.

  • Introduction of a bicameral congress.

  • Simple majority needed for legislation; 2/3rds or 3/4ths for amendments.