Constitutional Convention and U.S. Constitution Notes
The Constitutional Convention
Participants:
- Discussion of who was included and excluded from the Constitutional Convention.
- Consideration of compromise as a central theme in American history.
- Analysis of when compromise is beneficial versus detrimental to a free, diverse, and self-governing society.
- Establishing criteria to differentiate between constructive and harmful compromises.
Major Compromises:
- Identification of the two major compromises essential for the convention's progress.
Key Terms:
- Virginia Plan: A proposal for a bicameral legislature with representation based on state population.
- New Jersey Plan: A proposal for a unicameral legislature with equal representation for each state.
- Bicameral Legislature: A legislative structure consisting of two chambers or houses.
- Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise): An agreement establishing a bicameral legislature with proportional representation in the lower house (House of Representatives) and equal representation in the upper house (Senate).
- Three-Fifths Compromise: An agreement counting enslaved persons as three-fifths of a person for representation and taxation purposes.
- George Washington: Served as President of the Constitutional Convention.
- James Madison: Known as the "Father of the Constitution" for his significant contributions.
- Benjamin Franklin: An influential delegate who played a key role in encouraging compromise.
The Preamble & U.S. Constitution by Design
Constitution Defined:
- Exploration of what a constitution is and its fundamental purpose.
"We the People":
- Examination of who "We the People of the United States" refers to and how this definition has evolved throughout history.
- Discussion of the motto "E pluribus unum" (out of many, one) and its reflection in American history.
Six Goals of the Preamble:
- Listing and explanation of the six goals outlined in the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution:
- To form a more perfect union.
- To establish justice.
- To ensure domestic tranquility.
- To provide for the common defense.
- To promote the general welfare.
- To secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity.
- Listing and explanation of the six goals outlined in the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution:
Guarding Against Tyranny:
- Analysis of how the U.S. Constitution is designed to prevent tyranny through:
- Federalism: Division of power between a central government and state governments.
- Separation of Powers: Distribution of governmental power among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.
- Checks and Balances: A system in which each branch of government can limit the power of the other branches.
- Analysis of how the U.S. Constitution is designed to prevent tyranny through:
Key Terms:
- Preamble: The introductory statement of the U.S. Constitution, outlining its purposes and guiding principles.
- Popular Sovereignty: The principle that the authority of a government is created and sustained by the consent of its people, through their elected representatives.
- "More Perfect Union": The goal to improve upon the Articles of Confederation and create a more unified and effective government.
- Federalism: A system of government in which power is divided between a national (federal) government and regional (state) governments.
- Separation of Powers: The division of governmental power among three branches: the legislative, executive, and judicial.
- Checks and Balances: A system that allows each branch of government to limit the powers of the other branches, ensuring that no one branch becomes too powerful.