The Constitution

Chapter 2

Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as

Longman.

Edwards, Wattenberg, and Lineberry

Government in America: People, Politics, and Policy

Fourteenth Edition

Definition◦ A constitution is a nation’s basic law. It creates

political institutions, assigns or divides powers in government, and often provides certain guarantees to citizens.

Sets the broad rules of the game The rules are not neutral; some participants

and policy options have advantages over others.

Constitution

The Road to Revolution◦ Colonists faced tax increases after the French and

Indian War.◦ Colonists lacked direct representation in

parliament.◦ Colonial leaders formed the Continental Congress

to address abuses of the English Crown.

Origins of the Constitution

Origins of the Constitution

Declaring Independence◦ In May and June 1776, the Continental Congress

debated resolutions for independence.◦ The Declaration of Independence, which listed the

colonists grievances against the British, is adopted on July 4, 1776.

◦ Politically, the Declaration was a polemic, announcing and justifying revolution.

Origins of the Constitution

The English Heritage: The Power of Ideas◦ Natural rights: rights inherent in human beings,

not dependent on government◦ Consent of the governed: government derives its

authority by sanction of the people◦ Limited Government: certain restrictions should

be placed on government to protect natural rights of citizens

Origins of the Constitution

Origins of the Constitution

Winning Independence◦ In 1783, the American colonies prevailed in their

war against England. The “Conservative” Revolution

◦ Restored rights the colonists felt they had lost◦ Not a major change of lifestyles

Origins of the Constitution

The Articles of Confederation◦ The first document to govern the United States, it

was adopted in 1777 and ratified in 1781.◦ It established a confederation, a “league of

friendship and perpetual union” among 13 states and former colonies.

◦ Congress had few powers; there was no president or national court system.

◦ All government power rested in the states.

The Government That Failed

Changes in the States◦ Liberalized voting laws increased political

participation and power among a new middle class.

◦ An expanding economic middle class of farmers and craft workers counterbalanced the power of the old elite of professionals and wealthy merchants.

◦ Ideas of equality spread and democracy took hold.

The Government That Failed

The Government that Failed

Economic Turmoil◦ Postwar depression left farmers unable to pay

debts◦ State legislatures sympathetic to farmers and

passed laws that favored debtors over creditors Shays’ Rebellion

◦ Series of attacks on courthouses by a small band of farmers led by Revolutionary War Captain Daniel Shays to block foreclosure proceedings.

◦ Economic elite concerned about Articles’ inability to limit these violations of individual’s property rights

The Government That Failed

The Aborted Annapolis Meeting◦ An attempt to discuss changes to the Articles of

Confederation in September 1786◦ Attended by only 12 delegates from 5 states◦ Called for a meeting in May 1787 to further

discuss changes—the Constitutional Convention

The Government That Failed

Gentlemen in Philadelphia◦ 55 men from 12 of the 13 states◦ Mostly wealthy planters and merchants◦ Most were college graduates with some political

experience◦ Many were coastal residents from the larger

cities, not the rural areas

Making a Constitution:The Philadelphia Convention

Philosophy into Action◦ Human Nature, which is self-interested◦ Political Conflict, which leads to factions◦ Objects of Government, including the

preservation of property◦ Nature of Government, which sets power against

power so that no one faction rises above and overwhelms another

The Philadelphia Convention

The Equality Issues◦ Equality and Representation of the States

New Jersey Plan—equal representation in states Virginia Plan—population-based representation Connecticut Compromise

◦ Slavery Three-fifths compromise

◦ Political Equality and voting left to states

The Agenda in Philadelphia

The Agenda in Philadelphia

The Economic Issues◦ States had tariffs on products from other states◦ Paper money was basically worthless◦ Congress couldn’t raise money◦ Actions taken:

Powers of Congress to be strengthened Powers of states to be limited

The Agenda in Philadelphia

The Agenda in Philadelphia

The Individual Rights Issues◦ Some were written into the Constitution:

Prohibits suspension of writ of habeas corpus No bills of attainder No ex post facto laws Religious qualifications for holding office prohibited Strict rules of evidence for conviction of treason Right to trial by jury in criminal cases

◦ Some were not specified Freedom of speech and expression Rights of the accused

The Agenda in Philadelphia

To prevent a tyranny of the majority, Madison proposed a government of:◦ Limiting Majority Control◦ Separating Powers◦ Creating Checks and Balances◦ Establishing a Federal System

The Madisonian Model

The Madisonian Model

The Madisonian Model

The Constitutional Republic◦ Republic: A form of government in which the

people select representatives to govern them and make laws

◦ Favors the status quo – change is slow The End of the Beginning

◦ The document was approved, but not unanimously. Now it had to be ratified.

The Madisonian Model

Ratifying the Constitution

Federalist Papers◦ A collection of 85 articles written by Alexander

Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison under the name “Publius” to defend the Constitution

Bill of Rights◦ The first 10 amendments to the U.S.

Constitution, drafted in response to some of the Anti-Federalist concerns about the lack of basic liberties

Ratifying the Constitution

Ratifying the Constitution

Ratification◦ Lacking majority support, the Federalists specified

that the Constitution be ratified by state conventions, not state legislatures.

◦ Delaware first ratified the Constitution on December 7, 1787.

◦ New Hampshire’s approval (the ninth state to ratify) made the Constitution official six months later.

Ratifying the Constitution

Constitutional Change

The Informal Process of Constitutional Change◦ Judicial Interpretation

Marbury v. Madison (1803): judicial review◦ Changing Political Practice◦ Technology◦ Increasing Demands on Policymakers

Constitutional Change

The Constitution is short, with fewer than 8,000 words.

It does not prescribe every detail.◦ There is no mention of congressional

committees or independent regulatory commissions.

The Constitution is not static, but flexible for future generations to determine their own needs.

The Importance of Flexibility

The Constitution and Democracy◦ The Constitution is rarely described as

democratic.◦ There has been a gradual democratization of

the Constitution. The Constitution and the Scope of

Government◦ Much of the Constitution reinforces

individualism and provides multiple access points for citizens.

◦ It also encourages stalemate and limits government.

Understanding the Constitution

The Constitution was ratified to strengthen congressional economic powers, even with disagreements over issues of equality.

Protection of individual rights guaranteed through the Bill of Rights.

Formal and informal changes continue to shape our Madisonian system of government.

Summary