To Accompany Comprehensive, Alternate, and Texas Editions

American Government: Roots and Reform, 10th edition

Karen O’Connor and Larry J. Sabato

Pearson Education, 2009

Chapter 2

The Constitution

The Roots of a New Nation

Tensions begin to build in 1760s.

British use mercantilism to justify control.

French and Indian War increases dependence.

Series of acts passed to increase control on

colonists.

Stamp Act Congress in 1765 is first expression of

anger.

In 1772, Committees of Correspondence form.

Oppressive acts continue, particularly on tea.

First Continental Congress

Held in Philadelphia in September 1774.

Colonists want to iron out differences with king.

Adopt Declaration of Rights and Resolves.

War begins in Lexington and Concord.

Second Continental Congress

Held in Philadelphia beginning in May 1775.

Adopt Olive Branch Petition; it is rejected by the

king.

Thomas Paine issues Common Sense.

Delegates call for independence in June 1776.

Write and adopt Declaration of Independence.

Document draws heavily on the ideas of John

Locke.

The Articles of Confederation

In a confederation, states are most powerful.

Articles are first attempt at independent

government.

Create a loose “league of friendship”.

Congress has limited power, states are strong.

No executive or judicial branches, no power to

tax.

Shays’ Rebellion viewed as a sign of Articles’

weakness.

The Constitutional Convention

Held in Philadelphia in May 1787 to revise the

Articles.

Fifty-five delegates from across the colonies

attend.

Refer to delegates as “Founding Fathers” or

Framers.

Has been debate about Framers’ motives.

Virginia Plan

Plan favored by the large states.

Three-branch government.

Two-house legislature.

One house chosen by people, one by legislatures.

Legislature can chose executive and judiciary.

New Jersey Plan

Strengthen Articles.

One house legislature with one vote for each

state.

Representatives chosen by state legislatures.

Congress can raise revenues from duties on

imports.

Supreme Court with life terms appointed by

executive.

Great Compromise

Two-house legislature: House and Senate.

House chosen by people, Senate by state

legislatures.

House based on population, two per state in

Senate.

Revenue bills originate in the House.

National government is supreme.

Chief executive chooses Supreme Court.

Appeases both large and small states.

Other Compromises

Three-Fifths Compromise regarding slavery.

Committee on Unfinished Portions handles

executive.

President with four-year term, Electoral College.

President can be removed from office by

Congress.

Basic Ideas of the Constitution

Separation of powers between three branches.

Checks and balances provide oversight.

Government takes the form of a federal system.

Article I: Legislative Branch

Bicameral, Senate and House.

Sets out terms, selection, and apportionment.

Section 8 lists enumerated powers.

Final clause is necessary and proper clause.

This is the basis for Congress’ implied powers.

Article II: Executive Branch

President with a four-year term.

Qualifications for and removal from office.

Lists powers of the office.

Commander in chief, treaties, appointments.

Sets out State of the Union Address.

Article III: Judicial Branch

Establishes only a Supreme Court.

Sets boundaries of Supreme Court’s jurisdiction.

Gives Congress the power to establish lower

courts.

Articles IV-VII

Article IV includes full faith and credit clause.

Article IV includes provisions about new states.

Article V discusses amendment.

Article VI contains the supremacy clause.

Article VII contains provisions for ratification.

Ratifying the Constitution

States hold ratifying conventions; tensions run

high.

Federalists support the document.

Anti-Federalists oppose the document.

The Federalist Papers play a key role.

New Hampshire was ninth to ratify.

Later states demand a Bill of Rights.

Formal Amendment

Two stages: proposal and ratification.

Can be proposed by Congress or state

legislatures.

State legislatures have never proposed.

Can be ratified by state legislatures or

conventions.

Convention only used for Twenty-First

Amendment.

Informal Amendment

Judicial interpretation.

Social and cultural change.

Figure 2.1- British Land Claims, 1763

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Figure 2.2- Separation of Powers

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Figure 2.3- Amending the Constitution

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Table 2.1- Articles and the Constitution

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Table 2.2- Federalists and Anti-Federalists

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