Promoting Liberty and Self-Government

CHAPTER 2: CONSTITUTIONAL DEMOCRACY

SECTION 1: AMERICA’S POLITICAL BEGINNINGS

I. Basic Government Conceptsa) A gradual Process

b) Foundations of American Government

1) Ordered Government

2) Limited Government

3) Representative Government

II. Sovereignty of the English Colonies

III. Early attempts at Unitya) New England Confederation

b) Albany Plan of the Union

c) Stamp Act Congress

d) 1st Continental Congress

e) 2nd Continental Congress

IV. Declaration of Independence

SECTION 2: CREATING THE CONSTITUTION

• The Framers• Rhode Island• Vast Political Experience

• Organization & Procedure• Secrecy• GW: President of the convention• Rules

DEBATING A NEW LEGISLATURE

• Virginia Plan• Edmund Randolph• “large state plan”

• New Jersey Plan• William Patterson• “small state plan”

• Connecticut Compromise• Current situation

SLAVERY & THE CONSTITUTION

• 3/5 Compromise• Representation• Electoral Votes

• Commerce & Slave Trade Compromise• International Slave Trade 1808

SECTION 3: RATIFYING THE CONSTITUTION & PRINCIPLES OF THE CONSTITUTION

• The Fight for Ratification • Federalists• 9 of 13 States • Argument: need a new government

• Anti-Federalists • Fear of central government• Bill of Rights

SECTION 3: PRINCIPLES OF THE CONSTITUTION

#1: Checks & Balances• L > E• L > J• L > J & E• E > L• E > J• J > L & E

#2 Judicial Review • Federalist 78• Federalist 51• Marbury v. Madison

#3: Popular Sovereignty• A government of the people, by the people, for the people

#4 Limited Government • Government is not all powerful

#5 Separation of Powers • Distributed among three distinct & independent branches of government

#6 Federalism • Division of Power

THE BILL OF RIGHTS

• Formal Amendment Process• 2/3 Congress, ¾ state legislators

• Informal Changes to the Constitution • Basic Legislation

• Executive Action

• Court Decisions

• Party Practices

• Custom

SECTION 4: PROVIDING FOR SELF-GOVERNMENT

I. The Framer’s fear: Tyranny of the Majoritya) Democracy v. Republic

b) Limiting Popular Rule in selecting National Office Holders

I. Power to the Peoplea) Jeffersonian Democracy

• Constitution is designed for all

b) Jacksonian Democracy• President = represent the “whole” people • Tie Electoral Votes to Popular

(peoples) Vote

c) Progressive reforms of the early 20th Century• Delegates vs. Trustees • Initiative, Referendum, Recall • 17th Amendment • Primary Elections