The Constitution

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The Constitution
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I. The Problem with Liberty

• The Colonial Mind
• Belief that British Politicians were corrupt
• Belief in a higher law of Natural Rights
• The Revolution
• Radical change in belief about authority
• Government by consent
• Power in a constitution
• Legislative superior to executive
• Weakness of the Confederation
• Could not tax
• Sovereignty by states
• One vote in Congress for each state
• Nine of thirteen votes in Congress
• Little coined by congress
• Army Small

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II. The constitution Convention

• The Framers
• Men of Practical affairs
• Army Veterans
• Many did not show
• The Virginia Plan
• Strong National Government
• 2 house in Legislative
• Executive chosen by Legislative
• Two Key features of the Plan
• National Legislative with supreme powers
• 1 Legislative house elected by people
• The New Jersey Plan
• Amend rather than replace Articles
• One vote per state
• Protect small state, strong national govt
• The Great Compromise
• House of Reps (based on pop) elect by people
• Senate 2 per state (elected by state
  legislatives)
• Reconciled intersects of large and small states

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III. The Constitution of Democracy

• Founders did not intend to create direct
  democracy
• Impossible in a rast country
• Mistrust of popular passion
• Republic, govt w/ system of Representation
• Popular rule by one element of government
• State legislatives to elect senators
• Electors choose Pres
• 2 kinds of Majorities House/Senate
• Judicial Review
• Amendment Process
• Key Principles
• Sep of Powers
• Federalism
• The reasons for the absence of the Bill of Rights
• Habeus Corpus
• No Bill of attainder
• No ex post facto law
• Trial by Jury
• Priv/Immunities

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IV. Constitutional Reform

• Critics
• Government to weak
• Bows to special interest
• Elect college
• State powers
• Balanced Budget