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Questions and Answers
What was the principal reason for the framers' preference for a federal union during the formation of the Constitution?
What was the principal reason for the framers' preference for a federal union during the formation of the Constitution?
Which of the following was NOT a focus during the debates about the details of government?
Which of the following was NOT a focus during the debates about the details of government?
How did the history of the British constitution influence the framers of the American Constitution?
How did the history of the British constitution influence the framers of the American Constitution?
What sentiment was expressed by critics regarding the new Constitution?
What sentiment was expressed by critics regarding the new Constitution?
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Which historical event provided a vivid representation of the lessons learned by Americans as colonists?
Which historical event provided a vivid representation of the lessons learned by Americans as colonists?
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Study Notes
The Founding Fathers and Clio
- The Constitution combined central authority and local autonomy.
- Debates focused on specific details like the veto power of the President, impeachment, and the origin of money bills.
- Many Founding Fathers felt the new Constitution was too similar to English government.
- The Founders drew on their experiences as colonists and revolutionists.
- They were familiar with the Stamp Act controversy and Shays' Rebellion, exemplifying the necessity of self-government.
- The Founders referenced both ancient and modern confederations like the Achaean League, the Amphictyonic Council, the United Netherlands, the German Confederation, and the Swiss Union.
- They cited the works of political philosophers and legal experts, like Grotius, Vattel, Sidney, Harrington, Locke, Blackstone, and Montesquieu.
- The Founders debated Montesquieu's theory that republics should be small, arguing that the principle of representation was different in the US.
- The Founders did not fully understand the revolutionary impact of new transportation and communication technologies on the size of republics.
- The Founding Fathers, despite limitations, benefitted from the study of history and learned from the experience of past confederations.
- The Constitution's failure to clearly define the nature of the union and the location of sovereignty could not be avoided simply by studying historical records, as the form was unique.
- The Founding Fathers recognized their heritage, acknowledging the long journey towards independence and the merging of different cultural paths.
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Course Reading 6 option 4
