Lecture 3 2025 US Constitution PDF

Lecture 3 The US Constitution and Founding Principles The Articles of Confederation Constitution The first US ________________________________ 1781 Ratified in ________________ States viewed themselves as Independent nations _______________________________...

Lecture 3 The US Constitution and Founding Principles The Articles of Confederation Constitution The first US ________________________________ 1781 Ratified in ________________ States viewed themselves as Independent nations ____________________________________________ States wanted to retain Sovereignty ____________________________________________ Did not want a full union but instead referred to their relationship as a “firm league of friendship” ____________________________________________ Confederation ______________________________ - a form of government in which all the power lies with the local units rather than the central unit. Meaning the national government only had power the states allowed it to have. Problems With The Articles of Confederation tax No power to _________________: Congress could not impose or collect taxes directly from citizens; it could only request funds from states. trade No power to regulate _________________________: Congress could not control interstate commerce or foreign trade, leading to disputes and inconsistent policies among states. enforce laws No power to ___________________________________________________: Congress could pass laws but had no executive branch to enforce them, relying instead on state governments. national court system No ____________________________________________________________: There was no federal judiciary to resolve disputes between states or interpret laws uniformly. Problems With The Articles of Confederation standing army No power to raise a _____________________________________________: Congress could not draft soldiers, relying on states to provide militias for defense. unanimous Amendments required __________________________________consent: Any changes to the Articles required the approval of all 13 states, making amendments nearly impossible. currency No centralized authority over _____________________________________: Congress lacked the power to create a stable national currency, leading to each state issuing its own money.  The Constitutional Convention Time/Place: Philadelphia, ____________________________________________ May - September of 1787 Purpose: Address the problems of the weak ____________________________________________ central government that existed under the Articles of Confederation. 70 Attendees: ___________ individuals invited, 55 ________delegates to the Constitutional Convention, _______signed 39 the document. 12 of the 13 states were represented; Rhode Island ________________________________________ did not send delegates to the Convention. Great Compromise Father of The Constitution James Madison ______________________________________ said to harness human nature as it is, not as it should be. (People are self-interested, greedy, and ambitions). internal mechanisms Create _________________________________________ based on human nature. Separation of powers ________________________________________________– legislative, executive, and judicial branches. Checks and Balances _________________________________________________– powers each branch has over another branch. Federalism _________________________________________________ - the division of power between the federal and state governments. Enumerated Powers of Congress Article I Sect. 8 Taxation, Borrowing Money, Regulating Commerce, Naturalization & Bankruptcy Laws, Coining Money, Post Offices, Patents & Copyrights, Federal Courts, Punishing Piracies, Declaring War, Raising & Supporting Armies, Maintaining a Navy, Regulating Armed Forces, Calling the Militia, Organizing the Militia, Exclusive Legislation Over D.C. … “The Congress shall have Power To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper ___________________________________________________________________ for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof." The Supremacy Clause Article VI, Clause 2 of the U.S. Constitution. The Supremacy Clause is found in Article VI, Clause 2 of the U.S. Constitution. "This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, supreme Law of the Land shall be the______________________________________________; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary notwithstanding." Federalist Perspectives: Support _______________________________________________for the Constitution: Believed it provided a strong framework for a stable and effective central government. central Need for a strong __________________________ government: Argued that a strong federal government was necessary to maintain order, unity, and security. Checks and balances ____________________________________________________: Emphasized that the Constitution included mechanisms to prevent any branch of government from becoming too powerful. Economic growth ____________________________________________________: Supported centralized control over commerce, taxation, and national defense to promote prosperity. Anti-Federalist Criticisms of the Constitution Necessary & Proper Clause __________________________________________________________– Gave Congress too much power. Supremacy Clause __________________________________________________________– Weakened state sovereignty. Lack of a Bill of Rights __________________________________________________________– No explicit protections for individual freedoms. Executive Power __________________________________________________________– Feared the President could become too powerful. Judiciary __________________________________________________________– Lifetime appointments made judges unaccountable. Taxation & Standing Army __________________________________________________________– Risk of federal overreach and tyranny. Electoral System __________________________________________________________– Electoral College & Senate selection were undemocratic. How Do We Change The Constitution? Amendments __________________________________ to the constitution are rare because of the complexity of the process and the need to get everyone on board. The Constitution has only been amended 27 _________ times 10 _________ of those were added immediately and are known as the Bill of Rights 1 __________exist to repeal another (18 prohibition of alcohol and 21 its repeal) Appendix: Separation of Powers Legislative Branch (Congress)Makes laws. Powers: Passes legislation, controls budget, declares war, approves treaties and appointments. Executive Branch (President)Enforces laws. Powers: Vetoes bills, appoints officials, commands the military, conducts foreign policy. Judicial Branch (Supreme Court & Federal Courts)Interprets laws. Powers: Reviews laws and executive actions for constitutionality (Judicial Review). Appendix: Checks and Balances in the U.S. Constitution Legislative Checks: On Executive: Override veto, impeach President, approve appointments/treaties, control budget. On Judiciary: Impeach judges, confirm judicial appointments, amend Constitution. Executive Checks: On Legislative: Veto laws, call special sessions. On Judiciary: Appoint judges, grant pardons. Judicial Checks: On Legislative & Executive: Declare laws or actions unconstitutional (Judicial Review). Chief Justice presides over impeachment trials.