Debating the U.S. Constitution

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Debating the U.S. Constitution
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• Philadelphia Convention
• VIRGINIA PLAN (large state plan)
• Bicameral legislature representation by
  population- Lower house would be elected by
  people- Upper House selected by Lower house
  from candidate list provided by state
  legislature
• President/Judiciary selected by legislature!-
  Congress with extensive NEW powers
• a semi-PARLIAMENTARY system

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• Philadelphia Convention
• NEW JERSEY PLAN ( small state)
• Unicameral legislature equal state
  representation- States sovereign / voluntary
  participation!
• Represented only incremental changesfrom
  Articles of Confederation
• Presidential committee appointed by Congress-
  Congress gets only new tax/trade powers
• a bit more power than Articles (like the U.N.)

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• Philadelphia Convention
• The GREAT COMPROMISE
• Bicameral legislature- House represented based
  on POPULATION Senate representation EQUAL for
  each state
• Congress many and specific powers
• President fewer and vague powers!
• Due to the way the courts, the public, and
  the Congress interpret presidential power, the
  President is the key player today in both
  international relations domestic policy

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Impact on Electoral System Which side got
best of large state vs. small state debate in
terms of REPRESENTATION in Congress?
Example How many Senators for each
U.S. state?
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Philadelphia Convention
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1
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These states have disproportionate impact on
politics/policy!
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Impact on Electoral System Which side got best
of large vs. small state debate?
(1) Our view today small states won!
Influenced by idea of 1 person, 1
vote small D democracy (2)
Historical view (and at the time) A
necessary compromise w/ Articles govt. a
REPUBLIC
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RATIFICATION debate Madisons Federalist 10
November 1787news editorials argue for
representative republic
(1) What is a faction? IF factions
existtoday, give some examples! (2) What are
the 2 possible cures forthe problem of
factions?
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RATIFICATION debate Madisons Federalist
10 November 1787news editorials argue for
representative republic
(3) Will enlightened statesmen always be at
the helm? What is Madisons view of human
nature? (4) What are the 3 key advantages of a
representative republic ( a small of reps
over geog. large nation)?
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Republic vs. DIRECTDEMOCRACY pros/cons of more
direct influence by the people? . . .
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• Why 9 States Ratified the Constitution
• the Anti-Federalists worried a too-powerful
  federal govt. would trample individual rights!
• The BILL of RIGHTS was added to win them over
• The Anti-Federalists were RIGHT national
  government did assume unspoken powers today
  broad interpretation of Constitution and the
  powers of the national government