The U.S Constitution

Treats to the new republicThreats to the liberties won in the Revolution1. Economic problemsa. Some states passed laws on the collection of debts.2. State legislatures = too democratic3. Disorder, RebellionWorried NationalistsFederalist, first in 1786 then 1787. Asked representatives to come to Philadelphia, asked how to deal with the AoC, so that certain unalienable rights could not be ignored by minorities. James Madison took lead, father of the constitution. Question of where to go, what cannot be allowedStrengthened national government so it can deal with the national debt, deal with the rebellions.Believed that a part of the solution was to strengthen the national government and put limitations of the state government.The government had to be grounded on popular consent: can you trust the people, though?Democracy in the 18th centry didnt mean everyone gets to vote, it meant :Anarchy, mob rule, was majorities under the leadership of a mad man, debter that rise up on people that have land because they want land. This meeting is kinda illegal, they have no governmental authority to do this.-Ratification process, at least 9 say YES!More than 9 did, so there was a new constitution,Paradox of Republicanism

How the Constitution of 1787 sought to address These concerns:1. Strong Central governmenta. Removed power from statesi. Forbidden to pass laws that would violate the obligation of contractsb. Eg., Art.1 Sec.10: Contract clause i. No states can say you dont have to pay your debt to so and so.c. Reserved all powers not all ready given to the national to the state.Essential to the survival of this nationIt was a conservative document, because it could restrain the state legislatures. General welfare clause. Intended to be vauge.2. Representative government (w/restraints)3. Bicameral legislaturea. Senatei. Two senators 1. Elected by the state legislature a. Most likely to choose someone that had political experience to serve as senatorb. House of lords

b. House of Representativesi. Dependent on the population1. Elected by free, property holding men.2. Popular4. Written Constitutiona. Written documentb. Defined office of legislaturec. Created federal judiciary5. Federal Judiciarya. Constitutional federal libertiesi. Unalienable rights

Ratification DebateProFederalistsConsAnti-Federalists

FederalistsMadison

Anti-FederalistJohn HancockBoth had distinctly different ideas about the constitution: Heirs of the revolutionMany people still carried fear of centralized power.1776 and 1777

AnFedLittle too idealistic about the constitant ability of the rep to put self interest behind common interest. The US situation has changed since 1776The US was going to become a rep empire, and it need a constit. and separation of powers.

The anti fed strengthened the constitution by rebuttal

The anti were left defending the status quo.

The federalists won, because there was a change, and they won because of great political skilled people (rev major leaders). These men, everyone knew them, were speaking for the constitution. And the constitution was ratified. It was embraced by both. There have been many amendments but it has survived.