Kieran O'Meara

Global
Ratification of the Constitution
Sept. 17th, 1787 the delegates approve Constitution
39 delegates signed it
3 did not include George Mason of Virginia refused to sign
9 of the 13 states had to approve it
Approval would be done through special conventions in each state, not
through state legislatures
The Great Debate and Ratification
o Federalists favored ratification
o Anti-federalist- oppose ratification
o By June, 1788 nine states had given approval- did not include NY
and VA

In Virginia, James Madison led the fight for ratification against George Mason
and Patrick Henry
Virginia approved it by ten votes with amendments suggested
New York was the battleground
The Federalist
o A series of proratification essays by Alexander Hamilton, John Jay,
and James Madison
o Turned the tide against Anti-Federalists-being led by Governor
George Clinton
o Ratification by three cotes
o The Federalist is one of the finest statements on
Basic Principles of the Constitution
Popular sovereignty
o The sources of all power or authority to govern is the people
o Democracy
Limited Government
o Governmental powers are defined by the Constitution
o Government id limited by law
o Constitutional places limits on stated ad national governments and
government officials
Separation of Powers
o The power to govern is divided among the legislative, executive and
judiciary branches to ensure that no single branch can dominate the
government
Checks and Balances
o Each branch of the national government has ways to check, or
control, the other branches
o Prevents too much power from falling into hands of any one part of
the government
Flexibility
o The Elastic Clause
Article I, Section 8, Clause 18

Congress can make all laws necessary and proper for

carrying out the tasks listed in the Constitution
o The Amendment Process
Article V
Constitution may be formally amended
Both congress and the states must agree to such changes
Judicial Interpretation
o The Supreme Court and the lower federal courts review cases which
involve possible conflicts with the Constitution and federal law
o Involves interpreting local, state and federal laws as well as executive
actions

Federalism in the Constitution

The constitution divides the power between the national and state
governments
Disputes between the national and state governments are settled in the
courts
Supremacy Clause (Article VI) makes the Constitution federal laws and
treaties superior to states laws
Delegated Powers
o Certain powers of the national government are spelled out in the
Constitution
o Most are listed in Article 1, Section 8
o Ex. The national government can declare war
Implied Powers
o Certain powers of the national government are not stated in the
Constitution
o Implied by the elastic clause
Denied Powers
o Certain powers denied to the national government
o Other powers are denied to the states
o Others powers denied both
Concurrent Powers
o Powers belonging to both national and state