The U.

S Constitution

Treats to the new republic

Threats to the liberties won in the Revolution
1. Economic problems
a. Some states passed laws on the collection of debts.
2. State legislatures = too democratic
3. Disorder, Rebellion
Worried Nationalists
Federalist, 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 allowed
Strengthened 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 government

a. Removed power from states

i. Forbidden to pass laws that would violate the obligation of
contracts
b. 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 nation
It 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 legislature
a. Senate
i. Two senators
1. Elected by the state legislature
a. Most likely to choose someone that had political
experience to serve as senator
b. House of lords
b. House of Representatives
i. Dependent on the population
1. Elected by free, property holding men.
2. Popular
4. Written Constitution
a. Written document
b. Defined office of legislature
c. Created federal judiciary
5. Federal Judiciary
a. Constitutional federal liberties
i. Unalienable rights

Ratification Debate
Pro
Federalists
Cons
Anti-Federalists

Federalists
Madison
Anti-Federalist
John Hancock
Both had distinctly different ideas about the constitution: Heirs of the revolution
Many people still carried fear of centralized power.
1776 and 1777

An
Fed
Little too idealistic about the constitant ability of the rep to put self interest
behind common interest.
The US situation has changed since 1776
The 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.