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Constitutional compromises
The great compromise: gave each state the same number of representatives in the senate
regardless of size.
Threefifths compromise: stipulated that each slave was to be counted as threefifths of
a person for purposes of determining population as a basis for representation
Key Biggies about the constitution
- Seperation of powers
o art 1, legislative branch
o art 2, executivev branch
o art 3, Judicial Branch, judicial review?
- Check and balances’
- Power bases diffused – powers are from different forces
- Economics: taxes, interstrate commerce
- Federalism
o Relationship betweennational and state governments
o Supremacy clause, art 6
o 110th amendment
- Individual rights and liberties: not originally mentioned
Ratification of the US Constitution
Describe in art 7 of the constitution:
- require nince of the 13
- ratification by conventions rather than state legis
- Federalists – favored a strong national gov
- Antifederalists – favored strong state gov and a weak national gov.
Antifederalist objections
Viginia’s George mason was a delegate to the constitution convention in 1787 but refused
to sign the document
His objections
- no bill of rights
- Powers given to the senate, president and federal courts
- Necessary to proper clause was too expansive
Bill of rights
- 1st ten amendments to constitution
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- not part of original document
- james Madison proposed a bill o rights in 1789
- limed powers of the national gov only and did not protext individuals from
the states or from private corporations
Amending the constitution art 5
- two thirds vote of congress and ratification by the legis of three fourths of
the states
- twothirds vote of congress and ratification by state conventions in 3/4 of
the states
- National consti convention called by 2/3 of the state legis.
The seven texas constitutions
- 1827 : coahuila y tejas
- 1836 : Republic of Texas
- 1845 : Texas enters the Union
- 1861 : Confederacy
- 1866 : Constitution of 1866
- 1869 : reconstruction constitution
- 1876 : current
constitution of 1876
Written at constitutional convention convened in Austin on September 6, 1875
- reaction to corruption
- strong influence of agricultural interests
- attempt to restore government to the people
- attempt to reestablish economic stability
- antigovernement
- local control
- limits on taxation
- increased limits on legislature, courts, and governor
- agriculture protected from intrusion and taxation
General principles of the Texas Constitution
- popular sovereignty
- limited government
- seperation of powers
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o 3 branches of gov
o checks and balances
o elected judiciary
Amending the Texas Constitution
- Proposed constitutional amendment can only be submitted by the
legislature. (if we want to amend, we cannot do it ourselves, we have to go
through the legislature)
- Texas citizens cannot place amendment on the ballot
- Requires a 2/3 vote in both houses of the legislature.
- Adoption requires passage by a majority of voters
- 432 amendments by 2003
Texas Constitution: Prospects for future change
- texas has history of suspicion of governement
o most laypersons fear gov abuses and excesses more than they
worry about the governmentls inability to respond quickly and
efficiently
- groups and interests senefit from existing constitution
o have demonstrated collective resolve to minimize change