1. first meeting was held in Pennsylvania State House
2. Officially began on May 25, 1787

1. because of security concerns, the notes were not removed from the meeting room; delegates feared the press would interfere and influence the outcome.

if public debate began over the issues, the delegates would have a harder time compromising on

issues and possibly backing down.

2. the express purpose of the meeting was to change the Articles of Confederation, not create a new government
3. each state was given 1 vote
4. James Madison wanted a new government plan with separation of powers and checks and balances (our system is referred to as the Madisonian Model)
5. George Washington was elected president of the Convention because he added integrity and respectability

1. a majority of the delegates were nationalists (favored a strong national government)
2. some nationalists distrusted the ability of the common people to participate in self-government
3. Alexander Hamilton was a monarchist –

1. He was quoted as saying, "I have no scruple in declaring…that the British government is the

best in the world and that I doubt much whether anything short of it will do in America."

4. Other nationalists wanted a strong central government based on democratic support

1. The Constitution is the supreme law of the land

1. it provides the framework for American government

2. The Constitution begins with the Preamble (introduction)
3. The Preamble states the goals of the Constitution
4. There are 6 goals listed in the Preamble (use p.64 in your text to fill in the goals):

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

5. The Constitution was based on the following principles:

1. popular sovereignty (control by the people)

2. A republican form of government in which the people choose their reps.

3. limited government with written constraints on the power of govt.

4. separation of powers – divides power among 3 branches to limit the influence of each.

a. in our model, the branches share key parts of the others’ powers.

b. each branch can then limit the power of the others. This is called checks and balances

1. Example: making a law

a. Congress passes the law

b. The President can veto the law

c. Congress can then override the veto with a 2/3 vote

d. Supreme Court can rule laws and executive actions unconstitutional

5. Federalism – power is shared between the national government and the state governments.

a. some powers are exclusive (only belong to 1 level of government)

1. Delegated/Enumerated = granted specifically to the national government (coin money)

2. Reserved = granted specifically to the states; any power not given to national govt.

(education)

3. Concurrent Powers = shared between both national and state (power to tax)

4. Implied Powers – not directly mentioned in the Constitution

0. the "Necessary & Proper Clause" states that Congress can make any laws it deems

1. Following the Preamble, the Constitution is divided into 7 Articles (parts). Each part deals with a specific topic:
1. Article I: Legislative Branch
2. Article II: Executive Branch
3. Article III: Judicial Branch
4. Article IV: Relations Among the States
5. Article V: Amending the Constitution
6. Article VI: National Supremacy
7. Article VII: Ratification (approval)

1. Structure of the National Government

1. bicameral legislature (2 houses)

3. Great Compromise

b. bicameral legislature

B. The Slavery Issue