Chapter 2
Constitutional Democracy
Declaration of Independence
 John Locke’s idea of inalienable, or natural, rights
influence founding fathers
 Declaration a call to revolution and not a framework
for anew government
 Ideas contained in document were incorporated into
constitution
Articles of Confederation
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First government in U.S. based on these
Adopted during Revolutionary War
Why it failed:
Too weak a central government
No national court system
Issue of taxation
Shay’s rebellion
Federalists v. Anti-Federalists
 Federalists: supported ratification of the proposed
Constitution of the United States between 1787 and
1789.
 The Federalist Papers (See Homework assignment 1)
are documents associated with their movement.
 Anti-federalists: opponents of the constitution;
concerned too strong a central government
Blueprint for Political System
 James Madison helped craft Constitution
 Often referred to as “Grandfather of Constitution:
 Concerned with minority or majority tyranny or
factions taking control (did not want another king)
 Believed pure democracy is impossible and suggested
a federal government
Constitutional Options
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Virginia Plan (aka large-state and/or Randolph plan)
One option introduced at Constitutional Convention
Drafted by James Madison
Called for a two-chamber Congress
Provided representation in both chambers based on
size of states
Constitutional Options
 New Jersey Plan (Small-state plan)
 Called for stronger national government with power
to tax and regulate
 In most other respects, same as Articles of
Confederation
 Congress would be single chamber
 Each state would have a single vote
Great Compromise
 Ended debate over whether to choose the Virginia
Plan or New Jersey Plan
 Created a two-chamber (bicameral) Congress.
 House apportioned by population
 Senate would be apportioned by equal number of 2
votes per state.
Slavery
 North-South Compromise
 Counting slaves as 3/5 person for apportionment
purposes
 Highly controversial
 Troubled many of the founding fathers
 Issue of dependency of slavery
Constitution
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Offered new framework for government
Constitution: fundamental law of the land.
Language purposefully vague
Has lasted over 200 years and serves as basis for most
of world’s current constitutions
Separation of Powers
 Prevents powers from becoming too concentrated
 Article I established the Congress and gives legislative
responsibilities
 Article II establishes presidency
 Article III establishes judiciary
Checks and Balances
 Guard against concentration of power
 Example: To pass a law, both House and Senate must
pass. President can sign or veto. Supreme court can
rule on constitionality.