AP GOV—September 14, 2015
 Please turn in your Federalist Paper Q’s up front
 Current Events
 Hunt through the Constitution
 Politics of ratification & Principles of the
Constitution
 Homework:
 Edwards pgs. 57-67 (by Wednesday)
The politics of
ratification
Federalists
a. Supporters: property owners, professionals,
merchants
b. Views:
Elites most fit to govern
2. Feared “excesses” of democracy
3. Favored strong central government
1.
c. Leaders: Hamilton, Madison, Washington, Jay
Antifederalists
a. Supporters: small farmers, laborers, shopkeepers
b. Views:
1. Feared concentration of power in the hands of elites
2. Believed that gov’t should be closer to the people
3. Feared strong central gov’t
4. Favored stronger state gov’ts
5. Feared the lack of Bill of Rights (strongest argument)
c. Leaders: Henry, Mason, Gerry
Federalist Advantages
a. Were better represented in state legislatures
b. Controlled the press
c. Began ratification procedures quickly
a. Before Anti-feds could get organized
d. Agreed to a Bill of Rights after ratification
Federalist Papers
 Madison, Hamilton, and Jay (Publius)
 Purpose: rally support for Constitution
 Federalist 10: factions
 Federalist 51: checks and balances
Ratification
 1788, took 6 months
 State ratifying conventions instead of state
legislatures
 Identifying Federalist and Anti-Federalist
statements
AP Gov—9/15/2015
 Warm up: Federalist/Anti-Federalist statements
 Grab from the back and get started identifying each
 Principles of the Constitution
 Democracy in America video (if time)
 Homework:
 Edwards pgs. 57-67 (by Wednesday)
 More info on Debate assignment to come tomorrow!
Principles of the
Constitution
Separation of Powers
Checks & Balances
Limited Gov’t
Judicial Review
Separation of Powers
A. To Madison, tyranny was gov’t that controlled all
3 branches of gov’t

Must divide among legislative, executive, and judicial
branches
B. System diffuses power instead of concentrating
power
C. Influence of Montesquieu
D. Danger of branches combining forces

Lead to checks and balances
Checks & Balances
A. Background
1. 18th century view of gov’t as something to be restrained,
and modern view as something to be used for common
good
2. Fear of tyranny among Founders
1.
2.
Distrust of gov’t
Means of INTENTIONALLY building inefficiency to prevent abuse
of power
Checks & Balances
B. System of restraints in which each branch can
check the other two
C. Examples





Veto
Override veto
Appointment and confirmation
Treaty-making and ratification
Commander in chief
D. Political independence & staggered terms within
each branch
Modifications of Checks &
Balances
1. Political parties
a. In theory, should weaken C&B
•
Const. divided gov’t, parties bring people in gov’t together
b. In reality, political parties are weak
•
Varied interest, disagreements within parties
c.
Prevalence of divided gov’t
Thus…little change
Modifications of Checks &
Balances
2. Changes in voting methods/electorate
a. Senators now chosen by people
b. Congressmen also
c. Presidents chosen by electors who vote as the people
have voted
Thus…members of 2 branches chosen by same electorate
(weaken), but split ticket voting has changed this
Modifications of Checks &
Balances
3. Growth of federal bureaucracy
a. Development of numerous agencies
b. Congress grants authority to agencies and lets them
carry out the will of Congress
•
Example: IRS
Thus…growth of bureau. has weakened C&B
Modifications of Checks &
Balances
4. Changes in technology (Nuclear weapons,
computers, satellite communication, etc.)
a. President, Congress, interest groups have all been able
to take advantage of new tech. so it strengthens C&B
b. President has ESPECIALLY been able to take
advantage so it weakens C&B
Modifications of Checks &
Balances
5. Emergence of the US as a superpower
a. Areas of “national interest” extend around the world
b. US is leader of the free world
c. Any crisis seems to involve US
Thus…these issues need to be dealt with in a strong and
efficient manner which concentrates power in the executive
and weakens C&B
Limited Government
A. Dilemma of effectiveness versus limited power
B. Constitutional gov’t: gov’t only has those powers
listed in the constitution
C. Bill of Rights as a safeguard against tyranny

10th Amendment gives states all powers not granted to
federal gov’t
D. Free elections, but potential of majority faction
Judicial Review
A. Power of courts to strike down laws or gov’t
actions
B. Not explicitly provided for in Const. but
interpretation most logically falls to the courts
C. Established by Marbury v. Madison, 1803
Marbury v. Madison
 Marshall ruled that the Court did not have the
authority to issue the writ, but then paradoxically
increased power by establishing judicial review
 Effects:
 Citizens can challenge constitutionality of laws
 Litigation as a way to make public policy
Exit questions
 Which branch should have the most power?
 Do you think the system of checks and balances
hurts our political system? Why or why not?
 What additional checks would you add if any?
Which would you remove? Why?