Oct 16, 2006

OUTLINE

The American Constitution

Day 1

I. Problems with the Articles of Confederation
  A. Consequences
  
II. States vs National power: States protective of own authority
  A. Precedents:
    1. United Colonies
    2. Albany Plan of Union
    
III. Danger of Continuous Rebellion
  A. Shays's Rebellion
  B. Competing views of rebellion
  
IV. Creating the Constitution
  A. Structure vs Virtue

LECTURE NOTES

MEDIA CLIP: The Miracle in Philadelphia
-the first federal government (articles of confederation) congress was too weak and was going to fall
-james madison, ben franklin
-states have more power, or federal government have more power
-roger sherman came up with a compromise 2 houses of congress
(house of representatives [representation by population], and us senate [representation 2 per state])
-they wrote a constitution for the USA
-purpose- secure blessings of liberty for the 'people'

Government laid out in 'articles of confederation' is a weak government
-it could not even tax its people
-no supreme court/judge system
Inefficient structure
-unanimity (everyone has to agree, not a 51% majority) required for amendments
State to State competition
-states competed with each other for trade and foreign policy

Results of national weakness
-newburgh conspiracy 1783
-shay's rebellion, 1786-87
--put down by a private rebellion

States vs National Goverment

MEDIA CLIP: Dispute in Little Rock, Arkansas
-not letting blacks into a school (state) vs allowing anyone in the school(federal)
-state govt calls in troops to enforce a policy which was against the federal government policy
-riotting.

The Whiskey Rebellion: 1794

MEDIA CLIP: whiskey rebellion, how did president george washington respond to it?
-this is different, you have representation
-they felt they were being unjustly oppressed with taxes

George washington says, you need to obey the laws

"You and I my dear friend..." [see slides for quote]
John Adams (2nd pres of USA)

Structure vs Virtue
-David Hume: Assume everyone acts for self-interest

"If men were angels, no government would be necessary"
James Madison

Classical Repubicanism:
-Virtuous leaders check corruption among the powerful

Lockean Liberalism:
-Individuals guard liberty, rights
-Potential negatives: Irresponsible individualism


MEDIA CLIP: Gilmore Girls
-"I found a dance partner" (24 hour dance marathon) get a nice trophy vs charity/virtue