U.S. Constitution Overview

Overview

This lecture covers the origins, drafting, structure, ratification, and ongoing evolution of the U.S. Constitution, highlighting key compromises and foundational principles of American government.

Pre-Revolutionary Political Thought

• American political ideas were deeply influenced by British traditions and philosophers like John Locke.
• Locke emphasized natural rights—life, liberty, and property—and the "social contract" as the basis for government legitimacy.
• Documents like Magna Carta (1215) and the English Bill of Rights (1689) inspired American concepts of liberty and government limits.
• The tradition of representative government and self-rule was established early in colonial America.

Causes and Course of the American Revolution

• The British imposed taxes and trade restrictions on the colonies without their consent, violating traditional rights.
• Colonial resistance escalated through events like the Stamp Act, Boston Massacre, and Boston Tea Party.
• The Declaration of Independence (1776), authored by Jefferson, asserted the right to self-government and listed British abuses.

Articles of Confederation: Structure and Weaknesses

• The Articles of Confederation created a weak central government with limited powers (no taxation, army, or regulation of commerce).
• Each state had one vote; changes required unanimous approval.
• Economic turmoil, inability to respond to crises (e.g., Shays' Rebellion), and lack of national cohesion led to calls for reform.

Drafting the U.S. Constitution: Compromises and Structure

• The Constitutional Convention (1787) replaced the Articles with a new government guided by compromise.
• The Great Compromise established a bicameral Congress: equal representation in the Senate, population-based in the House.
• The Three-Fifths Compromise counted enslaved people as three-fifths for representation and taxation.
• Debates included federal vs. state power, slavery, and balancing liberty with order.

Structure and Principles of the Constitution

• Established three branches: Legislative (Congress), Executive (President), Judiciary (Supreme Court).
• Included separation of powers and checks and balances among branches.
• Enumerated (explicit) powers given to the federal government; reserved powers left to the states.
• Supremacy Clause made federal laws supreme over state laws.

Ratification and Bill of Rights

• Ratification required approval by nine of thirteen states via conventions.
• Federalists (supporters) argued for a strong central government; Anti-Federalists feared loss of individual and state rights.
• The promise of a Bill of Rights helped secure ratification; first 10 amendments were adopted in 1791.

Constitutional Change and Key Amendments

• The Constitution can be amended through Congressional proposal (2/3 majority) and state ratification (3/4 of states).
• The Bill of Rights guarantees freedoms: speech, religion, due process, etc.
• Key later amendments: 13th (abolished slavery), 14th (citizenship, equal protection), 15th (voting rights regardless of race), 19th (women’s suffrage).

Key Terms & Definitions

• Social Contract — Agreement where people consent to government in exchange for protection of rights.
• Articles of Confederation — First U.S. government plan; weak central authority.
• Great Compromise — Split Congress into Senate (equal) and House (by population).
• Three-Fifths Compromise — Counted enslaved people as 3/5 for representation.
• Separation of Powers — Division of government into branches with distinct powers.
• Checks and Balances — System where each branch can restrain others.
• Federalism — Division of power between national and state governments.
• Supremacy Clause — Federal law takes precedence over state laws.
• Bill of Rights — First 10 amendments protecting individual liberties.

Action Items / Next Steps

• Review the ACLU website to explore current First Amendment issues.
• Consider which constitutional protections are most relevant or concerning today.
• Prepare for further study on how constitutional principles apply to modern American government.