American Government: Course Review

Articles of Confederation

Development of Political Parties

The Philadelphia Convention

• Known as the Constitutional Convention

• Met in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, during the summer of 1787

• 55 delegates from 12 states wrote the US Constitution

• The delegates abandoned the Articles of Confederation and created a stronger form of government.

• This new government included two legislative houses, the House of Representatives and the Senate; a powerful executive, the president; and a judicial body, the Supreme Court. Compromise was essential to the delegates’ deliberations.

The Philadelphia Convention

• Large and small states compromised over the form of representation.

• Southern and northern states compromised over the issue of slavery.

• By June 21, 1788, the Constitution had been ratified by nine states and went into effect.

• With the addition of 26 amendments since that time, it has remained the supreme law of the United States of America.

Federalists: Strong Central Government

• Authority derives from the people.

• In a new plan of government, the central government should be stronger than the states.

Anti-Federalists:

Strong States

• Authority derives from the states.

• Under a modified Articles of Confederation, the states should remain stronger than the central government

The Great Compromise

Large States • Virginia Plan• Congress should be

composed of two houses• The number of delegates

to both houses of Congress should be assigned according to population

Small States• New Jersey Plan• A Congress of one house

should be preserved• Each state should have

one vote

Result: The Connecticut (Great) Compromise: • Congress composed of two houses:• Upper house (Senate) based on equal representation (all states have 2

Senators) (benefits small states)• Lower house (House of Representatives) based on population (benefits

small states)

3/5ths Compromise

North• Slaves should not be

counted when deciding the number of congressional delegates

• Slaves should be counted when levying taxes

South• Slaves should be counted

when determining congressional representation

• Slaves should not be counted when levying taxes

Result: The 3/5ths Compromise: • Slaves count as 3/5ths of a person for

representation in the House and for taxation

Federalism

Federalism

Federalism

Separation of Powers/Checks & Balances

Powers delegated to

Congressin Article I of

the Constitution

Lawmaking process

Lawmaking process

Lawmaking process

Lawmaking process

Different roles of Senate & House

Different roles of Senate & House

Different roles of Senate & House

Election process & types of representation

Influence of staff, lobbyists, special interest groups & Political Action Committees

Congressional leadership

Congressional leadership

The Speaker of the House• Presiding officer of the House & leader of the majority

party.• Presides over and keeps order in the House.• Names the members of all select and conference

committees• Signs all bills and resolutions passed by the House.

The President of the Senate• The Vice President of the US• Casts the tie-breaking vote• Presides at State of the Unions

The president pro tempore• Leader of the majority party• Elected from the Senate and serves in the Vice

President’s absence (most of the time!)

Congressional leadership

The Floor Leaders• Party officers picked for their posts by their party

colleagues.

Party Whips• Assist the floor leaders and serve as a liaison

between the party’s leadership and its rank-and-file members.

Committee Chairmen• Members who head the standing committees in

each chamber of Congress.• The chairman of each of these permanent

committees is chosen from the majority party by the majority party caucus.

Citizens of the U.S. can participate in their government. This process insures that power will always remain where it

belongs - with the people.Vote• The most important right citizens have is the right to vote. By

voting, the people have a voice in the government. The people decide who will represent them in the government. Before voting in an election, each citizen should be well informed about the issues and candidates.

Jury Service• The government may call upon citizens to serve on a jury. The

members of the jury need to decide the case in as fair a way as they can.

Responsibilities of a Citizen

Citizens of the U.S. can participate in their government. This process insures that power will always remain where it

belongs - with the people.Obey the Laws• Every person is expected to obey the laws of the community,

state and country in which he or she lives. All Americans are expected to respect the rights of others. All persons living in the U.S. are expected to pay the income taxes and other taxes honestly and on time.

Others:• Pay Taxes• Register for the Draft

Responsibilities of a Citizen