Difference between revisions of "American Government and the Constitution Lecture Two"
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Only 25 words long, this Section 1 is perhaps the single most important provision in the entire Constitution. It is the result of the "Great Compromise" between the big and small States at the Constitutional Convention. The big states have more power in the House of Representatives, because there are more people in the big States and the number of representatives in the House is based on population. The small states have equal power in the Senate, because every State has exactly two representatives there, no matter how big or small the State is. | Only 25 words long, this Section 1 is perhaps the single most important provision in the entire Constitution. It is the result of the "Great Compromise" between the big and small States at the Constitutional Convention. The big states have more power in the House of Representatives, because there are more people in the big States and the number of representatives in the House is based on population. The small states have equal power in the Senate, because every State has exactly two representatives there, no matter how big or small the State is. | ||
== Habeas Corpus == | == Habeas Corpus == | ||
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| + | == Not a Democracy == | ||
== Magna Carta == | == Magna Carta == | ||
Nearly 900 years ago, in the summer of 1915, the English King John agreed to the Magna Carta. | Nearly 900 years ago, in the summer of 1915, the English King John agreed to the Magna Carta. | ||
Revision as of 00:38, August 31, 2014
American Government and the Constitution Lectures: 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12-13-14
A fun way to learn more about the Constitution is to try to answer this question: which are its greatest provisions, and what inspired those provisions?
In our last Lecture we discussed the Preamble (We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union ...."), and courts have construed it not to have any legally binding effect. The Preamble is merely "window-dressing", and does not establish any rights of the people, or any powers of government. It is a very eloquent introduction to the document.
After the 52 words of the Preamble, what is the most important provision? The winner might be the very next sentence, Article I, Section 1, which states:
| “ | All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives. | ” |
Only 25 words long, this Section 1 is perhaps the single most important provision in the entire Constitution. It is the result of the "Great Compromise" between the big and small States at the Constitutional Convention. The big states have more power in the House of Representatives, because there are more people in the big States and the number of representatives in the House is based on population. The small states have equal power in the Senate, because every State has exactly two representatives there, no matter how big or small the State is.
Habeas Corpus
Not a Democracy
Magna Carta
Nearly 900 years ago, in the summer of 1915, the English King John agreed to the Magna Carta.