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| | If you understand the Constitution, then you know about 50% of American Government. You would know that the roots of the Constitution were based in part on the ideas of European philosophers, such as the Englishman John Locke’s concepts of natural rights (life, liberty and pursuit of happiness) and the social compact theory of government, which inspired the Declaration of Independence, and the French philosopher Montesquieu, who inspired the separation of powers. You would know that the Constitution was drafted at the Constitutional Convention in the summer of 1787 in Philadephia, because the Articles of Confederation that governed the colonies since 1781 was did not create a strong enough federal government. | | If you understand the Constitution, then you know about 50% of American Government. You would know that the roots of the Constitution were based in part on the ideas of European philosophers, such as the Englishman John Locke’s concepts of natural rights (life, liberty and pursuit of happiness) and the social compact theory of government, which inspired the Declaration of Independence, and the French philosopher Montesquieu, who inspired the separation of powers. You would know that the Constitution was drafted at the Constitutional Convention in the summer of 1787 in Philadephia, because the Articles of Confederation that governed the colonies since 1781 was did not create a strong enough federal government. |
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| − | You would know that the Articles of Confederation were a failure. It lacked an Executive (e.g., President) and a Judiciary (e.g., Supreme Court). It could not impose taxes, regulate commerce or raise an army. Each state had one vote, and a unanimous vote of the states was required to amend it. 9 votes out of 13 was needed to do anything significant. Simply put, the federal government had almost no power to do anything. | + | You would know that the Articles of Confederation were a failure. It lacked an Executive (e.g., a president) and a Judiciary (e.g., the Supreme Court). It could not impose taxes, regulate commerce or raise an army. Each state had one vote, and a unanimous vote of the states was required to amend it. 9 votes out of 13 was needed to do anything significant. Simply put, the federal government had almost no power to do anything. |
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| | The Constitution did create a strong federal government, and one that has grown in power continuously ever since. The Constitution established a bicameral legislature through the Great Compromise (House and Senate). It allowed continuation of slavery through the Three-Fifths Compromise, whereby slaves counted as 3/5th of a person for deciding how many representatives each state could send to the House. Slave trade was allowed for 20 more years. | | The Constitution did create a strong federal government, and one that has grown in power continuously ever since. The Constitution established a bicameral legislature through the Great Compromise (House and Senate). It allowed continuation of slavery through the Three-Fifths Compromise, whereby slaves counted as 3/5th of a person for deciding how many representatives each state could send to the House. Slave trade was allowed for 20 more years. |
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| | *30% Three branches of the federal government and what they do | | *30% Three branches of the federal government and what they do |
| | *10% The media, public opinion, and polling | | *10% The media, public opinion, and polling |
| − | *10% Interest groups, lobbying, and political parties | + | *10% Interest groups, lobbying, political parties, and elections |
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| | == References == | | == References == |