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Summary THE US CONSTITUTION
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Summary of 4 pages for the course Civilisation at UL (The constitution)
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THE CONSTITUTION PART 1: BACKGROUND AND COMPROMISESThey are 3 branches of the constitution: legislative, executive and judiciary. They deal with legislation.
1787: constitution
1788: be applied (ratified)
US constitution made of 7 articles divided into section, clauses, followed by number of amendment (27) the last
one in 1992.
The general principle of US const. is that it establishes a federal system (separation of power) system of balance,
each of 3 branches as kind of control over the others. Aim to protect the citizens.
US are union of 50 states with their own governments. Life can change from a state to another. They all have to
respect the government. Each state cannot go against the federal constitution.
Everybody know the constitution, are familiar with it. Why? Rather short document, like a sacred document;
accessible document (easy to read)
result is that US has the tendency to turn political questions into constitutional questions.
I .Before the Constitution
A. Government in colonial era
Differences from 1 colony to another, diff. types. Each colony had a governor who was usually appointed by crown,
owner of the colony . . .
Judiciary: governor executes the law. Also commander in chief of militia. President of the court of the peal.
Summoned and prorogue the assembly. He had veto power on some colonies.
Legislative branch in colonies made of 2 chambers: higher (council) and lower chamber. Higher chamber has to
advice to governor, not elected by people but appointed by crown. Lower chamber was elected. Voted the money
needed to run the govnt.
To prorogue = to discontinue a session of without dissolving it.
B. The articles of confederation
US declare its independence in 1776. They form a congress and pointed a commission to establish a governement.
1st constitution in 1777 and ratified in 1781. Article was more an agreement between states than proper govnmt.
Contxt: not ready to form govnmt with strong power, just protect themselves 1st.
the confederation congress: simple system: 1 state 1 vote. 2 third majority is required to vote + anonymous
approval for a change of article. Diff. to reach important decision. No executive power, no federal judiciary, just
legislative branch which had very few powers over the states.
No revenue rose at the time, so problems begin. Individual states. After war of independence, economical problm.
Trade suffered: lead to a rebellion from farmers started in Massachusetts (Shay’s rebellion, 1786-1787) defeated by
the army. Strong central gvnt is needed to maintain order and peace. Each state did what they wanted before;
concern for they own state.
The lessons that Americans had learned from there experienced of colonies are that liberty is threatened by
executive power. Legislative was there, as protection. Weak governor, strong legislation.
II. The constitutional conventions and its compromises
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