Mrs. Ruland's Advanced Placement United States History Class

U.S. CONSTITUTION

Based on information in The American Political Tradition - Hofstadter

U.S. constitution is based on the following:

1. Religion of Calvin
The carnal mind is at enmity with God
Idea of original sin - an unregenerate rebel, needs control

2. Philosophy of Hobbes
The natural state of mankind is a state of war
Men are selfish and contentious - self interest paramount
Distrust of common man and democratic rule: shay's rebellion

(Believed a good political system could control him)

3. Constitutional convention delegates
Men of wealth
liberty most concerned with was property
at least 14 were land speculators
freedom to hold and dispose of property was #1
William Few of Georgia, "yeoman farmer" - maj. Of population

4. 17^th century English heritage
Opposition to arbitrary rule
Faith in popular sovereignty
Political power must reside in the people - no other choice?

5. Balance of power necessity
One interest and vice must oppose another interest and vice Federalist Papers #51
One interest will plunder everyone else! Either rich or poor
Age of Newton: natural & mechanical "laws" - balanced govt
Rational order in the universe!
Government would exist in a state of mutual frustration between branches of government

6. Methods
Federal could control a revolution in an individual state
Representative govt would refine public views - chosen body
Aristocracy and democracy must neutralize each other
Each given a house in the legislature
Strong impartial executive with veto power
An independent judiciary

7. Constitution is antithesis of idea - democracy = liberty
Founders interested in liberty related to property
Not interested in liberty for slaves or even civil liberties
Opponents to constitution demanded "bill of rights"
Not freedom of trade but necessary regulation (mercantilist)
Not free access to land but rights of absentee owner or speculator

8. Freedoms - mostly negative
From fiscal uncertainty and irregularities in currency
From trade wars among the states
From economic discrimination by more powerful foreign govts
From attacks on creditor class or on property
From popular insurrection

Government would act as honest broker among variety of propertied interests
fraternity of types of absentee ownership

Fear of "the superior force of an interested and overbearing majority" was dominant emotion

9. Democracy considered an experiment/not necessarily stable
Historically never lasts long - tyranny or aristocracy
Governmental order is based on property - propertied class has a stake in government
Consent of the people meant the property holders

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Last updated June 14, 2004

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