The US Constitution: From Articles to Amendments

Posted on Mar 29, 2025 in Police Sciences and Public Security

Types of Government

  • Monarchy: A single monarch holds the power (e.g., Saudi Arabia).
  • Oligarchy: A small group of people rules the country (e.g., North Korea).
  • Democracy: Rule by the people through voting. The U.S. is a representative democracy.

Key Events Leading to the Constitution

  • Sugar Act, Stamp Act, Quartering Act, Boston Massacre, Tea Act, Boston Tea Party, Intolerable Acts: Series of British policies that fueled colonial discontent.
  • Sons of Liberty: Founded by Samuel Adams, this group played a key role in organizing resistance against British rule.
  • First Continental Congress: Issued the Rights and Grievances, a final warning to King George III.
  • April 19, 1775: Battles of Lexington and Concord: The first battles of the American Revolution, often referred to as the “shot heard ’round the world.”
  • May 10, 1775: Second Continental Congress: Led to the Declaration of Independence.
  • Battle of Yorktown: The final major battle of the American Revolution, leading to British surrender.
  • Thomas Paine’s Common Sense: A pamphlet that rallied public support for independence.
  • Articles of Confederation (Ratified 1781): The first government document of the newly formed United States. Its weaknesses included a unicameral congress, lack of a centralized military, and no power to tax.
  • Federalists vs. Antifederalists: Federalists advocated for a strong central government, while Antifederalists favored strong state governments.
  • Shay’s Rebellion (1786): Led by Daniel Shays, this farmer’s rebellion highlighted the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.
  • Constitutional Convention (1787): Delegates met in Philadelphia to address the shortcomings of the Articles of Confederation. Rhode Island did not participate.
  • Virginia Plan vs. New Jersey Plan: The Virginia Plan proposed a bicameral legislature based on population, while the New Jersey Plan proposed a unicameral legislature with equal representation.
  • Three-Fifths Compromise: For every five enslaved people, three were counted for representation purposes.
  • Connecticut (Great) Compromise: Created a bicameral legislature with a lower house (House of Representatives) based on population and an upper house (Senate) with equal representation.

Checks and Balances

  • Legislative over Executive: Can reject appointments, adjourn Congress, reject treaties, impeach, and override vetoes.
  • Executive over Legislative: Can veto bills.
  • Legislative over Judicial: Can impeach Supreme Court justices, reject appointments, and propose constitutional amendments.

Articles of the Constitution

  • Article I (Legislative Branch): Establishes a bicameral Congress.
  • Article II (Executive Branch): Establishes the presidency.
  • Article III (Judicial Branch): Establishes the Supreme Court.
  • Article IV (Interstate Relations): Addresses full faith and credit, privileges and immunities, extradition, and national protection.
  • Article V (Amendments): Outlines the process for amending the Constitution.
  • Article VI (National Supremacy): Establishes the Constitution as the supreme law of the land.
  • Article VII (Ratification): Required nine of thirteen states to ratify the Constitution.