英美概况USA-5课件.pptVIP

Chapter 5The Confederation the Constitution 1. Articles of Confederation 邦联条例 the Declaration of Independence, 1776 Problem: how to govern the country? The 2nd Continental Congress a committee to draft a written constitution ? the Articles of Confederation (5 pages, 13 articles) adopted in 1777 approved in 1781 first constitution governing body: the Continental Congress ? the Congress of the Confederation 1. Articles of Confederation What is a confederation? Structural Weakness Congress was the sole organ (legislature) no executive judicial system weak congress, no concrete power veto of individual state Amendments needed ratification from all 13 states. Economic Weakness no power to levy tax no power to issue currency 2. Constitutional Convention 制宪会议 Time: May 25, 1787 – Sept. 17, 1787 Initial intention: to fix the Articles of Confederation Place: Independent Hall, Philadelphia delegates: 55 from 12 States (except Rhode Island) George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, James Madison (the Father of the Constitution) Result: the US Constitution adopted on Sept. 17, 1787 went into effect on March 4, 1789 James Madison 4th President (1809-17) George Washington (1789-97) John Adams (1797-1801) Thomas Jefferson (1801-09) Father of the Constitution key author of the U.S. Bill of Rights (first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution) Contents of the Constitution (p. 51) the supreme law (7 articles) Established separate powers of the three branches of the federal government: a legislature, the bicameral Congress; an executive branch led by the President; and a federal judiciary headed by the Supreme Court. ? to check and balance one another Enlarged the power of the federal government (p. 51). Could make all necessary proper laws. the doctrine of expressed power [明示权力原则,p.51] Now the Constitution: 7 articles 27 amendments Checks and Balances: History Checks and balances To prevent one