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American Corrections11th EditionMichael D. Reisig, Todd R. Clear 160 solutions Congress began putting the Constitution into use as soon as it was ratified. The first action Congress took was to name New York City the temporary national capital. Later the capital was moved to Philadelphia. In 1800, the capital was moved to Washington, D.C. Congress gathered for the first time on March 4, 1789. The legislators met in Federal Hall on Wall Street in New York City. At that time, the states had elected 26 senators and 65 representatives to serve in the new Congress. Because it lacked a quorum (majority), Congress could not count the votes for President until April 6. On that day, George Washington was the unanimous choice for President. John Adams was elected Vice President. Then, on April 30, 1789, Washington traveled from his home in Mount Vernon, Virginia, to the capital in New York. He took the oath of office as the first President of the United States. After eleven states had ratified the Constitution in 1788, the states held elections for a new President. The first Congress of the new national government met in March, 1789. Because there was not a quorum, or majority of its members, the electoral votes could not be counted until April 6. At that point, it declared George Washington President. A system in which each branch of government checks the others to prevent one branch from becoming too powerful The checks-and-balances system means that the three branches of government must compromise if they want to get anything done. This is what the Framers intended. For example, when appointing people to government jobs, the President usually picks someone he knows Congress will approve. In a similar way, when Congress passes a law, its members try to make sure the law is constitutional. These compromises keep government operating smoothly most of the time. Note, however, that the working relationship between the President and Congress runs more smoothly when they are of the same political party. Throughout most of our history, this has been the case. For the past 50 years, however, the American people have become familiar with divided government. But most recently, the Democrats won control of two branches of government. In 2008, Barack Obama recaptured the White House for the Democrats, and the Democratic Party strengthened its slim majorities in Congress. Many informal amendments to the Constitution have been made since 1787. Unlike formal amendments, these have not changed the Constitution's actual words. These changes have come from five sources. 1. Congress has made changes to the Constitution through two kinds of basic legislation. First, it has passed laws that fill in details about the specific ways the government operates. Second, it has passed thousands of laws that explain certain parts of the Constitution. 2. The way Presidents have used their powers has produced some informal amendments. For example, a President may choose to make an executive agreement, or pact, with the head of another country instead of a treaty, which is a formal agreement between two sovereign countries that requires congressional approval. 3. The courts, especially the U.S. Supreme Court, have informally changed the Constitution by explaining parts of it when ruling on cases. The courts also decide if government actions are constitutional. 4. Political parties have informally shaped what the government does. For example, the parties have decreased the importance of the electoral college, the group that formally selects the nation's President. 5. Customs are the usual ways people do things. Many customs have developed in American government that are not mentioned in the Constitution. For example, the President's Cabinet, or advisory body, is customarily made up of the heads of executive departments and other officers. Senatorial courtesy is a custom in which the Senate will not approve a presidential appointment to serve in a state if the appointment is opposed by a senator from the President's party. What process did the framers select for ratifying the Constitution?James Madison was afraid that the Constitution would be rejected so he had to come up with a better plan. His plan was to ask the states to ratify the Constitution at state conventions. The delegates of each state would be voted by the people from that state.
What helped encourage ratification of the Constitution quizlet?The Federalist Papers were written to encourage the ratification of the Constitution. They stated the opinions of the people that eventually comprised the Federalist Party. The Anti Federalists feared that the national government would become too powerful and limit personal rights.
How did the framers deal with divisions between the states over ratification of the Constitution quizlet?The Constitution placed many prohibitions on state power, which the Founders feared would prevent legislatures from ratifying the document. How did the Framers deal with divisions between the states over ratification of the Constitution? They required nine of thirteen states to ratify.
How did the framers bypass Congress and state legislatures in the process of ratifying the new Constitution group of answer choices?The founders set the terms for ratifying the Constitution. They bypassed the state legislatures, reasoning that their members would be reluctant to give up power to a national government. Instead, they called for special ratifying conventions in each state. Ratification by 9 of the 13 states enacted the new government.
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