HIST-H 105 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Tenth Amendment To The United States Constitution, Strict Constructionism, Supremacy Clause
Document Summary
John adams in charge of group writing complex mass. constitution still in effect today. Us constitution: article i (longest)- legislative branch. Gave congress power to regulate interstate commerce. Could coin money and translate foreign money. Establish post offices and post roads to speed up mail delivery. Establish navy, have and raise army (power split between legislative and executive- president is commander-in-chief of military) Clause- loose construction of constitution (used at will, loosely interpreted: jefferson believed in strict construction (if not in. Constitution, don"t do it: argument still happening today, article ii- executive branch. More vague: article iii (shortest)- judicial branch. Based on common law- not much need for detail except small changes and additions. Under common law, families of traitors punished; constitution said only convicted traitors should be punished- new concept: article vi- supremacy clause. What federal law says goes- can overrule state laws: amendment x- way for constitution to survive long-term.
