WEEK 2

Discussion questions for Wednesday, September 1, 2010

September 1 (Wednesday):  Origins

• READ:     LeCroix, "The Federal Idea"
                 Robertson, "The Policy Crisis of the 1780s"
                 Walker, The Rebirth of Federalism, Chapter 2, 39-64      

1. Why is sovereignty so important? Can sovereignty in a territory actually be divided? What political purpose would divided sovereignty serve in the four cases LeCroix identifies.

2. What economic circumstances divided the states? Could the states have formed 3 separate confederations that would have been viable?  Give both sides.

3. Describe the government under the Articles of Confederation.  What were the most important changes the framers of the 1787 Constitution made in the relationship of the states and the national government?