Key-Word Outline

Key-Word Outline

INTRODUCTION

Attention: Hello, my name is ……

Overview: Today I will be covering the following issues: Scrapping of the Articles of Confederation, favoring an equal, but divided Three-Part Government, Limiting the Power of the States, and How the Constitution Protects All

Transition: Since we now have our road map set, let’s begin with my first main point.

BODY

MP 1: Scrapping of the Articles of Confederation.

The articles of the confederation were the first constitution of the united states. It was adopted in 1781. These articles allowed each state to retain its sovereignty, freedom and independence, jurisdiction and right” not expressly delegated to the U.S. Congress. The only prerogatives entrusted to Congress included the “sole and exclusive right and power” to regulate foreign affairs, initiate war, declare peace, fix weights and measures, regulate Indian affairs, establish a post office, send and receive ambassadors, coin money, and mediate boundary disputes between the states. These articles basically left the federal government powerless and that’s why they needed to be replaced

Transition: Since we now know why we need to scrap the articles of Confederation let’s look at why we need a three-branch government

MP 2: Favoring an equal, but divided Three-Part Government

The idea behind the equal but divided three-branch government is a simple one at its core. It is important to have a competent government, there should be checks and balances to make sure each can work independently of the others but not become too powerful and have a majority ruling over the others. In the Federalist No. 51 James Madison explains that in “a free government the security for civil rights must be the same as that for religious rights. It consists in the one case in the multiplicity of interests, and in the other in the multiplicity of sects.

Transition: In order for ideas like this to work we would first have to limit some power in the states, which brings me to my next main point.

MP 3: Limiting the Power of the States

John Jay discussed limiting the power of the states in The Federalist No. 4. In the document, he gave sound reasons such as one government united being able to defend itself against war better than multiple states being able to do so. The following quote by John Jay is from The Federalist No. 4.

“One government can collect and avail itself of the talents and experience of the ablest men, in whatever part of the Union they may be found. It can move on uniform principles of policy. It can harmonize, assimilate, and protect the several parts and members, and extend the benefit of its foresight and precautions to each. In the formation of treaties, it will regard the interest of the whole, and the particular interests of the parts as connected with that of the whole. It can apply the resources and power of the whole to the defense of any particular part, and that more easily and expeditiously than State governments or separate confederacies can possibly do, for want of concert and unity of system. It can place the militia under one plan of discipline, and, by putting their officers in a proper line of subordination to the Chief Magistrate, will, in a manner, consolidate them into one corps, and thereby render them more efficient than if divided into thirteen or into three or four distinct independent bodies.”

Transition: With that thought in mind let’s move on to the next Main Point

MP 4: How the Constitution Protects All

The constitution is the checks and balances mention earlier, it protects the people from the government that governs them. In the Federalist No. 1, Alexander Hamilton called on the masses to “rise up to the occasion by approving the New Constitution. He also stated that it would guarantee the “liberty, dignity, and happiness” of his Countrymen.

Transition: Now that we have covered how the Constitution Protects All I will conclude this speech

CONCLUSION

Summary: Today I discussed Scrapping of the Articles of Confederation, favoring an equal, but divided Three-Part Government, Limiting the Power of the States, and How the Constitution Protects All.

Re-motivation:

Closure: Thank you for taking the time to listen to my speech.

References

Madison, J. (1999). The Federalist No. 10. In American Journey. The Constitution and Supreme Court. Woodbridge, CT: Primary Source Media. Retrieved from http://link.galegroup.com.libraryresources.columbiasouthern.edu/apps/doc/EJ2155000176/UHIC?u=oran95108&xid=2c522e02

Madison, J. (1999). The Federalist No. 51. In American Journey. The Constitution and Supreme Court. Woodbridge, CT: Primary Source Media. Retrieved from http://link.galegroup.com.libraryresources.columbiasouthern.edu/apps/doc/EJ2155000217/UHIC?u=oran95108&xid=855310b9

Hamilton, A. (1999). The Federalist No. 1. In American Journey. The Constitution and Supreme Court. Woodbridge, CT: Primary Source Media. Retrieved from http://link.galegroup.com.libraryresources.columbiasouthern.edu/apps/doc/EJ2155000167/UHIC?u=oran95108&xid=2c522e02

Jay, J. (1999). The Federalist No. 4. In American Journey. The Constitution and Supreme Court. Woodbridge, CT: Primary Source Media. Retrieved from http://link.galegroup.com.libraryresources.columbiasouthern.edu/apps/doc/EJ2155000170/UHIC?u=oran95108&xid=fa80f758

Articles of Confederation: Did the Articles of Confederation Provide an Effective National Constitution? (2003). In K. Krawczynski (Ed.), History in Dispute (Vol. 12, pp. 17-26). Detroit: St. James Press. Retrieved from http://link.galegroup.com.libraryresources.columbiasouthern.edu/apps/doc/CX2877200013/UHIC?u=oran95108&xid=607188d6