EVOLUTION OF THE MODERN CONGRESS

I.          Antecedents to Congress

A.     Four Stages of Legislative Development in England

1.                  1300s – 1500s:  dominance by the monarchy

2.                  1500s - 1700s:  growing parliamentary independence

3.                  1700s – 1800s:  parliamentary limitations on monarchy

4.                  1800s-present:  electoral base broadened

B.     Pre-Independence Experience in America

1.                  Colonial Government

The Thirteen Colonies were established by one of three possible means.

  • Proprietary colonies: Pennsylvania, Delaware and Maryland. The British Crown gave a charter (document) and land to a private owner (proprietor) who would then govern the colony.
  • Royal colony|Royal colonies]]: New Hampshire, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. The British Crown retained sovereignty over the colony and governed it.
  • Charter colonies: Rhode Island and Connecticut. The British Crown granted a charter (document) to a group of settlers, who would then govern the colony.

2.                  Continental Congresses

3.                  Articles of Confederation

II.      Institutional Evolution

A.     Pre-Modern and Modern Congress

B.     Growth 

1.                  size of House (population size of districts)

2.                  work load

3.                  staff

C.     Congressional Specialization

D.     Constituency Demands

E.      Careerism  

F.     Compensation    

III.      Constitutional Provisions and Powers (summary)

                    A.    FISCAL POWERS

                        1. AUTHORIZATION

                        2. APPROPRIATION

                        3. OVERVIEW OF AUTHORIZATION AND APPROPRIATION PROCESS

                       4. TAXATION

                B.     COMMERCE REGULATION

                C.     FOREIGN AFFAIRS

                        1.       POWER TO DECLARE WAR (234 uses of U.S. armed forces)

                        2.       SENATORIAL RATIFICATION OF TREATIES

                        3.       APPROPRIATION

                D.     SENATORIAL CONFIRMATION OF PRESIDENTIAL  NOMINATIONS

                E.     IMPEACHMENT

                F.     PROPOSING CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

                G.     ELECTING THE PRESIDENT AND VICE-PRESIDENT

                        1.      THE ELECTION OF 1800

                        2.      THE ELECTION OF 1824   

IV.    The Problem of Majority Tyranny and Efforts at Solutions (Federalist #51)

        A.     Bicameralism

         B.     Separation of Government Structures/Shared Powers

        C.     Federalism   

        D.     Limits on Congress   

            1.     “herein granted” provision

            2.     judicial review

            3.     executive veto

            4.     executive implementation of law

 

Key Web Sites

Colonial Government

Senate:   Glossary of Terms