The Constitution & Compromise

When is it good to compromise? We make compromises all the time Write one paragraph (5 sentences) that answers the following questions What is an example of a compromise you have made? Were you happy with how this compromise turned out? The delegates (representatives) who wrote the Constitution made compromises too. (2:40)

Compromise example You really want to play sports after school all year long You are worried you will not have enough time for your schoolwork Compromise – you decide to play a sport during part of the year only

Before the Constitution Declaration of Independence Not a governing document Articles of Confederation Weak national government For example, national government could not tax people More state power

Constitution Background Convention originally met to revise the Articles of Confederation 12 states participated (not Rhode Island) Led by Federalists Federalists want a stronger national (federal) government Opposed by Anti-Federalists Anti-Federalists want a weaker national (federal) government The Convention met in Independence Hall (in Philadelphia)

The delegates wound up writing a new document, called the Constitution… The Constitution dGbkhttps:// dGbk (4 mins)

Congress In America, the people vote for representatives These representatives make decisions for the people instead of everyone voting for everything How should America’s system of representatives work? State Representation COMPROMISES

State Representation Virginia Plan Representation based on population More representatives from bigger states New Jersey Plan Equal representation for all states, no matter their population Result Connecticut Compromise (Great Compromise), which allowed both kinds of representation COMPROMISES Questions - Whose side are you on? - Are you willing to compromise? - Why or why not?

Even after America won independence, slavery continued Especially in southern states America also still traded for slaves from Africa 1.) Should America count slaves as part of the population? States with higher populations are more powerful 2.) Should America stop the slave trade with Africa? Slavery COMPROMISES

Slavery Pro-Slavery 1.) Count slaves as part of the population This gives more voting power to slave states 2.) Keep the African slave trade Anti-Slavery 1.) Don’t count slaves as part of the population This gives less voting power to slave states 2.) Get rid of the African slave trade COMPROMISES Questions - Whose side are you on? - Are you willing to compromise? - Why or why not?

Results 1.) A slave was counted as 3/5 of a person 2.) They did not get rid of the slave trade right away Little talk of abolishing slavery “It was inconsistent with the principles of the revolution and dishonorable to the American character to have such a feature in the Constitution.” - Luther Martin (Maryland) “Religion & humanity had nothing to do with this question. Interest alone is the governing principle with nations.” – John Rutledge (South Carolina) Slavery COMPROMISES

Federalists wanted a strong central government Unlike the Articles of Confederation Anti-Federalists were worried the Constitution would give too much power to government And take away rights from the people Kind of like a new King Rights COMPROMISES

State and Individual Rights Federalists The Constitution is a good document because it creates a stronger national government Anti-Federalists We should have more protection for state and individual rights Result Constitution was approved, with a Bill of Rights added COMPROMISES Questions - Whose side are you on? - Are you willing to compromise? - Why or why not?

The Bill of Rights The Bill of Rights is the first 10 amendments to the Constitution An amendment means a change or correction This gives more rights to the people Protects the people from government power It was written by James Madison “Father of the Constitution” Today there are a total of 27 amendments to the Constitution

The Three Branches of Government Legislative (Congress) Includes the Senate and the House of Representatives These people make the laws Executive (President) The President approves the laws The leader of the country Judicial (Supreme Court) The Supreme Court has nine members These people are appointed, not elected, and they serve for life They review the laws and decide if the laws follow the Constitution

The Finished Constitution The US government has many checks and balances The branches of the government share power Why does the Constitution share power among different branches? So that no part of the government is too powerful Balance

Identify the Branch You want to create new laws You want to approve or reject laws You want to decide if a law is allowed according to the Constitution You want to debate suggested laws You want to be the leader of the country You want to make speeches about the future of the country You want to represent your state or part of a state You want to represent the whole country You want to serve for life You only want to be in the government for a little while (2 answers) You want to be elected (2 answers) You want to be appointed Which branch is best for you? Why?

Ratification of the Constitution Ratification Means approval Ratification of the Constitution = will the states approve the Constitution? Two sides of the ratification debate Federalists (wanted the Constitution) vs. Anti-Federalists (didn’t like the Constitution as much) Ratification of the Constitution intro video

A lot of history is detective work…

Primary Sources First-hand sources from a time in history

What do you see in this political cartoon? What do you think this cartoon means? Do you think the cartoon is for or against the Constitution? Do you have any other questions about this cartoon?

What we can learn from this cartoon 1.) Delaware was the first state to ratify the Constitution 2.) Pennsylvania was the second state to ratify the Constitution 3.) Some people said the Constitution was a second layer of government on top of state governments 4.) Some people thought the ratification of the Constitution was very important

Test Info Constitution Test – Thursday, March 5 The test will be moved to Friday, March 6 if there is a snow day or a two-hour delay on Thursday Hand in your review sheet by the test day to get 5 extra credit points on the test The review sheet needs to be fully completed This PowerPoint and all assignments from this unit are on the class wikispace mrortiz.wikispaces.com Click ‘US History 193’ (on the left side of the screen) Then click the ‘Constitution’ link

Schoolhouse Rock Constitution Bill of Rights TED-Ed Constitution Intro Bill of Rights rap Ratification of the Constitution