The U.S. Constitution

Background Articles of Confederation  Annapolis Convention (trade disputes)  Shays’ Rebellion Articles of Confederation  Annapolis Convention (trade disputes)  Shays’ Rebellion Hmmm … how much “power” should the people really have? Who do you fear more … the gov’t or the people? Hmmm … how much “power” should the people really have? Who do you fear more … the gov’t or the people? meeting called to “fix” the Articles of Confederation … but instead, a new constitution was written  ie. peaceful overthrow of US gov’t meeting called to “fix” the Articles of Confederation … but instead, a new constitution was written  ie. peaceful overthrow of US gov’t

Independence Hall

Constitutional Convention, 1787: Philadelphia, PA 55 delegates from 12 states (no RI) 55 delegates from 12 states (no RI) George Washington chosen president George Washington chosen president sessions = conducted in total secrecy! (but James Madison took notes) sessions = conducted in total secrecy! (but James Madison took notes)

Constitutional Convention, 1787: Philadelphia, PA Delegates supporters of stronger central gov’t: Ben Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, James Madison (“Father of the Constitution”),  came very well prepared (ie. plan for new gov’t) supporters of stronger central gov’t: Ben Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, James Madison (“Father of the Constitution”),  came very well prepared (ie. plan for new gov’t) supporters of state’s rights  most notable not chosen to attend supporters of state’s rights  most notable not chosen to attend Jefferson???/Adams??? Jefferson???/Adams???

Debates fix or scrap Articles of Confederation fix or scrap Articles of Confederation issue of slavery & Three-Fifths Compromise issue of slavery & Three-Fifths Compromise “big” states versus “small” states (really more populous v. less populous) “big” states versus “small” states (really more populous v. less populous) - Virginia Plan: more powerful national gov’t, add executive & judicial branches, bicameral legislative branch (2 houses, proportional to population) - New Jersey Plan: unicameral, every state having equal say

The Great Compromise Here’s what we ended up with: bicameral legislative branch with bicameral legislative branch with - Senate  equal representation for states - House of Representatives  proportional to population final draft of Constitution approved by delegates on September 17, 1787 final draft of Constitution approved by delegates on September 17, 1787

convention/christy/ convention/christy/

Ratification Process to go into effect, 9 of 13 states needed to approve the Constitution to go into effect, 9 of 13 states needed to approve the Constitution votes went through specially created state conventions (not state legislatures that were losing power with this document!) votes went through specially created state conventions (not state legislatures that were losing power with this document!) Federalists (pro-Constitution & strong central gov’t) & Anti-Federalists (anti-Constitution & pro-states’ rights) each started publishing articles in newspapers (mainly NY) arguing for their cause Federalists (pro-Constitution & strong central gov’t) & Anti-Federalists (anti-Constitution & pro-states’ rights) each started publishing articles in newspapers (mainly NY) arguing for their cause

The Federalist & Anti-Federalist Papers The Federalist Papers authors = Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, John Jay authors = Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, John Jay pen name = Publius pen name = Publius according to text book, “most sophisticated explanation of the new American political system ever written.” according to text book, “most sophisticated explanation of the new American political system ever written.” The Anti-Federalist Papers authors = Patrick Henry & others authors = Patrick Henry & others pen names = Brutus, Cato, etc… pen names = Brutus, Cato, etc… not as organized as Federalists, & authors didn’t all agree on one “vision” for USA not as organized as Federalists, & authors didn’t all agree on one “vision” for USA

Ratification! June 21, 1788: Constitution went into effect when New Hampshire became 9 th state to ratify it (& 4 others by 1790) June 21, 1788: Constitution went into effect when New Hampshire became 9 th state to ratify it (& 4 others by 1790)

The Bill of Rights Federalists “won” in several states because they promised to add amendments to protect citizens’ rights Federalists “won” in several states because they promised to add amendments to protect citizens’ rights first 10 amendments; added in 1791 first 10 amendments; added in 1791 written by James Madison (he actually wrote twelve) written by James Madison (he actually wrote twelve)

The Bill of Rights influenced by the English Bill of Rights (1689)  & Magna Carta, & English common law, etc., etc., etc… influenced by the English Bill of Rights (1689)  & Magna Carta, & English common law, etc., etc., etc… defines strict limits on how the federal gov’t can use its power over the people defines strict limits on how the federal gov’t can use its power over the people protects civil liberties: freedoms to think & act freely without gov’t interference protects civil liberties: freedoms to think & act freely without gov’t interference All of your rights are relative, not absolute! All of your rights are relative, not absolute!