Tuesday, 2/23: Guided Notes and Essential Questions EQ: How did the U.S. Constitution create a stronger national government than the Articles of Confederation? Tuesday, 2/23: Guided Notes and Essential Questions Thursday, 2/25: Finish EQs and review responses Monday, 2/29: start Regents Practice Wednesday, 3/2: finish Regents Practice Friday, 3/4: Unit 2 Assessment (Constitution)

PREAMBLE: Purpose of the Constitution “We the People of the United States, in order to form a more perfect Union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”

GOALS OF CONSTITUTION Form a more perfect Union Establish justice Insure domestic tranquility Provide for the common defense Promote general welfare Guarantee liberty for ourselves + our posterity

Constitutional Convention - 1787 To correct the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation Ready to frame a new government Opposing views Government with authority (Federalists) or Protect individual rights (Anti-Federalists)

“Bundle of Compromises” Issues Large & small states North & South Strong national government versus states’ rights

Virginia Plan + N.J. Plan= Great Compromise The Great Compromise Virginia Plan + N.J. Plan= Great Compromise determine representation in Congress Bicameral legislature SENATE = Equal representation HOUSE = based State’s population (census every 10 years)

The Three-Fifths Compromise Slavery and power Representation Taxes

Ratify 9 out of 13 must approve Held conventions in each state “The Great Debate”

The Great Debate Alexander Hamilton Thomas Jefferson

Flexibility Elastic Clause Amendment Process Judicial Interpretation Congress can make all laws “necessary and proper” Stretches to fit changing circumstances example: minimum wage Amendment Process Changes Both Congress and the states must approve Judicial Interpretation Courts review cases

The Constitution of the United States Popular Sovereignty Source of all power to govern is the people Limited Government Powers are defined Legal limits Separation of powers Legislative, executive, judicial Checks and Balances Prevents too much power in any one branch

Three Branches of Government Legislative Branch Makes laws for the nation. Executive Branch Provides leadership and enforces laws. Judicial Branch Explains and interprets laws.

Check and Balances

ARTICLE 1: The Legislative Branch (makes laws) Bicameral – Two houses Senate House of Representatives

ARTICLE II: The Executive Branch (enforces law) Electing the president Electoral college Powers and duties

Electoral College

Debating the Electoral College System Voters cast ballots for electors Electors cast ballots for President + VP if candidate wins majority of votes in a state he/she get all the electors large states have more electors so candidates focus on these states AGAINST “winner-take-all” Electoral vote versus popular vote Electors not bound by law to vote for winning candidate FOR Amendment to Constitution Small states would lose over-representation Threat to two-party system

ARTICLE III: The Judicial Branch (interprets law) Two court system – FEDERAL & STATE National court system Each state has its own Federal – Judicial Review Interpretation of the Constitution

Foreign Policy “It is our true policy to steer clear of permanent alliances with any portion of the foreign world…” - Washington’s Farewell Address, September 17, 1796 Neutrality

Judicial Review 1803 Marbury v Madison established the right of Supreme Court to interpret laws passed by Congress John Marshall- Chief Justice of Supreme Court (Federalist) who increased power of court

Unwritten Constitution Traditions that are accepted but not always part of Constitution Cabinet- group of advisors to President Two-term Presidency- established by Washington only became part of Constitution after FDR political parties- organized around common ideas these are not required by Constitution

LOBBY Attempt to influence laws legislation

AMENDING THE CONSTITUTION Process for making a change to the Constitution Between 1795- 2002 only 27 amendments to Constitution

Bill of Rights To protect individuals and states against too much government power (prevent tyranny) Civil liberties protected by specific amendments Antifederalist would not ratify the Constitution without specific protections from the government