From Confederation to a Federation Building a New Nation What was REVOLUTIONARY about the American Revolution?

QofD 9.22 "As to the history of the Revolution, my ideas may be peculiar, perhaps singular, but what do we mean by the Revolution? The war?  That was no part of the Revolution."  There is the moment where you go "Huh?"  "It was only an effect and consequence of it. The Revolution was in the minds of the people, and this was effected from 1760 to 1775, in the course of fifteen years before a drop of blood was drawn at Lexington."  Former President John Adams to former president Thomas Jefferson August 1815. After hearing about an attempt to write a History of the American Revolution. There is nothing more common than to confound the terms of the American revolution with those of the late American war. The American war is over: but this is far from being the case with the American revolution. On the contrary, nothing but the first act of the great drama is closed. It remains yet to establish and perfect our new forms of government; and to prepare the principles, morals, and manners of our citizens, for these forms of government, after they are established and brought to perfection. Benjamin Rush, signer of the Declaration of Independence and delegate to the Continental Congress, January 1787

Time Line 1775-1783: American Rev. being fought 1776: Continental Congress adopts Declaration of  Independence 1777: Continental Congress adopts the Articles of  Confederation 1786: Shays Rebellion  1787: Constitutional Convention drafts the Constitution 1789: Constitution is ratified by 9 of the 13 states 1789: The original G-Dubya is elected President

Unitary System Confederation Federal System SOVEREIGNTY Look up these terms using your phone. Who has Sovereignty (power or decision making authority) Central government, State government or both? Unitary System Confederation Federal System If your family was a government structure (Parents are the Central government and Children are the States) which type of government would it be: Unitary Confederation Federal

http://www.apgovreview.com/The Articles of Confederation Were the AofC Successful? Define: FIRM LEAGUE OF FRIENDSHIP BETWEEEN THE STATES Confederation where States maintained SOVERIGNTY! (Ultimate and superior political authority to make decisions within their own boarders) What could CONGRESS DO? What they could NOT DO? Declare War Coin $ Pass Laws Treaties Raise Troops Levy (Pass)Taxes Force States to Comply! No Judicial Branch No Executive Branch Amend w/o Unanimous vote Americans distrusted a STRONG CENTRAL GOVERNMENT! Then WHY make AofC???

Problems? 1. Shays Rebellion (Mass) 2. State Economic Disputes Debt, Trade Disputes, Economic Depression, Territorial disputes, Foreign Commerce, Pirates and impressments… 1. Shays Rebellion (Mass) 2. State Economic Disputes 1785 Mt. Vernon Conf VA/MD 1786 Annapolis Conv. 1787 meeting of all 13 to fix AofC.

What was the purpose of creating the Constitution? Part 2: The Constitution What was the purpose of creating 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.

Key Constitutional Principles to createing a Virtuous Republic THE CONSTITUTION Separation of Powers Checks/Balances Federalism Limited Gov’t Popular Sovereignty Judicial Review Key Constitutional Principles to createing a Virtuous Republic

Worksheet Basic Principles

Constitutional Convention 3 Main Compromises 1. Form of Government & Representation 2. Chief Executive: Term and Selection Process 3. Slavery Taxation and Representation

The Constitution Constitution Political Challenge debated at the Convention How AofC addressed Challenge Constitution How to allow for Changes but also limit them? How to Separate Power? How to Balance Large & Small State interest? How to Select Representation? What Powers to give Congress? How to Limit Powers of Each Branch? What Powers do States Retain What Protections are there against Gov’t abuse? Amendment Process: Congress Propose 3/4 States Ratify Bicameral + Ex. + Jud House Population Senate = House = Pop vote __yrs Senate = St. Leg _yrs Article 1. Sec 8 Taxing, Commerce, Military… Cong vs. Pres/S.C. Pres vs Cong/S.C. S.C. vs Cong/Pres SofP + Checks/Bal = Limited Gov’t

QofD Which Principle of the Constitution is least represented in the original constitution? Federalism Separation of Powers Popular Sovereignty Checks and Balances

Constitution Scavenger Hunt 10.3.16 Power Grab (Smart Notebook) Electoral College Federalist Anti Amendments