U.S. History Review 4 Constitution

Articles of Confederation Weaknesses: Weak Central/Federal government (can’t enforce laws, no president and one vote per state in Congress) No Money as a nation; each state had its own paper money No National power to tax No National army or navy No National power to regulate commerce or trade between states; each state could put tariffs on trade between states No National courts Strengths: First Constitution of the U.S. Strong State Governments National government can declare war, sign treaties and make peace Can operate post offices Northwest Ordinance 1787 – plan for the formation of new states

Shays’ Rebellion Daniel Shays led farmers to protest against tax collections in Massachusetts They were debt-ridden and couldn’t make their payments on their mortgages – didn’t want to lose their farms to creditors showed the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation This led to the call to revise the Articles

Constitutional Convention The Great Compromise – also known as the Connecticut Plan Two house legislature Equal representation in the Senate and based on population in the House Virginia Plan (supported by large states) 3 branches of government Executive, Judiciary and Legislative (population determined the number of members in the House and Senate) New Jersey Plan (supported by small states) Equal representation in Congress One House Legislature VS

Constitutional Convention 3/5 Compromise - a slave would count as 3/5 person when determining House representation and direct taxes by states to the federal government South – wanted slaves to count as people to gain more representatives in Congress North – unfair since slaves were considered property

Federalist vs. Antifederalists Federalist – support the ratification of the Constitution Antifederalist – oppose the ratification of the Constitution

ratification of the Constitution Federalists (Favored) Antifederalists (Opposed) Strong National government - Limiting state power Bill of Rights not necessary National government could properly manage debt Big business support Central banking system Too much government power; Took too much power from the states Needed a BILL OF RIGHTS to protect individuals Support of farmers and small rural communities States should manage their own money

Ratification Federalist Papers: - Newspaper essays written about the U.S. government in support of the Constitution Antifederalist Writings: - opposed ratification because they believed in limited power of the national government

Bill of Rights 1st Amendment: Freedom of Speech, Press, Religion, Petition and Assembly 2nd Amendment: Right to bear arms 3rd Amendment: Protection from quartering troops 4th Amendment: Protection from unreasonable search and seizure 5th Amendment: Grand jury, protection from self incrimination 6th Amendment: Right to a jury for criminal trial, speedy trial 7th Amendment: Right to a jury in civil cases 8th Amendment: No cruel and unusual punishment, excessive bail 9th Amendment: Protection of rights not stated in the Constitution 10th Amendment: Powers not listed go to the states and people

Government and Citizenship Judicial Review: - review by the U.S. Supreme Court of the constitutional validity of a legislative act Due Process: - fair treatment through the normal judicial system Civic Duty: - expectation of every member of society (jury duty, taxes, voting, volunteering)

7 Principles of the Constitution Federalism: power of the government is shared between the states and national government Separation of Powers: Split the powers of the government into three branches; Executive, Legislative and Judicial branches Limited Government: placed strict limits on government to protect the people Individual Rights: the first 10 amendments of the Constitution protect individuals rights against the power of the government Republicanism: Government in which the desires of people are represented in government by elected representatives Popular Sovereignty: Means the government was created by the people in order to govern themselves Checks and Balances: Each branch makes sure the others are working the way they are supposed to

Amending the Constitution Proposed: #1 – Amendments Proposed in Either of 2 ways: - By Congress – whenever 2/3 of both Houses deem it necessary Or - By a Convention – called by Congress on the application of 2/3 of the state legislatures Ratified: #2 – Amendments Ratified in Either of 2 ways: - By Legislatures – of ¾ of the states Or - By Conventions – in ¾ of the states (whichever mode of ratification may be proposed by Congress)