Do Now Do you believe the state government or the federal government (The gov’t in Washington D.C. – The President, Congress, and Supreme Court) should have more power? Explain.

The Constitution

Constitutional Convention 1789 Philadelphia Government established by the Articles of Confederation not working Delegates from 12 of 13 states (except Rhode Island) meet to create new government. Two groups of people emerge that want different things included in new Constitution  Federalists Anti-Federalists

Federalists Wanted strong central government and limited state power.  large, orderly, and efficient government. Tended to be the upper class/wealthy. Merchants, bankers, business owners, large farm owners. Representation = one state, one vote

Anti-Federalists Wanted states to have most power/influence. States rights! Strong proponents of individual liberties and freedoms.  demanded a bill of rights to be a part of new constitution. Tended to be lower class.  small farm owners, debtors. Want representation in Congress based on population

3/5’s Compromise Problem with determining state population  are slaves counted in state population?? North says no South says yes Compromise with Three-fifths Clause Slaves = 3/5 person. In other words, 3/5 of state slave population would be included in the overall state population

Great Compromise Virginia Plan New Jersey Plan representation based on population (2 houses) New Jersey Plan Representation: one state = one vote (1 house) Great Compromise: combine both Senate: Each state – 2 reps House of Representatives: Based off pop.

Bill of Rights 1st 10 Amendments Protects individual liberties/freedoms Gov. can’t take these away Had to be added to Const. for ratification Anti-fed.

The Principles of the United States 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 defence, 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

Note Taking for the Next Section As we go through each principle make sure to: Write down the name of each principle Each one is a vocab term A note or 2 each principle  this should be in your own words

Popular Sovereignty The people = ultimate authority Representative democracy people elect leaders to make decisions for them

Limited Government Avoid tyrant/monarch Constitution limits power of gov. Constitution  abusive leaders can be removed

Federalism Division of power between State and National Governments Some powers shared National Government “supreme power”

Separation of Powers No one holds “too much” power Legislative branch makes the laws Executive branch carries out the laws Judicial branch interprets the laws

Legislative Branch Senate &House of Representatives Make laws Regulate Immigration Establish Post Offices and Roads Declare War

Executive Branch The President of the United States Chief Executive Chief of State Commander in Chief

Judicial Branch Supreme Court Protect Constitutional rights Considers cases involving national laws Declares laws and acts “unconstitutional”

Checks and Balances Prevents the abuse of power in government Each branch can check each other branch