Lecture # 2 The Constitution Standard 11.1.3

Standard 11.1.3 Understand the history of the Constitution after 1787 with emphasis on federal versus state authority and growing democratization Essential Question: Describe the process of the creation of the Constitution.

Virginia Massachusetts New York Was New Amsterdam Maryland Rhode Island Connecticut Delaware Was New Sweden New Hampshire North Carolina South Carolina New Jersey Pennsylvania Georgia That’s the 13 Original Colonies

The Articles of Confederation 1781-1788 Our 1st govt. = extremely weak We feared an absolutist (monarch/dictator) Wanted people to maintain in power It was a really terrible government, but it was OUR terrible government. Open the blue book to page A28. CSS11.1.2

Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation 9 of 13 votes to pass a law 13 out of 13 to amend. Representatives were frequently absent. Could not tax or raise armies. No executive or judicial branches. Own trading policies-limited trade

13 Different Constitutions Most had strong governors w/veto power Property required for voting Some had universal white male suffrage Most had bills of rights Many had a continuation of state-established religions while others disestablished religion

Shays’ Rebellion, 1786 Daniel Shays = Farmer Lost His Farm Armed uprising in Massachusetts made many realize that the government is too weak After the uprising states agreed to meet in Philadelphia, PA. There could be no stronger evidence of the want of energy in our governments than these disorders. -- George Washington

The Constitutional Convention, 1787 Virginia Plan James Madison two-house legislature w/membership based on each state’s population New Jersey Plan Small States single-house congress in which each state had an equal vote

The Constitutional Convention, 1787 Great Compromise Roger Sherman suggested a two-house legislature. Upper house ~ equal votes Lower house ~ based on pop. Three-Fifths Compromise S. states wanted to include slaves in pop. Count them but only as three-fifths of a person

Ratification of the Constitution, 1789 9 of 13 states had to ratify (accept) the Con. for it to be law Federalists wanted the states to vote for the Con. James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, George Washington, Ben Franklin Shared power state gov. and the federal gov. Wrote “The Federalist Papers”~ they won Anti-Federalists wanted the states to vote against it. They demanded a guarantee of basic rights called the Bill of Rights. John Hancock, Sam Adams, Patrick Henry Wanted a weak national gov. & more state power fundamental liberties Amendments 1–10 (Bill of Rights) and held parades to drum up support for their side. sharing Wanted a strong pres. & more national power than state power

What’s in the Constitution? Federalism Separation of Powers Separation of Church and State

To Ratify Or Not To Ratify? “I review…the subject…and…the dangers…in this new plan of government, and compare…my poor abilities to secure our rights, it will take much more time to traverse the objectionable parts of it…The change is dangerous…and the experiment ought to be made..” Patrick Henry Opposes the Ratification “The establishment of a Constitution…by the…consent of a whole people, is a prodigy, to the completion of which I look forward…I dread…the consequences of new attempts, because I know that powerful individuals,…are enemies to a general national government in every possible shape.” Alexander Hamilton The Federalist Papers

US Constitution Worksheet