Chapter 2 – Section 3

LEQ How did compromise make ratification of the new United States Constitution possible?

British Principles Because of their British heritage, many principles of government were taken from England

Magna Carta Guaranteed that people could not be arrested, put in prison, or be deported without a fair trial Citizens would be judged by English law only Protected the rights of Parliament against the monarch

English Bill of Rights Signed in 1689 Included the right to petition Receive a fair punishment if found guilty of a crime

Parliament The lawmaking body of Great Britain

Bicameral Consisting of two parts or houses House of Lords Appointed by the monarch

House of Commons Elected by the people Each house can check the work of the other

Head of British government Prime Minister From the party holding the most seats in the House of Commons Can be replaced if his party loses a majority

Meetings of the Delegates Wanted to discuss ideas freely Public disclosure would make it harder to change their mind Hold meetings in secret James Madison “Father of the Constitution” kept a journal of proceedings

Federalism Governmental powers are divided between the federal and state governments Different from a unitary system – national government holds all the power

Compromise An agreement in which each side gives up parts of its demands in order to reach a solution to a problem

Great Compromise Large states wanted representation based on population Small states wanted representation to be equal Senate – representation would be equal

Strong National Government Congress given the power to: Coin and print money Raise armed forces Regulate trade amongst the states and foreign nations Set taxes Create a Supreme Court

Completed Constitution September 1787 No delegate was satisfied with every part Signed by 39 of the 42 members present

Ratification Formal approval Had to be approved by 9 of the 13 states Some strongly supported, some were strongly against

Federalists Supporters of the Constitution who wanted a strong national government Was needed to keep the country united Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison published the Federalist papers

Anti Federalists Those who opposed the Constitution and the federal system of government Strong government defeated the purpose of the Revolutionary War Would protect neither the states’ power nor the peoples’ freedoms

When was it ratified? Had to promise a Bill of Rights would be added if ratified June 1788 the ninth state ratified the Constitution First – Delaware April 30, 1789 – George Washington was sworn in as the first President