A “Just Right” Government WANTED: A “Just Right” Government

Wanted: A government that… Has enough ________ to do its job Doesn’t give anyone too ______ power Considers the needs of all _________ Lets people have a ________ Protects individual __________ much say states power Give students two minutes to use these words to complete the cloze “wanted” note on the notetaking worksheet. When they are finished, ask for the answers by reading each phrase, pausing at the blank, and asking the class for a choral response. rights

In 1777, the Americans wrote their first plan for government in a document called the Articles of Confederation

The First Attempt: The Articles of Confederation The Articles of Confederation? What’s a confederation?? A confederation is a _________ of individuals _______ together for a _________. group united Make sure students understand we’re talking about the first attempt at a new government. Then give students 2-3 minutes to fill in the first cloze paragraph with these words. Check answers by reading the sentences and pausing for choral response. purpose

The First Attempt: The Articles of Confederation Each state was _________________ and had its own ________________. Each state would send _______________ to the “Congress of the Confederation.” The Congress was the only ____________ government. There was no ___________. In Congress, each state got _______ vote. independent government representatives central Make sure students understand we’re talking about the first attempt at a new government. Then give students 2-3 minutes to fill in the first cloze paragraph with these words. Check answers by reading the sentences and pausing for choral response. President one

The First Attempt: The Articles of Confederation Hey, this sounds great! Wait! Not so fast… States get to keep their ______ and ____________ No _____________ telling the states what to do Congress had the power to create a _________ to ________all the states Congress had no way to __________ its _______! Congress had no power to collect _________ to pay for the military! The Articles could only be _________ if ______ the states agreed! power independence enforce laws government taxes military protect changed ALL

Think About It Under the Articles of Confederation, a President would lead the country.  True  False Slides 7 – 13: Click through the slides to quiz students. The class should give a choral response of “true” or “false.” 

States would be independent under the Articles of Confederation. Think About It States would be independent under the Articles of Confederation.   True  False

The Articles of Confederation were easy to change. Think About It The Articles of Confederation were easy to change.  True  False 

The more people a state had, the more votes it got in Congress. Think About It The more people a state had, the more votes it got in Congress.  True  False 

Congress did not have the power to collect taxes. Think About It Congress did not have the power to collect taxes.   True  False

Congress could pass laws and force states to follow them. Think About It Congress could pass laws and force states to follow them.  True  False 

The Articles of Confederation created the first American government. Think About It The Articles of Confederation created the first American government.   True  False

Congress is too weak to end the conflicts between our states! There were some good things and some bad things about the Articles of Confederation. In general, people felt like the government wasn’t working! Congress is too weak to end the conflicts between our states!

But there was no easy solution… We need a President! Large states should have more say! Down with central government! Small states should have more say! More help for fishermen! Who needs a President? Up with central government! More help for farmers!

States Had Different Needs Some states depended on , fishing while others mostly grew . crops

States Had Different Sizes Some states had people, many while others had . few

People Had Different Opinions Some people feared a central government. Others thought a central government was . necessary A central government will have too much power! We’ll lose our freedom! But we’ll never get anything done if no one is in charge!!

Everybody thought the central government should have more power. Think About It Everybody thought the central government should have more power.  True  False Slides 19 – 23: Click through the slides to quiz students. The class should give a choral response of “true” or “false.” 

Some people were afraid states might lose their independence. Think About It Some people were afraid states might lose their independence.   True  False

Different states had different needs for government to meet. Think About It Different states had different needs for government to meet.   True  False

The states all got along with each other. Think About It The states all got along with each other.  True  False 

Think About It The government created by the Articles of Confederation had everything under control among the states.  True  False 

Something needed to change, but people didn’t want a central government to have too much power!

The states decided to put aside some of their differences and come together to try to solve the problem of forming a new government…

Articles of Confederation A New Idea! Articles of Confederation New Idea 1 Branch Legislative—makes laws 3 Branches

A New Idea! Legislative: Makes laws How many should each state get in the legislature? votes But Wait! Executive: Carries out laws Judicial: Interprets laws

Think About It Each state gets to send representatives to the legislature. Which states would have the most power if… The more people a state had, the more representatives it got? Answer: The more people, the more power!

Think About It Each state gets to send representatives to the legislature. Which states would have the most power if… Each state got one vote, no matter how small? Answer: People in the small states would have more power.

Battle of the Plans The Virginia Plan The New Jersey Plan Legislative branch has ___ “chambers” Number of votes for each state depends on the state’s ___________ ________ states would have more power 2 Legislative branch has ___ “chamber” Each state gets ___ vote ________ states would have more power 1 1 Smaller population Larger (Virginia was a large state, and New Jersey was a small state. Surprise!)

Think About It Is it more fair for every state to have the same amount of power no matter how few people live there, or should states with more people have more power?  All states should have the same power  Larger states should have more power Poll the class. Call on random students to explain their choices. WHY?

The Constitution of the United States of America There were a lot of differences to overcome and a lot of compromises to make…but finally… The Constitution of the United States of America

The Constitution Solution Legislative: Makes laws Divide Congress Into Two Houses Senate House of Representatives Each state gets 2 votes. The more people the state has, the more votes it gets! Executive: Carries out laws Judicial: Interprets laws And that’s not all…

Not only did the Constitution resolve the problem of the legislature, but it solved some other problems as well…

Think About It Did the Articles of Confederation require states to treat other states the same as their own citizens?  Yes  No 

The Constitution Solution The Constitution requires each state to treat ________ of other states the ______ as it treats its own citizens. citizens same

Think About It How many states had to agree in order for the Articles of Confederation to be changed?   All states  A majority of states

The Constitution Solution The Constitution can be changed if ________________ of the members of Congress and ________________ of the states agree. two-thirds (2/3) three-fourths (3/4)

Think About It Did the Articles of Confederation require states to follow the laws Congress passed?  Yes  No 

The Constitution Solution The Constitution says that the laws passed by Congress are _________ to laws passed by the _______. superior states

The new Americans made compromises and found solutions for their new government. Let’s review the final product of the Constitutional Convention!

Under the Constitution Laws are made by the _______ branch. A B  Slides 42 – 47: Click through the slides to quiz students. The class should give a choral response of “A” or “B.” executive legislative

Under the Constitution Laws passed by Congress are _____ to state laws. A  B superior inferior

Under the Constitution Congress has ______. A B  1 chamber 2 chambers

Under the Constitution Each state gets two votes in the __________. A B  House of Representatives Senate

Under the Constitution In the House of Representatives, the number of votes each states gets is based on its ________. A  B population taxes

Under the Constitution A change to the Constitution must be approved by ___________. A B  All states ¾ of states

Although they managed to solve the problems created by the Articles, there were still many decisions to be made before everyone accepted the Constitution!