Constitutional Convention When/Where /Who Why September 1787 Congress met for a Constitutional Convention Articles of Confederation were not working A stronger central government was needed

Principles  Separation of powers with 3 branches of government  Checks and balances so that no branch was too powerful  Guarantees equality under the law with majority rule and the rights of the minority protected

Constitutional Convention They created the U.S. Constitution A written plan for the structure of the U.S. government.

Political Ideas and Traditions that influenced our gov't. U.S. Government

Political Ideas and Traditions that influenced our gov't. U.S. Government Ancient Greek Democracy

Greek Democracy

Political Ideas and Traditions that influenced our gov't. U.S. Government Ancient Greek Democracy British Parliament

British Parliament

Political Ideas and Traditions that influenced our gov't. U.S. Government Ancient Greek Democracy British Parliament Magna Carta

Political Ideas and Traditions that influenced our gov't. U.S. Government Ancient Greek Democracy British Parliament Magna Carta English Bill of Rights

English Bill of Rights

Political Ideas and Traditions that influenced our gov't. U.S. Government Ancient Greek Democracy British Parliament Magna Carta English Bill of Rights Enlightenment Thinkers

Enlightenment Thinkers John Locke and Baron de Montesquieu

Political Ideas and Traditions that influenced our gov't. U.S. Government Ancient Greek Democracy British Parliament Magna Carta English Bill of Rights Enlightenment Thinkers

FEDERALISM

The Federal System The division of power between the national government and the governments of the states.

Shared Powers Federal Government Power to tax Regulate trade Control currency Raise an army Declare war Pass laws State Government Pass/enforce laws Regulate trade within their borders Establish local governments, schools, etc.

Supreme Law of the Land  Constitution - Final and supreme authority  Settled disputes between the states and federal government  A “living document”

Separation of Powers

Organization of Government Distributes power equally among three branches of government Ensures no person or branch of government is too powerful

Legislative Branch Created in Article I Congress is the lawmaking branch Made up of 2 houses: the Senate and the House of Representatives Powers of the Legislative Branch Collects Taxes Coining Money Regulates trade Declares war Confirms presidential appointments Makes the laws

Executive Branch Created in Article II Executes the country’s laws Headed by the President Powers of the Executive Branch Commander in chief or the armed forces Conducts foreign policy Approves or vetoes laws Administers and executes the laws Appoints ambassadors, federal judges and others

Judicial Branch Created in Article III Interprets laws and punishes lawbreakers Supreme Court is the head of the judicial branch Powers of the Judicial Branch Hears cases involving the constitution Interprets the Constitution and other laws Reviews lower court decisions

System of Checks and Balances Ensures that no branch becomes too powerful Each branch has powers that limit the powers of the other two branches The world watched to see if self-government could work

Federalists vs. Anti-federalists Federalists: Favored ratification of the Constitution. Favored ratification of the Constitution. Wanted a strong national government. Wanted a strong national government. James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay strong supporters James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay strong supporters Wrote a series of essays “Federalist Papers” explaining constitution Wrote a series of essays “Federalist Papers” explaining constitution Sent to state conventions Sent to state conventions

Federalists vs. Anti-federalists Antifederalists: Opposed ratification of Constitution Opposed ratification of Constitution Wanted a Bill of Rights to protect the people Wanted a Bill of Rights to protect the people FederalistsAntifederalist Feared DisorderFeared Oppression

Adopting the Constitution June 21, 1788 The ninth state approves – New Hampshire The ninth state approves – New Hampshire New York / Virginia had not ratified Constitution New York / Virginia had not ratified Constitution Two largest states Two largest states Wanted a Bill of Rights Wanted a Bill of Rights Bill of Rights was added in 1791 Bill of Rights was added in 1791