Challenges of a New Nation: Constitution Convention

1.Article of Confederation was a constitution to establish the powers of a new national government. It provided a weak government and was revised on March 1, 1781.

Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation: - No strong national government - No leader controlled the government - Congress could not establish a national army - Congress could not collect taxes - Congress could make laws but not force them - Each state had one vote - Congress could not make laws about trade

2. Constitutional Convention was a meeting in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to discuss the problems the U.S. was having under the Articles of Confederation. This is where they decided to create a new document to replace the Articles of Confederation: the Constitution

Issues at the Constitutional Convention: -Rights of States afraid of a powerful nation similar to England -Federal System states could have authority over their own affairs, like schools and local elections; National controls things that affect the whole country, like money and military -Slavery not about the issue if right or wrong; but if they should be counted as part of the population for votes. They decided to take 3/5ths of the slaves vote and add to the free population known as 3/5ths Compromise.

3. Preamble is the part of the constitution that sets forth the goals and purposes to be served by the government. The Preamble to the Constitution of the United States begins, “We the people”, which establishes that the power of the government comes from the people.

4. James Madison was a Virginia lawyer who called the meeting of the Constitutional Convention. He arrived two weeks early to start planning and took detailed notes. He is known as the “Father of the Constitution”. -Was the Fourth President of the U.S. - Helped draft the U.S. Constitution and the U.S. Bill of Rights

5. Benjamin Franklin was the oldest delegate at the convention. He urged others to be willing to listen and convinced them that compromise was important in a free society.

6. Great Compromise was a decision to make the small states feel equal to the larger states. They agreed to split Congress into two houses for equal representation. Two houses are: -Senate - House of Representatives Capitol in Washington, D.C. Equal Representation (2)Representative determined by population

Challenges of a New Nation: Government and Rights

Our U.S. Constitution has three separate branches of government. 1. Legislative is headed by Congress (Senate and House of Representatives). They create and pass laws. 2. Executive is headed by the president, plus vice president. They carry out and enforce laws made by Congress. 3. Judicial is headed by the U.S. Supreme Court. They interpret and apply the law.

5. Checks and Balances is where each branch can check the power of the other two, and make sure one does not become too powerful. 4. Separation of Powers is the division of government.

Can override vetoes Can impeach president Can veto legislators Can call Congress back Can declare laws unconstitutional Can Impeach judges Approves judges Appoints federal judges Can declare executive actions unconstitutional

6. Constitution is a document establishing principles and rights of Americans. 7. Bill of Rights were written by James Madison and added to the Constitution in They provide a guarantee of basic freedoms. Include the first ten amendments. 8. Amendment is a change in or addition to something.

Bill of Rights Amendment 1 Freedom of Religion, Speech, Press, and Assembly Amendment 2 Right to bear arms Amendment 3 Troops may not be quartered in homes in peacetime Amendment 4 No unreasonable searches or seizures Amendment 5 Grand jury indictments required to prosecute a person for a serious crime Amendment 6 Right to speedy, public, impartial trial with defense Amendment 7 Jury trials in civil suits where value exceeds $20 Amendment 8 No excessive bail or fines; no cruel and unusual punishment Amendment 9 Unlisted rights are not necessarily denied Amendment 10 Powers not delegated to the US or denied to the states

Challenges of a New Nation: Abolitionist and Suffrage

1. Abolitionist is someone who, before the Civil War, fought to end slavery. 2. Suffrage is the right to vote in political elections.

3. Harriet Tubman was a former slave who escaped and joined a secret organization, the Underground Railroad. She helped her family and over 300 slaves escape to freedom.

4. Elizabeth Cady Stanton fought for both abolition of slavery and women’s suffrage. She went to many conventions and served as president of the NWSA: National Woman Suffrage Association

5. Sojourner Truth spoke out against slavery and women’s rights. Her original name was Isabella Baumfree. She was an excellent speaker and really got people’s attention.