The United States Constitution: The Framework of Our Government What factors contributed to the development of the Constitution? What happened at the Constitutional Convention? What is in the Constitution?

I.How Did We Get There? A. State constitutions- the base 1. Ratification procedures 2. L egislative bodies 3. Separation of powers 4. Religious liberty a) Disestablishment of churches b) Pluralism (many faiths) 5. Slavery restrictions

B. Articles of Confederation- “The Critical Period” 1. Were the first set of laws for the US ratified in Had a WEAK central government a) UNIcameral legislature b) 1 vote per state- regardless of size c) 9 votes needed to pass a LAW d) 13 votes needed for an AMENDMENT e) Powers held by the Congress: wage war, make treaties borrow money, send representatives to foreign countries 3. State governments had ALL the power 4. Successes under the A of C a) Land Ordinance of 1785** b) Northwest Ordinance of 1787** 5. Shays’ Rebellion proved the weakness of the central government

C. Constitutional Convention Called 1. Delegates met to discuss problems with the A of C…keep them?...change them???? delegates were white, middle-aged, upper-class men 3. Decision is made to draft a new system of government…more problems arise…compromise is the key to solving problems a) Representation- Great Compromise b) Slaves counting toward population totals- 3/5 Compromise c) Regulating commerce/slavery- Commerce Compromise

4. Outcomes of the Convention a) New governmental system created- DEMOCRATIC-REPUBLIC b) Division among the people emerges (Federalists v. Anti-federalists) c) Demands are made for a Bill of Rights (Anti-federalists) d) National government gains powers (TAXATION!!) e) 9 out 13 states needed for ratification- which comes in June 1788

II. The Constitution- A Document and Basis for Government A. Major Ideas in the Document 1. Popular sovereignty 2. Limited government 3. Separation of powers (Legislative, Executive, Judicial) 4. Checks & balances 5. Flexibility (elastic clause, amendment process, judicial review)

Preamble- 5 goals of the Constitution Article I Legislative Branch Article II Executive Branch Articles IV-VII Outline basic functions Bill of Rights First 10 Amendments Amendments Article III Judicial Branch B. Basic Organization of the Document

C. Basic Principles in the Constitution Today 1. National power 2. FEDERALISM**** 3. Judiciary 4. Civil liberties 5. Criminal procedures 6. Equality 7. Rights for Women 8. Rights for ethnic/racial groups 9. Presidential power in wartime and foreign affairs 10. Separation of power and capacity to govern 11. Avenues for representation\on 12. Property rights and economic policy 13. Constitutional change and flexibility

D. Important Aspects in the Document 1. Elastic clause- “CONGRESS… make all laws necessary and proper…” ***2. Federalism- separation of power between NATIONAL and STATE government 3. Electoral College- chooses the President- meant to act as a “safety net” in the election process

1.What factors contributed to the development of the Constitution? to the development of the Constitution? 2.What happened at the Constitutional Convention? Constitutional Convention? 3. What is in the Constitution ?