The Constitutional Convention 1787

Creating the Constitution Small States vs Large States The New Jersey Plan (Small States) The Virginia Plan (Large States) The Fight over Representation

The Virginia Plan This plan was introduced by Edmund Randolph. Had a strong central government. The Legislature (place where laws are made) would have two houses. Representation in these houses would be determined by a states population. Larger states would therefore have more representatives than smaller states because of their larger populations. Representatives = Power in the Government.Representatives = Power in the Government.

The New Jersey Plan The plan was introduced by William Patterson. It called for a strong central government. oneThe Legislature would have one house. an equal sayEach state would have an equal amount of votes, thus having an equal say in the government. This plan was designed to limit the amount of power large states would have in the new governmentThis plan was designed to limit the amount of power large states would have in the new government.

The Great Compromise Roger Sherman will propose a compromise plan. The Legislative Branch would have two houses. (VP) Equality of allThe Senate: Each state would have two representatives, regardless of a state’s population. Equality of all. (NJ) Small states liked this house. The House of Representatives state’s populationThe House of Representatives: The number of representatives for each state is determined by the state’s population. (VP) Larger states liked this house. ** In order for any law to pass in the new government, it would have to pass both houses to have a chance at being a law. **** In order for any law to pass in the new government, it would have to pass both houses to have a chance at being a law. ** This required cooperation between the small and large states.This required cooperation between the small and large states.

The Three-Fifths Compromise The South wanted to count enslaved Africans as part of their states population. This would increase the number of representatives in the government and increase their power. The North States wanted to count the slaves for tax purposes not representation. The Compromise: Only 3-5ths of a state’s slave population would count when determining representation.

The United States Government The Constitution

The Federal Government A federal system is a division of power between the states and the federal government. (Washington D.C.) THIS IS FEDERALISM The Constitution is divided into Seven Articles addressing different aspects (parts) of our government and how it functions. (works) The Constitutional Convention created a Democracy. A democracy puts the power of the government in the hands (control) of the people.

Types of Democracy Direct Democracy & Representative Democracy Indirect Democracy (Representative Democracy)

Democracy everyDirect Democracy: This form of democracy requires the people to vote on every item that is involved in the government. ** This form works well for small groups.** Representative Democracy: The people elect people to make decisions for them on the everyday events involved with government.

Article I (One) The Legislative Branch Job: To Make Laws

The Legislative Branch Congress.The head of this branch is referred to as Congress. Congress is divided up into TWO Houses. The United States Senate and The United States House of Representatives.Their names are The United States Senate and The United States House of Representatives. law making body of our government.These two houses make up the law making body of our government.

The United States Senate 100 membersThere are a total of 100 members in the US Senate. 2 SenatorsEach state in the United States is given 2 Senators to represent their state in this house of Congress. Six year termEach Senator is elected to a Six year term of office (How long they have the job) before re-election is possible. 50 states 2 Senators 50 x 2 = 100

Requirements for the Senate 30 years old.A Senator must be at least 30 years old. 9 years.A US citizen for at least 9 years. They must live in the state they represent.They must live in the state they represent. Senators are Roy Blunt and Claire McCasKillMissouri’s Senators are Roy Blunt and Claire McCasKill

The United States House of Representatives 435 membersThere are a total of 435 members of the House of Representatives. The number of representatives each state gets is determined every 10 years by the US Census. (Population Count). The greater the population the more representatives a state gets. 2 yearsEach member of the House of Representatives has a term of office of 2 years (Time they have the job) before re-election is possible.

Requirements for the House of Representatives. 25 years old.A member of the House of Representatives must be at least 25 years old. at least 7 years.They must be a US citizen for at least 7 years. They must live in the state that they represent. MembersMissouri currently has 9 Members of the House of Representatives.

Article II (Two) The Executive Branch Job: To Enforce the Laws

The Executive Branch The President of the United States.The head of the Executive Branch is The President of the United States. 4 yearsThe President’s term in office is 4 years (How long he has the job) before re-election is possible. 2 termsA President can only be elected to 2 terms in office. (22 nd Amendment) The maximum amount of years you can be President is 10 years. If a President dies or is unable to perform his duties the Vice- President takes over his duties.

Requirements for President 35 years old.You must be at least 35 years old. at least 14 years.You must be a resident of the US for at least 14 years. You must be a natural born citizen.You must be a natural born citizen. Joe Biden

Article III (Three) Judicial Branch Job: To determine if Laws are Constitutional

The Judicial Branch The Supreme Court.The Head of the Judicial Branch is The Supreme Court. There are 9 members on the Supreme Court. no requirementsThere are no requirements for a Supreme Court Justice. LIFE.Their term of office is LIFE.

Using the Diagram on page 184 on Checks and Balance answer the following question. Where are the places in the process of how a bill becomes a law that the executive and judicial branches could block a bill from becoming a law or removing a law? Second, how could the legislative branch try to get around these attempts?

Amendments To amend means to Change. There are 27 amendments to the Constitution. To change the Constitution, 2/3rds of both houses (Senate & House of Rep.) have to vote in favor of a proposed change, then 3/4 th of all the state legislatures have to for the change.

The Bill of Rights The Bill of Rights are the first Ten Amendments to the Constitution. These amendments were designed to protect individual’s liberties.

The First Amendment Congress is to protect the freedom of Religion, Press, Speech, Assembly and Petition.

2 nd Amendment The right to bear arms (The right to own a firearm “Gun”)

The Rights of the Accused Amendments 4,5 & 6 Amendment 4 protects citizens from unlawful searches and seizures. Authorities need a search warrant (permission) to search someone’s property. Amendment 5 states that the government can not punish anyone without due process of the law. Due Process means that the law must be applied fairly to an individual. Double Jeopardy is when an individual cannot be tried again for the same crime. Amendment 6 guarantees a speedy public trial.

The Civil War Amendments 13,14,15 (XIII, XIV, XV) The 13 th Amendment was the abolishment of slavery. The 14 th Amendment was the Rights of Citizens. The 15 th Amendment was the Right to Vote.

Amendments The 19 th (XIX) Amendment gave woman the right to vote. (1919) The 26 th (XXVI) Amendment gave 18 year olds the right to vote.