Formation of the Republic The U.S. Constitution

Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation 1. Congress had no direct power over citizens. 2. Congress had no power to tax. 3. No executive branch to carry out policy 4. Each state different currency X

The Constitutional Convention - Convened to create a stronger central government. Issues: Powers/Structure of gov. Representation Sovereignty

Competing Proposals Virginia Plan - Strong Central government - THree branches (Legislative, executive, judicial) New Jersey Plan - 1 Branch -equal representation - Supreme Court chosen by President.

Connecticut Compromise The hall of the House of Representatives The Senate building Bicameral Legislature House of Representative: representation would be based on population Senate: Each state would have two senators

Three-fifths Compromise Demographics worry Southern states. - 1/2 pop. of South were slaves - Norths pop much bigger - South wants to count slaves Compromise Slaves would each count as 3/5 of a person which plays into taxation and representation.

The Struggle for Ratification Continental Congress sends constitution to be reviewed by states. Two views emerge: Federalists and Anti- Federalists

Federalists Who were the Federalists? Who were the Federalists? Central government essential Believed the Constitution addressed all the shortcomings of the Articles Provisions in place to check government’s power Anti-Federalists Who were the Anti-Federalists? Central government had too much power The “distant” government would neglect their needs The Constitution favored the wealthy and commercial classes No protection of individual liberties /

The States Ratify StateDelawarePennsylvania New Jersey GeorgiaConnecticutMassachusettsMaryland South Carolina New Hampshire Virginia New York North Carolina Rhode Island Date December 7, 1787 December 12, 1787 December 18, 1787 January 2, 1788 January 9, 1788 February 6, 1788 April 28, 1788 May 23, 1788 June 21, 1788 June 25, 1788 July 26, 1788 November 21, 1789 May 29, 1790

Bill of Rights added two years later in 1791

The Six Basic Principles Popular Sovereignty Limited Government Separation of Powers Checks and Balances Judicial Review Federalism

Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists Q’s 1. Summarize the main arguments the Federalists made in support of ratification of the Constitution. 2. Summarize the main arguments the Anti- Federalists made in opposition to the ratification of the Constitution. 3. In your opinion, what side, the Federalists or Anti- Federalists, present more convincing arguments about whether or not the country ratify the new Constitution? Explain.

Creation of a Bill of Rights Initially, the Constitution had no bill of rights Briefly mentioned during the federal convention but rejected During the ratification conventions, it became clear a bill of rights was desired Federalists agreed to include a bill of rights Bill of Rights drafted and approved in the first Congress in 1789 Approved by the people through the amendment process in 1791