Dividing Power Creating a Balance in the New National Government

The Convention is not finished… ◦They must establish a system for the national government. ◦National vs. State governments—  National Government is granted “enumerated powers” ◦ Control of foreign affairs ◦ Providing national defense ◦ Regulating trade ◦ Coining money

State Governments are granted “reserved powers” ◦ Providing/Supervising Education ◦ Marriage Laws ◦ Regulating trade within the state Similarities: ◦ Tax ◦ Borrow money ◦ Establish courts

◦They separate the national government into three branches:  Legislative- Make laws  Judicial- Hear cases  Executive- Carry out laws Distributes political authority Balance of power

System of checks and balances- ◦Prevents any one branch from dominating the other ◦Example:  President can veto acts of Congress  Congress can override a veto by two-thirds vote Voters choose president through the electoral college- ◦Each state chooses electors; the electors vote for a presidential candidate

Judicial Legislative Executive

The Constitution is sent to Congress for approval! Successful document- ◦Was thought not to last long ◦Our forefathers created a balanced, open- ended government for us to work with.

Ratification- official approval of the people of the U.S. to adopt the Constitution Newspapers printed the full text of the Constitution Shocked! So many changes!

Each state would hold a special convention ◦Voters would elect delegates ◦Delegates would choose to sign the Constitution Required 9 of 13 states’ approval

FEDERALISTS Supporters of the Constitution Division of powers and system of checks and balances will protect Americans from tyranny Support came from urban centers: ◦Merchants ◦Skilled workers ◦Laborers ◦Small states with weak governments George Washington, James Madison*, Alexander Hamilton & John Jay

“ANTIFEDERALISTS” Opposed having a strong central government Composes a long list of possible abuses of power by a strong central government Lack of protection for individual rights Support came from rural areas: ◦Large states with strong economies Patrick Henry, Sam Adams, Richard Henry Lee, & Thomas Jefferson

The Federalist Papers Debate over ratification 85 essays are published defending the Constitution in newspapers from Signed, Publius ◦Madison, Hamilton, John Jay

Letters from the Federal Farmer Written be Richard Henry Lee Most widely read antifederalist publication Rights of antifederalists should be protected! ◦Freedom of the press, religion ◦Against unreasonable search/seizure ◦Trial by jury