Essential Question What are the key ideas in the U.S. Constitution? What are the key ideas in the U.S. Constitution?

The Confederation

Articles of Confederation Need for a central government Need for a central government Adopted in November 1777 Adopted in November 1777

Articles of Confederation Weak central government Weak central government States did not want to give up the independence they had gained from fighting the British States did not want to give up the independence they had gained from fighting the British

Rights of Congress Could: Declare war Declare war Raise armies Raise armies Sign treaties Sign treaties Could Not: Tax citizens Tax citizens Regulate trade Regulate trade

Problems with Trade States began taxing goods from other states because Congress had no power to control trade States began taxing goods from other states because Congress had no power to control trade

Problems with Diplomacy Britain demanded war debts paid, refused to leave Britain demanded war debts paid, refused to leave Spain disputed border between GA and FL, closed New Orleans Spain disputed border between GA and FL, closed New Orleans

Economic Crisis States issued paper money – became worthless due to inflation States issued paper money – became worthless due to inflation Federal government had no money Federal government had no money

Shays’s Rebellion Massachusetts, 1786 Massachusetts, 1786 Increasing taxes hurt western farmers Increasing taxes hurt western farmers Rebellion by the farmers Rebellion by the farmers

Shays’s Rebellion Marched on Boston, tried to seize weapons Marched on Boston, tried to seize weapons State militia defended the arsenal, killing five farmers State militia defended the arsenal, killing five farmers

Aftermath After Shays’s rebellion, Americans began arguing for a stronger central government After Shays’s rebellion, Americans began arguing for a stronger central government

A New Constitution

Nationalists George Washington, Alexander Hamilton. Benjamin Franklin George Washington, Alexander Hamilton. Benjamin Franklin Supported the need for a stronger central government Supported the need for a stronger central government

James Madison Researched government ideas Researched government ideas Father of the Constitution Father of the Constitution

Constitutional Convention Philadelphia Philadelphia May 1787 May 1787 Rhode Island did not attend Rhode Island did not attend

Constitutional Convention 55 Delegates 55 Delegates George Washington = presiding officer George Washington = presiding officer

Virginia Plan Presented by Edmund Randolph, governor of Virginia Presented by Edmund Randolph, governor of Virginia

Virginia Plan Bicameral (two houses) Bicameral (two houses) Number of representatives based upon population Number of representatives based upon population

New Jersey Plan Offered by William Paterson Offered by William Paterson Unicameral (one house) Unicameral (one house) Each state has equal representation Each state has equal representation

Comparison of Two Plans

Connecticut (Great) Compromise Roger Sherman Roger Sherman Two houses in Congress Two houses in Congress House of Representatives – based on population House of Representatives – based on population Senate – equal representation Senate – equal representation

Three-Fifths Compromise Division between North and South Division between North and South How to count the slave population? How to count the slave population?

Ratification Approved by Congress in Sept Approved by Congress in Sept Needed nine out of thirteen states to approve for it to take effect Needed nine out of thirteen states to approve for it to take effect

Ratification

Great Debate Each state elected a convention to vote on the Constitution Each state elected a convention to vote on the Constitution Two groups formed – those who supported it and those who rejected it Two groups formed – those who supported it and those who rejected it

Federalists Supporters of the Constitution Supporters of the Constitution The central government should have more power than the states The central government should have more power than the states

Anti-Federalists Opponents to the Constitution Opponents to the Constitution States should have more power than federal government States should have more power than federal government

The Federalist Main document supporting the Constitution Main document supporting the Constitution 85 essays written by James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay 85 essays written by James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay

Ratification Dec to Jan – first states to ratify the Constitution: Dec to Jan – first states to ratify the Constitution: - Delaware - Pennsylvania - New Jersey - Georgia - Connecticut

Ratification Massachusetts Massachusetts Voted yes after a promise was made to attach a Bill of Rights to the Constitution Voted yes after a promise was made to attach a Bill of Rights to the Constitution

Ratification By June 1788: By June 1788: - Maryland - South Carolina - New Hampshire

Ratification By July 1788 (after receiving a promise for a Bill of Rights): By July 1788 (after receiving a promise for a Bill of Rights): - Virginia - New York

Ratification With the nine needed votes, the new government was set to begin on March 4, 1789 With the nine needed votes, the new government was set to begin on March 4, 1789

Ratification After the Constitution was ratified and the new government begun After the Constitution was ratified and the new government begun Rhode Island and North Carolina ratified Rhode Island and North Carolina ratified

U.S. Government Popular sovereignty – rule by the people Popular sovereignty – rule by the people Representative system of government in which elected officials represent the voice of the people Representative system of government in which elected officials represent the voice of the people

U.S. Government Federalism – power divided between the national government and the states Federalism – power divided between the national government and the states

Separation of Powers

Checks and Balances Purpose? Purpose? To prevent any one of the three branches from becoming too powerful To prevent any one of the three branches from becoming too powerful Textbook – page 181 Textbook – page 181

ExecutiveLegislative Judicial

President Veto power Veto power Appoint judges Appoint judges Commander in chief Commander in chief

Congress Override veto Override veto Approve presidential appointments Approve presidential appointments Impeach the president Impeach the president

Federal Courts Judges serve for life Judges serve for life Hear trials regarding laws Hear trials regarding laws

Amendments How to make a change to the Constitution? How to make a change to the Constitution? Two-step process Two-step process

Amendments Proposed by a two- thirds vote of both houses Proposed by a two- thirds vote of both houses Ratified by three- fourths vote by states Ratified by three- fourths vote by states