Chapter 8, Section 3

 The framers of the Constitution designed a republic- a government in which citizens rule themselves through elected representatives.

 The Magna Carta (1215)– citizens have certain rights, and no one is ‘above’ the law.  The English Bill of Rights (1689) – further limited the monarchy and protected the rights of citizens.

 The Virginia House of Burgesses (1619) – America’s 1 st representative government  Mayflower Compact (1620) – 1 st document of self-government in North America

 The Enlightenment – the belief that society can be improved through the use of science and reason.  John Locke – English Enlightenment thinker. In 1690, declared everyone had a right to life, liberty, and property. Declared that citizens have a right to rebel against a government/leader if their rights are violated.

 Montesquieu – French Enlightenment thinker. In 1748, stated government should be divided into 3 branches- legislative, executive, and judicial.  “Separation of Powers” – dividing a government into different branches, so no one branch becomes too powerful.

 a system of government in which power is shared between the central (or federal) government and the states. States- certain powers reserved for them. Shared Powers Nation- Certain powers reserved for central government.

Powers Delegated to the National Government Shared Powers (Concurrent) Powers Reserved to the States Regulate interstate/foreign tradeRegulate interstate/foreign trade Set standard weights/measuresSet standard weights/measures Create/maintain armed forcesCreate/maintain armed forces Copyright/patent lawsCopyright/patent laws Establish post officesEstablish post offices Establish foreign policyEstablish foreign policy Create federal courtsCreate federal courts Coin moneyCoin money Declare warDeclare war Admit new statesAdmit new states Provide for public welfareProvide for public welfare Administer criminal justiceAdminister criminal justice Charter banksCharter banks Raise taxesRaise taxes Borrow moneyBorrow money Create corporation lawsCreate corporation laws Regulate trade within stateRegulate trade within state Establish/maintain schoolsEstablish/maintain schools Establish local governmentsEstablish local governments Make laws about marriage and divorceMake laws about marriage and divorce Conduct electionsConduct elections Provide for public safetyProvide for public safety

 Americans began to debate the new Constitution for months.  The document had been widely distributed in newspapers and pamphlets across the country.  The framers suspected that people might be afraid the Constitution would take too much power from the states.

 Federalists- those who supported the Constitution.  Felt that the Articles of Confederation were too weak.  Wanted the national government to have more power.  Expressed their views through a series of essays known as The Federalist Papers. Authors were three well known politicians- James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, & John Jay. Called for ratification of the Constitution.  Appealed both to reason and emotion, described why people should support ratification.

 Believed the Constitution took too much power away from the states.  Did not guarantee rights for the people.  Feared the elected president might be declared king.  Feared Senate might become a powerful ruling class.  Antifederalists received support from rural areas.

 At least 9 of the 13 states had to ratify (approve) the Constitution before it could go into effect.  1787 & 1788 – each state held a convention to decide whether or not to ratify the Constitution.

 1. Delaware, December 7, 1787  2. Pennsylvania, December 12, 1787  3. New Jersey, December 18, 1787  4. Georgia, January 2, 1788  5. Connecticut, January 9, 1788  6. Massachusetts, February 6, 1788  7. Maryland, April 28, 1788  8. South Carolina, May 23, 1788  9. New Hampshire, June 21, 1788  Ratification was completed on June 21,  The Constitution was later ratified by Virginia (June 25, 1788); New York (July 26, 1788); North Carolina (November 21, 1789); Rhode Island (May 29, 1790); Vermont (January 10, 1791)

 Thomas Jefferson wanted to add a bill of rights- a formal summary of citizens’ rights and freedoms.  Antifederalists wanted written guarantees that the people would have: Freedom of speech. Freedom of the press. Freedom of religion. Right to a trial by jury. Right to bear arms.

 James Madison, submitted ten amendments to the first Congress in  Congress proposed that the ten amendments be placed at the end of the Constitution in a separate section.  Became known as the Bill of Rights.  Ratified, December 15, 1791