1. Chapter 2 THE CONSTITUTION

2. Learning Objectives 1) Point out some of the influences on the American political tradition in the colonial years 2) Explain why the American colonies rebelled against Great Britain. 3) Describe the structure of governments established by the Articles of Confederation & some of the strengths & weaknesses of the Articles.

3. Learning Objectives cont’d 4) List some of the major compromises made by the delegates at the Constitutional Convention, & discuss the Federalist & Anti-Federalist positions w/ respect to ratifying the Constitution. 5) Summarize the Constitution’s major principles of government & how the Constitution can be amended.

4. The Beginnings of American Government The First British Settlements –1 st permanent English settlement in North America was Jamestown, in present day Virginia. Jamestown was established in 1607. Mayflower Compact: –A document drawn up by pilgrim leaders in 1620 on the Mayflower ship –Document stated that laws were to be made for the general good of the people.

5. The Beginnings of American Government Bill of Rights: –1 st ten Amendments to the U.S. Constitution. ie. Freedoms of speech, press, religion etc. –Citizens enjoy these freedoms –They are not to be infringed upon by government. By 1732, all 13 colonies had been established, each with its own political documents & a constitution.

6. The Thirteen Colonies Figure 2-1 pg. 24

7. The Rebellion of the Colonists “Taxation w/o Representation” –Sugar Act of 1764 Imposed tax on all imported sugar into Colonies –Stamp Act of 1765 Imposed 1 st direct tax on Colonists Further Taxes & The Coercive Act leads to The Continental Congress

8. The Rebellion of the Colonists First Continental Congress: –1 st gathering of delegates –12 out of 13 colonies attended –Held in 1774, Philadelphia, Penn. Second Continental Congress: –Congress of the colonies; met in 1775 to assume powers of a central government & to establish an army.

9. Breaking the Ties: Independence 1 st step: Independence From Britain The Declaration of Independence –Significance of the Declaration of Independence One of the world’s most famous documents John Locke (natural rights), had great influence upon Thomas Jefferson

10. From Colonies to States When fear of strong central government present, legislature becomes all-powerful. –Unicameral (one-chamber) legislatures were unchecked by any executive authority. Pennsylvania & Georgia Executive branch extremely weak in all 13 colonies –Would be the case until U.S. Constitution

11. The Confederation of States Confederation: –A league of independent states that are united only for the purpose of achieving common goals. Defeat Britain (13 United States of America) Defeat the Union (Confederacy during Civil War)

12. The Confederation of States Articles of Confederation: –The nation’s 1 st national constitution Signed by all 13 colonies March 1, 1781 –Established a national form of government after American Revolution. –Articles provided for a confederate form of government –Central government had few powers.

13. American Government Under the Articles of Confederation Figure 2-2 pg. 30

14. Powers of the Central Government Under the Articles of Confederation Figure 2-3 pg. 30

15. Powers that the Central Government Lacked Under the Articles of Confederation Figure 2-4 pg. 31

16. Time of Crisis Revolutionary War Ends: –October 18, 1781 Treaty of Paris: Signed 1783 –Confirmed the colonies’ independence from Britain The United States: –Not quite “United”

17. Time of Crisis Shay’s Rebellion: –Rebellion of angry farmers in western Massachusetts in 1786 –Led by former Revolutionary War captain Daniel Shays –This rebellion and others of its nature in New England states emphasized the need for a true national government.

18. Annapolis Convention Annapolis Convention (1786) –Handful of leaders meet at Annapolis to: Discuss problems with Articles of Confederation Suggest solutions –Aborted Annapolis Meeting Delegates decide that larger meeting and a broader proposal were needed to organize the states.

19. Constitutional Convention Convention of delegates from the states 1787 Philadelphia For purpose of amending the Articles of Confederation Delegates wrote a new constitution (the U.S. Constitution) Established a federal form of government Replaced confederate system of government under the Articles of Confederation.

20. Drafting & Ratifying the Constitution Virginia Plan: –Bicameral legislature Lower house to be chosen by the people Smaller upper house chosen by the elected members of the lower house # of Reps. in proportion to state’s population Legislature could void any state laws –A national executive branch, elected by the legislature. –A national court system, created by the legislature.

21. Drafting & Ratifying the Constitution New Jersey Plan: –Congress would be able to regulate trade & impose taxes. –Each state would have only one vote. –Acts of Congress would be the supreme law of the land. –An executive office of more than one person would be elected by Congress. –The executive office would appoint a national supreme court.

22. Drafting & Ratifying the Constitution Great Compromise (or Connecticut Compromise): Bicameral Legislature –A lower house (the House of Representatives), # of representatives apportioned by population –An upper house (the Senate), Two members from each state Members elected by the state legislatures Great Compromise resolved –Large states v. Small states controversy

23. Drafting & Ratifying the Constitution Three-Fifths Compromise: –Compromise reached during the Constitutional Convention –Agreed that three-fifths of all slaves were to be counted for purposes of representation in House of Representatives –Congress permitted to stop the importing of slaves after 1808 Northern states v. Southern states controversy

24. Drafting & Ratifying the Constitution Banning Export Taxes: –South agreed to let Congress have the power to regulate Interstate Commerce: Trade that involves more than one state –As well as commerce w/ other nations; –In exchange, the Constitution guaranteed that no export taxes would ever be imposed on products exported by the states.

25. Drafting & Ratifying the Constitution Final Draft is Approved! Debate over Ratification begins!  –Federalists v. Anti-Federalists Federalists: –Political group led by Alexander Hamilton & John Adams –Supported the adoption of the Constitution & –Creation of a federal form of government.

26. Drafting & Ratifying the Constitution Anti-Federalists: –Political group that opposed the adoption of the Constitution –Due to its centralist tendencies –& because it did not include a bill of rights.

27. Drafting & Ratifying the Constitution Federalist Papers: –Penned by Alexander Hamilton (Publius), John Jay & James Madison 85 essays in defense of the Constitution in less than one year Many critics feared of factions: –A group of persons forming a cohesive minority. Madison responds in Federalist Paper No. 10 Nation so large that no one faction would be able to gain control.

28. Drafting & Ratifying the Constitution The Anti-Federalist’s Response: –Constitution written by aristocrats –Would led the nation to aristocratic tyranny: The arbitrary or unrestrained exercise of power by an oppressive individual or government. –They demand a Bill of Rights!

29. Ratification June 21, 1788 Constitution is put into effect Summer of 1788 –With ratification by New York & Virginia –Document had gained its true power

30. The Constitution’s Major Principles Limited Government & Popular Sovereignty –Rule of Law: Basic principle of government Requires both those who govern & those who are governed To act in accordance with established law. –NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW!

31. The Constitution’s Major Principles The Principle of Federalism: –Federal System: Form of government Provides for a division of powers between a central government & several regional governments. In the U.S. division of powers between the national government & the 50 states is established by the Constitution.

32. The Constitution’s Major Principles The Principle of Federalism: –Commerce Clause: The clause in Article I, Section 8, of the Constitution Gives Congress the power to regulate interstate commerce (commerce involving more than one state).

33. The Constitution’s Major Principles Separation of Powers: –Madisonian Model: The model of government devised by James Madison Powers of the government are separated into three branches: –Executive –Legislative –Judicial

34. The Constitution’s Major Principles Separation of Powers: –The principle of dividing governmental powers –Among the three branches of government Executive Legislative Judicial

35. The Constitution’s Major Principles Checks & Balances: –A major principle of American government –Where each branch of government is given the means to check (to restrain or balance) the actions of the other branches.

36. The Constitution’s Major Principles Checks & Balances: –Veto Power: A Constitutional power Enables the chief executive (president or governor) to reject legislation & return it to the legislature with reasons for the rejection. Prevents or at least delays the bill from becoming law.

37. Checks & Balances Among the Branches of Government Figure 2-5 pg. 40

38. The Bill of Rights Table 2-2 Pg. 42

39. Amending the Constitution Two Methods for Proposal- pg. 44 Two Method for Ratification- pg. 44

40. The Process of Amending the Constitution Figure 2-6 pg. 44