1. Constitution

2. Weaknesses in the Articles of Confederation convinced James Madison of Virginia and other leaders that the country needed a stronger national government and a new constitution. Others did not want a stronger government. Patrick Henry of Virginia was among those who wanted to keep the Articles of Confederation as they were. Henry argued that Americans had fought the British because they did not want a powerful government ruling their lives. In May 1787, delegates from 12 states assembled in a convention, or important meeting, at the Pennsylvania State House in Philadelphia. They chose George Washington to be president of the Constitutional Convention, as this meeting later was known. When the Constitutional Convention began, the delegates agreed to keep their discussions secret. They felt that talking in private would allow them to speak freely and make good decisions. Windows in the State House were covered, and guards stood at the doors. They decided to meet to fix the Articles of Confederation, but they eventually wrote a whole new Constitution! How was James Madison’s view different than Patrick Henry’s view? Who was elected President of the Constitutional Convention? What did they do to the Articles of Confederation?

5. They are going to write a whole new Constitution What are they going to change???????

6. What should we fix and how?

7. The five weaknesses No power to tax No power to regulate trade No executive No judicial Each state gets one vote in Congress State governments have all power No common currency

8. Question #1 How much power should be given to the new federal, or national, government and how much power should be given to states government?

9. They create a Federal System National and state government SHARE the power would be the answer!!

10. Constitution would be the supreme law- no questions asked

11. Constitution creates our American republic!! Republic- people choose representatives to run the government!!

13. Question #2 In this federal government, how should large and small states be represented in the new government??? (think about how important representation was in the American Revolution and in the articles of confederation)

14. Virginia Plan vs. New Jersey Plan Virginia Plan – Congress would have two houses – Each house would be based on the states population (more people in your state, more representatives) – Large states like VA like it New Jersey Plan – One house in Congress – Each state gets the same amount of representatives (all states have equal representation) – Small states like this

15. The Great Compromise

16. The Great Compromise is the Answer!! A delegate from Connecticut, Roger Sherman, proposed a two-house legislature, consisting of a Senate and a House of Representatives.

17. Congress – two houses Senate – The Senate would have an equal number (2)of representatives from each state. – Makes the small states happy!!!!. House of Representatives – The House of Representatives would include one representative for each 30,000 individuals in a state. – This made large population states happy

19. Question #3 How do we form the national government? Should their be more than just the legislative branch that the Articles of Confederation has? Should their be a king?

20. The Answer is Separation of Powers!!!

21. Legislative Branch Headed by Congress, which includes the House of Representatives and the Senate. The main task of these two bodies is to make the laws. What are its powers? – passing laws – originating spending bills (House) – impeaching officials (Senate) – approving treaties (Senate). – Raises an army and navy – declares wars – coins and prints money

22. Congress

23. Judicial Branch Headed by the Supreme Court. Its powers include: – interpreting the Constitution – reviewing laws – deciding cases involving states' rights. – Sees that laws are carried out fairly

24. Supreme Court Equal Justice Under Law

25. Executive Branch Headed by the president. – carries out federal laws and recommends new ones – directs national defense and foreign policy – directing government – commanding the Armed Forces – dealing with international powers – acting as chief law enforcement officer – Vetoing (getting rid of) laws.

26. President

27. To make sure one does not get more powerful than the rest--- checks and balances

28. The Preamble SchoolHouse Rock

29. Preamble We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

31. Confederation to Constitution Weaknesses in the Articles of Confederation led to the effort to draft a new constitution.

32. The Constitutional Convention – State delegates met in Philadelphia and decided not to revise the Articles of Confederation but to write a new constitution. – George Washington was elected president of the Constitutional Convention. – Delegates debated over how much power should be given to the new national government and how large and small states should be represented in the new government. – The structure of the new national government included three separate branches of government: – Legislative – Congress – Executive- President – Judicial – Supreme Court – The Great Compromise decided how many votes each state would have in the Senate (2) and the House of Representatives (by population). – The Constitution was signed at the end of the convention.

33. Constitution Day- Sept. 17, 1787

34. Ratification of the Constitution A minimum of nine of the thirteen states had to vote in favor of the Constitution before it could become law

35. Why is this important? The development of the Constitution of the United States was significant to the foundation of the American republic. The Constitution of the United States of America established a federal system of government based on power being shared between the national and state governments.

36. But was everyone for it?

37. George Mason - - I do not agree with this constitution, it does not protect individual rights– WE NEED A BILL OF RIGHTS!!

38. Bill of Rights stations

39. The Bill of Rights Based on the Virginia Declaration of Rights (George Mason) and the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom (Thomas Jefferson) These first ten amendments to the Constitution provide a written guarantee of individual rights (e.g., freedom of speech, freedom of religion).

40. Amendments- changes/ additions to the Constitution