1. Tuesday, 2/23: Guided Notes and Essential Questions
EQ: How did the U.S. Constitution create a stronger national government than the Articles of Confederation?
Tuesday, 2/23: Guided Notes and Essential Questions
Thursday, 2/25: Finish EQs and review responses
Monday, 2/29: start Regents Practice
Wednesday, 3/2: finish Regents Practice
Friday, 3/4: Unit 2 Assessment (Constitution)

2. PREAMBLE: Purpose of the Constitution
“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.”

3. GOALS OF CONSTITUTION Form a more perfect Union Establish justice
Insure domestic tranquility
Provide for the common defense
Promote general welfare
Guarantee liberty for ourselves + our posterity

4. Constitutional Convention - 1787
To correct the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation
Ready to frame a new government
Opposing views
Government with authority (Federalists) or
Protect individual rights (Anti-Federalists)

5. “Bundle of Compromises”
Issues
Large & small states
North & South
Strong national government versus states’ rights

6. Virginia Plan + N.J. Plan= Great Compromise
The Great Compromise
Virginia Plan + N.J. Plan= Great Compromise
determine representation in Congress
Bicameral legislature
SENATE = Equal representation
HOUSE = based State’s population
(census every 10 years)

7. The Three-Fifths Compromise
Slavery and power
Representation
Taxes

8. Ratify 9 out of 13 must approve Held conventions in each state
“The Great Debate”

9. The Great Debate
Alexander Hamilton
Thomas Jefferson

10. Flexibility Elastic Clause Amendment Process Judicial Interpretation
Congress can make all laws “necessary and proper”
Stretches to fit changing circumstances
example: minimum wage
Amendment Process
Changes
Both Congress and the states must approve
Judicial Interpretation
Courts review cases

11. The Constitution of the United States
Popular Sovereignty
Source of all power to govern is the people
Limited Government
Powers are defined
Legal limits
Separation of powers
Legislative, executive, judicial
Checks and Balances
Prevents too much power in any one branch

12. Three Branches of Government
Legislative Branch
Makes laws for the nation.
Executive Branch
Provides leadership and enforces laws.
Judicial Branch
Explains and interprets laws.

13. Check and Balances

14. ARTICLE 1: The Legislative Branch (makes laws)
Bicameral – Two houses
Senate
House of Representatives

15. ARTICLE II: The Executive Branch (enforces law)
Electing the president
Electoral college
Powers and duties

16. Electoral College

17. Debating the Electoral College System
Voters cast ballots for electors
Electors cast ballots for President + VP
if candidate wins majority of votes in a state he/she get all the electors
large states have more electors so candidates focus on these states
AGAINST
“winner-take-all”
Electoral vote versus popular vote
Electors not bound by law to vote for winning candidate
FOR
Amendment to Constitution
Small states would lose over-representation
Threat to two-party system

18. ARTICLE III: The Judicial Branch (interprets law)
Two court system – FEDERAL & STATE
National court system
Each state has its own
Federal – Judicial Review
Interpretation of the Constitution

19. Foreign Policy
“It is our true policy to steer clear of permanent alliances with any portion of the foreign world…”
- Washington’s Farewell Address,
September 17, 1796
Neutrality

20. Judicial Review
1803 Marbury v Madison established the right of Supreme Court to interpret laws passed by Congress
John Marshall- Chief Justice of Supreme Court (Federalist) who increased power of court

21. Unwritten Constitution
Traditions that are accepted but not always part of Constitution
Cabinet- group of advisors to President
Two-term Presidency- established by Washington only became part of Constitution after FDR
political parties- organized around common ideas these are not required by Constitution

22. LOBBY
Attempt to influence laws legislation

23. AMENDING THE CONSTITUTION
Process for making a change to the Constitution
Between only 27 amendments to Constitution

24. Bill of Rights
To protect individuals and states against too much government power (prevent tyranny)
Civil liberties protected by specific amendments
Antifederalist would not ratify the Constitution without specific protections from the government