1. The Constitutional Convention
"A More Perfect Union"

2. Declaration of Independence
Based on Locke’s concept that a government that does not protect it’s citizens has broken the social contract.
List of grievances against the British Crown.

3. Why do we Need the Constitutional Convention?
Articles of Confederation made the central government too weak.
Federal gov’t could not tax, or
Regulate trade
Amendments unanimous

4. Convention VIPs
George
Washington
James
Madison
Alexander
Hamilton
Benjamin
Franklin

5. Who's Yo Daddy?
James Madison wrote it (the mastermind if you will)…but Edmund Randolph proposed it

6. Does Anyone Have A Plan?
James Madison

7. Virginia Plan
Bi-cameral Congress

8. Representation based on population
Virginia Plan
Representation based on population

9. Who liked the Virginia plan better?
a. Big States
B. Small States

10. Does Anyone Have A Plan?
James Madison
William Patterson

11. New Jersey Plan
Uni-cameral Congress

12. Representation based on equality between the states
New Jersey Plan 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Representation based on equality between the states 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

13. Who liked the New Jersey plan better?
a. Big States
b. Small States

14. Virginia Plan New Jersey Plan
Number of houses in Legislature
2, bicameral
1, unicameral
Representation based on…
By each states’ population or by how much financial support a state gave the gov’t
Equal representation for each state
Representatives chosen by…
Elected by a popular vote in lower house, upper house chosen by members in lower house
Elected by state legislatures
Branches
Legislative, Executive, Judicial
Other
Gov’t could tax and regulate foreign and interstate commerce

15. Connecticut Compromise
Number of houses in Legislature
2, bicameral
Representation based on…
By each states’ population or by how much financial support a state gave the gov’t
Equal representation for each state
Representatives chosen by…
Elected by a popular vote in lower house, upper house chosen by members in lower house
Elected by state legislatures
Branches
Legislative, Executive, Judicial
Other
Gov’t could tax and regulate foreign and interstate commerce

16. Connecticut Compromise
Compromises
Connecticut Compromise
3/5ths Compromise

17. Principles of the Constitution
Popular Sovereignty (authority of the government comes from the people)
Limited Government
National government ≠ absolute authority
Government must follow the Rule of Law
Government must follow constitutional principles
American People: We would like to raise taxes…
HAH!
I don’t think so!
Wrong Again!
Not gonna happen!
Try again :P
Nope!
I’d like to see you try :P
You wanna rethink that, buddy?

18. Federalism Federalism (sharing)
Federal Powers: coin money, regulate trade, establish post offices, declare war, maintain an army
State Powers: qualifications for voting, conduct elections, create local gov’ts, maintain schools
Shared Powers: levying taxes, defining crime

19. The Constitution
"A Living Document"

20. 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.”
A list of the Purposes of Government
“General Welfare” means to help the people
Influenced by VA Declaration of Rights
Purpose of gov’t is to protect the people

21. What is the Constitution
Sets up the structure of the US Gov’t
Affirms our individual worth
Equality under the Law (in the Amendments)

22. Article I: Legislative Branch
Separation of Powers:
House of Representatives and Senate
Power to make laws
Collect taxes, regulate trade between countries and states, declare war, establish post offices, raise an army, print and coin money etc.
Checks and Balances:
Senate: approve Presidential appointments and treaties made by the President
Both: override a Presidential veto on a law
Both: impeach, or remove, a President, Vice President, or appointed official
Both: propose amendments to the Constitution

23. Article II: Executive Branch
Separation of Powers:
President, Vice President, Cabinet, other departments (i.e. EPA, Federal Reserve, etc.)
Power to enforce laws
Checks and Balances:
President: veto bills passed by Congress
President: call special Congressional sessions
President: recommend legislation

24. Article III: Judicial Branch
Separation of Powers:
National and State Courts
Supreme Court, District Court, Appeals Courts, Small Claims Court, Family Court, Regional Courts, etc.
Interpret Laws
Checks and Balances:
Judicial Review (NOT WRITTEN IN THE CONSTITUTION!)
Supreme Court may declare an act of Congress, or the President, unconstitutional

25. Article IV: Relations Among the States
Full Faith and Credit
Each state recognizes the laws, court decisions, and records of all other states
Extradition of individuals from one state to another
Federal protections of individual states

26. Article V Amending the Constitution
1. 2/3rds of Congress (both Houses) or State Legislatures approve.
2. Ratified by 3/4ths of the State Legislatures
3. There have been 27 Amendments.
PURPOSE: For the Constitution to accommodate change.
Anti-Federalist feared the Constitution was too strong of a central government.
Patrick Henry and George Mason
Passed the Bill of Rights to ease their fears (First 10)

27. Article VI: National Supremacy
Supremacy Clause:
All national laws supersede state laws
No state may pass a law that contradicts or impedes a federal law

28. Article VII: Ratification
Approval of the state to adopt the new government
9 of 13 state legislatures needed to approve the Constitution for it to go into affect
Federalists: James Madison, George Washington

29. Values and Principles in the Constitution
Key Examples:
Limited Government: 3 branches of government
Consent of the Governed: direct election of representatives
Equality under the Law: judicial court system
Rule of Law: constitution
Majority Rule: House of Representatives and the Senate
Guaranteed Rights and Freedoms: Bill of Rights