1. The U.S. Constitution
Review the following presentation to help clarify your understanding of the Constitution

2. The Critical Period
1781 – 1789
The Articles of Confederation had established a loose relationship between the states
There was no strong central authority to settle disputes
States were reluctant to surrender power to a strong national government

3. The Articles of Confederation
Adopted in 1781
Which branch is responsible for enforcing laws and judging law breakers?
How would trade between states be conducted?
What if a state decided to act independently of the others?

4. Shay’s Rebellion
1786
The Massachusetts legislature voted the heaviest direct tax in its’ history
They insisted in payment by gold or silver which were very scarce
Daniel Shay led a rebellion against these taxes.
The National government was unable to help Massachusetts.
The Nationalist’s used Shay’s rebellion as an example of civil unrest
They argued that a strong national government was needed to settle such disputes

5. The Second Continental Congress
Convened in May of 1787 to correct the problems of the Articles of Confederation
Shay’s rebellion demonstrated the need for major change
A debate ensued
Liberty or Order, How could we keep both?

6. Who was Right? Federalists called for a strong Central Government
They claimed that liberty unchecked meant chaos
Organization and the Common good were paramount
They included lawyers and businessmen
Anti-Federalists feared a strong Central Government
They claimed that a strong Central Government would take away their liberties
Individual rights were paramount, and should be protected from a powerful government
They included farmers, laborers, and some politicians

7. The Three Main Compromises
The Great Compromise
The 3/5 Compromise
The Slavery Compromise

8. The Great Compromise Answered the question of Representation
Set up a Bicameral Legislature
In The House of Representatives send representatives proportionate to their population
In The Senate each state sends two representatives
As you can see, the House favors the states with the larger population, the Senate favors those with a smaller population

9. The 3/5 Compromise
Southerners wanted to count slaves towards representation in Congress
Northerners realized that this would allow the south to dominate Congress
Northerners argued that slaves were not free and therefore could not be counted
A compromise was reached: every 5 slaves would be counted as the equivalent of three white men for the purpose of representation

10. The Slavery Compromise
The South could control Congress simply by importing more slaves
A limit on the importation of Slaves was agreed upon
Slaves could be imported until 1808
Each imported slave would have a $10.00 tax levied upon the transaction

11. The Father of the Constitution
James Madison came to be known as the Father of The Constitution
A wealthy Virginian, he was among 55 delegates present at Convention
Well educated, articulate, and he was the most active member of the Convention

12. The Basic Principles of the Constitution

13. Separation of Powers
Powers are divided between 3 branches of government
A Legislative Branch makes laws
An Executive Branch enacts the laws
A Judicial Branch interprets the laws

15. Checks and Balances No one branch is allowed to become too powerful
Each Branch can check the power of another branch
This helps to prevent and unequal distribution of power
Study the next slide to see how the branches interact

17. So What is Federalism?

18. The Electoral college
Each state receives a number of Electoral votes equal to its’ total number of representatives.

19. Amending the Constitution Article V
Proposing Amendments
2/3 of each house of Congress
Convention called by 2/3 of the state legislatures
Ratifying Amendments
¾ of the state legislatures
¾ of special conventions held in each state

20. What do we know? Exactly what is Federalism?
Why was the Great Compromise necessary?
What are the specific duties of the 3 branches?
What is the fewest number of electors any state can have?
Why do you think there are so few amendments?
How many amendments are there?