1. Creating the Constitution
US Government

2. Constitution Definition Sets the broad rules of the game.
A nation’s basic law
creates political institutions
assigns or divides powers in government
provides certain guarantees to citizens.
Sets the broad rules of the game.

3. The Origins of the Constitution
The Road to Revolution
Colonists didn’t like the way they were treated post-French & Indian War
First Continental Congress (1774): nothing accomplished
Second Continental Congress (1775)
Olive Branch Petition
Declaring Independence: listed the colonists grievances against the British and rights of man.

4. A Declaration
tBVg

5. The Origins of the Constitution
The English Heritage: The Power of Ideas
John Locke’s influence
Natural rights
Consent of the governed
Limited Government
The “Conservative” Revolution
Restored rights the colonists felt they had lost
Not a major change of lifestyles

6. The Government That Failed
The Articles of Confederation
The first document to govern the US
Congress had few powers
States could engage in foreign trade

7. The Government That Failed
Economic Turmoil
States had different currencies
States had laws that favored debtors
Shays’ Rebellion

8. The Government That Failed
The Aborted Annapolis Meeting
An attempt to discuss changes to the Articles of Confederation.
Attended by only 12 delegates from 5 states.
Called for a meeting in May 1787 to further discuss changes.

9. Making a Constitution: The Philadelphia Convention
Gentlemen in Philadelphia
55 men from 12 of the 13 states
Mostly wealthy planters & merchants
Most were college graduates with some political experience
Many were coastal residents from the larger cities, not the rural areas

10. Key Players
James Madison (Author of the VA Plan; Father of the Constitution)
Alexander Hamilton (pushed for a stronger central govt; authored the Federalist Papers)

11. Debate & Compromise at the Constitutional Convention

12. Issue 1: Representation
VA Plan
NJ Plan
By Madison
3 Branch Govt
Bicameral Legislature
Rep based on population in both houses
1 executive
By Patterson
3 Branch Govt
Unicameral legislature
Rep based on equality
Multiple executives

13. Issue 1 Resolved Connecticut (aka Great Compromise) 3 branch govt
Bicameral legislature
1 House based on population (House of Reps)
1 House based on equality (Senate); state legislatures choose Senators
1 Executive

14. Issue 2: Slave Representation
South
North
Yes, count slaves as people!
No, slaves do not have any rights, so Southerners shouldn’t get to count them!

15. Issue 2 Resolved
Three-Fifths Compromise: slaves will count as 3/5 of a person when counting the population, but the slave owners will pay taxes on all of their slaves

16. Issue 3: Political Equality
Who should be granted suffrage?

17. Issue 3 Resolved Dodge the issue… Let the states decide
White, landowning, men
Framers feared common man

18. Issue 4: Who should elect the President?
the People
Congress

19. Issue 4 Resolved
Decided on Electors – the Electoral College System

20. The Agenda in Philadelphia

21. Creating the Constitution
Part II: Ratification

22. The Agenda in Philadelphia
Structure of the new government
Madisonian Model adopted
Republic
Majority Control (with minority factions)
Separation of Powers (3 branches)
Checks and Balances
Federal System

23. Ratification Took three years
In the Constitution, 9 of 13 states had to sign

24. Federalists vs Anti-Federalists?

25. Ratifying the Constitution
Federalist Papers
A collection of 85 articles written in NY newspapers by Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison under the name “Publius” to defend the Constitution.
Considered the most important work of political philosophy and pragmatic government ever written in the US

26. Bill of Rights Bill of Rights
The first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution, drafted in response to some of the Anti-Federalist concerns about the lack of basic liberties.

27. Ratification