1. Creating the Constitution
Chapter 5

2. Constitutional Convention
Chapter 5

3. Warm Up

4. No executive branch to enforce laws
Difficult to amend/change the Articles because a unanimous vote was needed
It was difficult to pass laws because 9 of 13 states approval was needed.
No executive branch to enforce laws
No judicial branch to interpret laws
Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation
No means to regulate trade with foreign countries.
No common currency
Congress lacked the power to collect taxes.

5. Constitutional Convention
Meet & Discuss
Constitutional Convention
WHEN/WHERE/WHO?
WHY?
Sept 1787
Congress met for Constitutional Convention
Articles of Confederation were not working
A stronger central government was needed
Lack of congressional power of Articles of Confederation & Shays’ Rebellion led to decision to create a Constitution
Delegates agree & disagreed on issues
Wanted national gov’t
Protection from abuse of power
Did not agree about number of representatives
Did not agree about amount of gov’t power

6. The Virginia Plan Side A: The Virginia Plan (James Madison) Demands:
Govt w/ 3 branches: Judicial, Legislative, Executive
2 House legislature
Representation determined by state pop.
Larger states would have more reps than smaller
VA: “I have a high population!”
Met in Philadelphia in delegates present
Decided to keep discussions secret to have freedom to change
All delegates wanted completely new plan for govt
James Madison suggested strong national gov’t
3 branches of govt
2 house legislature= bicameral
House of Rep= based on population

7. New Jersey Plan Side B: The New Jersey Plan Demands:
3 Branches of Govt
1 House Legislature w/ each state getting 1 vote (Equalized power, but should it be equal?)
States like NJ, DE, MD favored this plan

8. Great Compromise Also called the Connecticut Plan
2 House Legislature: House & Senate
Senate: Each state would have equal reps
House: based on population
BICAMERAL
2 houses

9. Sharing Power
Delegates argued about how nat’l & state gov’t would share power
National = certain powers States= other powers
Major issue= whether or not to keep slave trade
Also argued about trade of goods
Northern & Southern states disagree= state power

10. Three-Fifths Compromise
Counted each slave as three- fifths of a person when state population was counted
Counted for Congress vote, but not able to vote themselves
Would increase voting power in House of Reps
Used for tax purposes too
Larger slave population than owner population necessary

11. Slave Trade Compromise
Northern States
No more slaves brought into country, only able to use current slaves & descendants
Southern States
Congress should not have power to interfere in slave trade=economic foundation of South
Congress wont interfere until 1808

12. Summary On what issues did the delegates agree? Disagree? Main Idea?
The delegates to the Constitutional Convention debated different options for government power. After much debate, they created the US Constitution.

13. Struggle to Ratify

14. Warm Up
“What qualifications should a person have if they are in a position to create a new country and new government?”
Write prompt & 1 paragraph response in Warm Up section of binder

15. Executive & Judicial Branches
Allowed for separation of powers
President= Executive
Supreme Court= Judicial
Delegates disagreed about election of President
People= not competent to choose President
Decided on direct election (people vote)of Senate, & House
Electoral College= choose President
Signed September 17, delegates signed Constitution

16. Debate!
To go into effect & become law, the Constitution had to be ratified= approved by at least 9 of the 13 states
States that approved= part of new nation
Constitutional Convention spurred a storm of debate

17. Be smart & get your face printed on money
Federalists
Supported Constitution
Supported strong, national(federal) government
Protect people with military
Keep order better than states
Control trade
Pay debts & manage economy worldwide
Be smart & get your face printed on money

18. Anti-Federalists Against/opposed to the Constitution
BILL OF RIGHTS !!!
Against/opposed to the Constitution
Against strong national gov’t
Felt Congress would be too powerful & states would lose power and liberty would be taken away
Wanted Bill of Rights

19. Feds vs. Anti-Feds Anti-Federalists Federalists
Strict & Loose, depended on situation
National bank was wrong, put power in hands of few wealthy
National debt was 2nd to people’s rights
Laissez-faire/”hands off” approach to economic market
Weak central govt= strong state govts
Strict interpretation of Constitution
National bank to control money
War debt MUST be paid!
Economy controlled by rich/educated
British govt to be admired
Strong central govt= weak state govts

20. Federalists The Federalist Papers James Madison Alexander Hamilton
John Jay
Wrote news articles to explain & promote Constitution
Articles collected in the Federalist Papers
Pointed out America’s weaknesses & potential problems
James Madison= “…it is to protect Liberty…”
Federalists

21. Ratification Federalists convinced America to support Constitution
Federalists decided to add a bill of rights
By 1790, all 13 states had ratified & a new gov’t was created

22. Sum it up Why were Anti-Federalists against the Constitution?
Why was it important that all 13 states ratify?
Main Idea:
The struggle to ratify the Constitution put the pro- national gov’t Federalists against the Anti-Federalists, who feared the power of a nat’l gov’t.

23. Supreme Law of the Land

24. Law of the Land Key Terms Federalism Checks & Balances
Concurrent powers
Reserved powers
Objectives
Learn principles/goals of government outline in Preamble
Explore the 7 Articles of the Constitution
Analyze principles of limited government

25. Preamble What is it? Establishes the “WHY?” of the document
What is it’s purpose?
To reflect the desires of the framers of the Constitution to improve their government and ensure justice

26. Structure Article 1- Legislative Branch Article 2- Executive Branch
Article 3- Judicial Branch
Article 4- State Govt
Article 5- Amendment process
Article 6- National Supremacy
Articles 7- Ratification Process
Amendments- 1-27
Bill of Rights= First 10

27. Goals of Government Preamble lists 6 goals/principles of US govt
To form a more perfect Union
To Establish Justice
To Insure Domestic Tranquility
To provide for the Common Defense
To promote the General Welfare
To secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our posterity
Also referred to as the 6 principles of the Constitution

28. Constitution Principles
To form a more perfect Union
Unite 13 separate states under strong natl govt
To establish Justice
Use fair ways to settle disagreements between people, states, and governments
To Insure Domestic Tranquility
Set up peaceful society in which people are protected from unlawful acts

29. Constitution Principles
To provide for the Common Defense
Military Protection
To Promote General Welfare
Create conditions that will help all Americans
To Secure the Blessings of Liberty
Make sure that our freedoms and those of future Americans are protected

30. Articles of the Constitution
Plan for government is organized in 7 parts:
Article I: The Legislative Branch
Congress makes laws, & is divided into 2 houses the House of Rep. & the Senate
Article II: The Executive Branch
President: Carries out laws
Article III: The Judicial Branch
Supreme Court: settles arguments btwn states; makes final decisions over other courts

31. Articles (Cont) Article IV: The States
Each state must honor the laws of other states
Article V: Amending Constitution
Amendments can be made; need 3/4ths majority votes
Article VI: Supremacy of Constitution
No state law may disobey Constitution
Article VII: Ratification
Process of approving Constitution

32. Limited Government
Gov’t power limited through federalism, separation of powers, and checks & balances
Federalism: the division of power between the national & state gov’ts
Some belong to national, some belong to state
Concurrent powers: shared by both (Fed & State)
Reserved powers: powers given to neither (Fed or State)
Checks & Balances: gives each branch of gov’t the power to limit the other two

33. Summary
Where in the Constitution are the 3 branches of government described?
What three principles limit the power of gov’t?
Main Idea: The Constitution establishes federal gov’t, protects rights of citizens, and provides general rules for gov’t to follow.