1. The Constitution

2. Bell Ringer
Look over the primary source at the top of page 35 and answer the Analyzing Visuals question that correspond with the documents.

3. Objectives
Analyze what ideas influenced the writing of the state constitutions.
Discuss how the U.S. government worked under the Articles of Confederation.
Identify the compromise delegates made in drafting the Constitution, and explain how the document was ratified.

4. State Constitutions – What influenced the creation of the constitutions?
Wanted to have their “own” government
Includes the following:
Bicameral Legislature
Essential Rights
Territorial governor by Congress
Separation of church and state
Change of rights seen among all people

5. Weak National Government – Why didn’t it work?
Congress works together to create a framework for central gov’t. (1781)
Articles of Confederation – single body, Congress
Avoid tyranny through representation
Balance of power went toward the STATES!

6. Successes under the Articles
Land Ordinance (1785)
Orderly survey and sale
Northwest Ordinance (1787)
Settle, govern land west of Apps.
Granted freedom of religion and freedom from slavery

7. Problems under the Articles
No money
$51 million in debt, facing a recession
Could not tax people
Trade problems
Different currencies
Shay’s Rebellion shows weakness in government to solve problems
Could not enforce laws
No court system or military system

8. WELCOME TO THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION!

9. Developing the Constitution
Students will take part in a Constitution Convention Simulation that will take place the entire class period. See the folder in the file holder for directions.

10. LAST CALL FOR THE CONVENTION…
Who was the last state to ratify the constitution?

11. The United States Constitution

12. Envelope #1: Delegates Philadelphia, PA - secretive
James Madison is the father of the Constitution
Pennsylvania had the most delegates attend, Rhode Island did not attend (independence)
39 of the 55 delegates signed the Constitution
Common job = lawyer, importance?

13. Envelope #2: Principles of the Constitution
Popular Sovereignty – elected officials speak for the people
Limited Government – limited influence
Separation of Powers – power between the branches
Checks and Balances – no one more powerful than the other
Judicial Review – follow the Constitution
Federalism – power divided between federal and state

14. Envelope #3: Plans for a New Government
Virginia Plan = three branch government, bicameral legislature, rep. based on pop.** New Jersey Plan = unicameral government, equal representation*** Great Compromise = three branch government, bicameral legislature**, equal representation*** Why were slaves necessary? 3/5 Compromise fair?

15. Envelope #4 Federalists want a strong central gov’t
Anti-Federalists want a Bill of Rights
Why was this necessary for the colonists?
Option to propose, ratify, amend
Why were the Federalists so willing to give in to the Anti-Federalists demands?

16. Envelope #5 Change of power seen, going to the Federal Gov’t
Congress vs. Executive Branch (president)
Delegates according to population (House) and every state is given two (Senate)
Ratification starts in 1787
Pillars that are the foundation to the Union (45)
Rhode Island is the last b/c they wanted to maintain independence

17. Introduction to the Constitution - Preamble - Articles 1-3
Separation of Powers
Introduction to the Constitution
- Preamble
- Articles 1-3

18. Legislative Branch Purpose: create laws
House of Representatives and the Senate
House = population
Senate = 2 per state
Qualifications:
House – 25, U.S. citizen for 7 yrs., resident of state
Senate – 30, U.S. citizen for 9 yrs., resident of state
Term:
House – 2 years
Senate – 6 years
Powers
Remove the president from office
Declare war, provide/maintain navy
Coin and regulate money

19. Executive Branch A.K.A. = President & Cabinet
Purpose = enforce, carry out laws
Qualifications:
Must be 35 y.o., natural born citizen, U.S. resident for 14 years
Powers:
The head of this branch is commander-in-chief of the armed forces.
Can make treaties with other nations
Appoint judges
Represents America over seas
Term: four year term.
May not serve more than ten years.

20. Judicial Branch Purpose – interpret law Qualifications : NONE!
Term: Life, good behavior/impeached, dies in office,
Facts:
The Supreme Court is the highest court in this branch.
1 Chief Justice, 8 associate justices

21. Three Branches Activity
As part of this activity you will be given 16 different facts about the three branches of the government.
You will need to construct a tree out of brown butcher block paper and place the facts on leaves that you will place on the respective branches.
You will need to look at pages