1. Origins of American Republic
Unit 1: Foundations of American Democracy

2. I. Sources of the Const.

3. II.Const. Convention
Background:
- DOI Rev. War  AOC and weak central gov’t
Thinking: Why do you think the framers started with such a weak gov’t? How could the AOC be potential problems?
- Annapolis Conv called to improve Articles
-Shay’s Rebellion 1786necessity for a stronger national gov’t

4. PTSD Syndrome…
Anyone know what PTSD is? Where do you see this most commonly?

5. What were they afraid of?...
Who was controlling and making all the policies for the colonies? This guy What did he represent for the colonists?... TYRANNY… this guy

6. Weaknesses of the AOC Weakness #1: Need 9 out of 13 votes to pass laws
Weakness #2: No Executive branch
Weakness #3: No National Court System
Weakness #4: To change the AOC need unanimous vote (All 13 states)
Weakness #5: No power to levy (collect) taxes
Weakness #6: No power to regulate (control) interstate (between States) commerce (business)
Weakness #7: No national currency (money)

7. Why a Republic?
A Republic is a form of government where citizens elect representatives that then carry out policy on behalf of its citizens
Reasons for this system
Large area of land/diverse populations/different states (former colonies)
Avoids tyranny of majority or central govt if you have representatives from different states

8. III. Delegates to Convention- Who were they? What were they like?
How did the background of these framers affect the design of the Const?

9. IV. The Participants… James Madison George Washington Thomas Jefferson
Benjamin Franklin
Alexander Hamilton

10. V. Charles Beard’s Econ Interpretation of Constitution (1913
The Constitution reflects the interests of the framers who wrote it.
A propertied class
Protection of property fundamental job
Rebuttals:
Most people owned prop
Poor people
Safeguards & Protections
How does Beard give us an interpretation different than what we may have seen before?

11. VI. Areas of agreement during Convention

12. VII. Areas of Disagreements
Issues During Convention
The Compromises
Representation among the states
Representation and taxation of slaves
Election of President
The Connecticut (GREAT) Compromise
3/5 Compromise
The Electoral College

13. Thinking: What purpose did these compromises serve?

14. VIII. Ratification Politics

15. Federalists Supporters: Property owners, creditors, merchants,
Their Perspective:
“Strong Central Govt”
Ratification W/O BOR
Leaders: Hamilton, Madison, Washington, Jay

16. Antifederalists
Supporters: small farmers, frontiersmen, debtors, shopkeepers
Their perspective:
“States’ Rights”
Wanted a BOR
Leaders: Jeff, Henry, Mason, Gerry

17. The Battle Begins… VS. Strong Central Govt States’ Rights
This struggle between the Federalist’s perspective and the Anti Federalist’s perspective…
Is the seed for the gauntlet that shapes American politics from that point forward…
Some argue…the real cause/effect of the Civil War

18. Essential Knowledge Statements
Describe 2 areas of compromises 
Explain how 1 view for ratification for Federalists is different than the Antifederalists