1. Lecture # 2
The Constitution
Standard

2. Standard
Understand the history of the Constitution after 1787 with emphasis on federal versus state authority and growing democratization
Essential Question: Describe the process of the creation of the Constitution.

3. Virginia
Massachusetts
New York Was New Amsterdam
Maryland
Rhode Island
Connecticut
Delaware Was New Sweden
New Hampshire
North Carolina
South Carolina
New Jersey
Pennsylvania
Georgia
That’s the 13 Original Colonies

4. The Articles of Confederation 1781-1788
Our 1st govt. = extremely weak
We feared an absolutist (monarch/dictator)
Wanted people to maintain in power
It was a really terrible government, but it was OUR terrible government. Open the blue book to page A28.
CSS11.1.2

6. Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation
9 of 13 votes to pass a law
13 out of 13 to amend.
Representatives were frequently absent.
Could not tax or raise armies.
No executive or judicial branches.
Own trading policies-limited trade

7. 13 Different Constitutions
Most had strong governors w/veto power
Property required for voting
Some had universal white male suffrage
Most had bills of rights
Many had a continuation of state-established religions while others disestablished religion

8. Shays’ Rebellion, 1786 Daniel Shays = Farmer
Lost His Farm
Armed uprising in Massachusetts
made many realize that the government is too weak
After the uprising states agreed to meet in Philadelphia, PA.
There could be no stronger evidence of the want of energy in our governments than these disorders. -- George Washington

9. The Constitutional Convention, 1787
Virginia Plan
James Madison
two-house legislature w/membership based on each state’s population
New Jersey Plan
Small States
single-house congress in which each state had an equal vote

10. The Constitutional Convention, 1787
Great Compromise
Roger Sherman suggested a two-house legislature.
Upper house ~ equal votes
Lower house ~ based on pop.
Three-Fifths Compromise
S. states wanted to include slaves in pop.
Count them but only as three-fifths of a person

12. Ratification of the Constitution, 1789
9 of 13 states had to ratify (accept) the Con. for it to be law
Federalists wanted the states to vote for the Con.
James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, George Washington, Ben Franklin
Shared power state gov. and the federal gov.
Wrote “The Federalist Papers”~ they won
Anti-Federalists wanted the states to vote against it.
They demanded a guarantee of basic rights called the Bill of Rights.
John Hancock, Sam Adams, Patrick Henry
Wanted a weak national gov. & more state power
fundamental liberties
Amendments 1–10 (Bill of Rights)
and held parades to drum up support for their side. sharing Wanted a strong pres. & more national power than state power

13. What’s in the Constitution?
Federalism
Separation of Powers
Separation of Church and State

14. To Ratify Or Not To Ratify?
“I review…the subject…and…the dangers…in this new plan of government, and compare…my poor abilities to secure our rights, it will take much more time to traverse the objectionable parts of it…The change is dangerous…and the experiment ought to be made..”
Patrick Henry
Opposes the Ratification
“The establishment of a Constitution…by the…consent of a whole people, is a prodigy, to the completion of which I look forward…I dread…the consequences of new attempts, because I know that powerful individuals,…are enemies to a general national government in every possible shape.”
Alexander Hamilton
The Federalist Papers

15. US Constitution Worksheet