1. Chapter 2 – Section 3

2. LEQ
How did compromise make ratification of the new United States Constitution possible?

3. British Principles
Because of their British heritage, many principles of government were taken from England

4. Magna Carta
Guaranteed that people could not be arrested, put in prison, or be deported without a fair trial
Citizens would be judged by English law only
Protected the rights of Parliament against the monarch

5. English Bill of Rights Signed in 1689 Included the right to petition
Receive a fair punishment if found guilty of a crime

6. Parliament
The lawmaking body of Great Britain

7. Bicameral Consisting of two parts or houses House of Lords
Appointed by the monarch

8. House of Commons Elected by the people
Each house can check the work of the other

9. Head of British government
Prime Minister
From the party holding the most seats in the House of Commons
Can be replaced if his party loses a majority

10. Meetings of the Delegates
Wanted to discuss ideas freely
Public disclosure would make it harder to change their mind
Hold meetings in secret
James Madison “Father of the Constitution” kept a journal of proceedings

11. Federalism
Governmental powers are divided between the federal and state governments
Different from a unitary system – national government holds all the power

12. Compromise
An agreement in which each side gives up parts of its demands in order to reach a solution to a problem

13. Great Compromise
Large states wanted representation based on population
Small states wanted representation to be equal
Senate – representation would be equal

14. Strong National Government
Congress given the power to:
Coin and print money
Raise armed forces
Regulate trade amongst the states and foreign nations
Set taxes
Create a Supreme Court

15. Completed Constitution
September 1787
No delegate was satisfied with every part
Signed by 39 of the 42 members present

16. Ratification Formal approval Had to be approved by 9 of the 13 states
Some strongly supported, some were strongly against

17. Federalists
Supporters of the Constitution who wanted a strong national government
Was needed to keep the country united
Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison published the Federalist papers

18. Anti Federalists
Those who opposed the Constitution and the federal system of government
Strong government defeated the purpose of the Revolutionary War
Would protect neither the states’ power nor the peoples’ freedoms

19. When was it ratified?
Had to promise a Bill of Rights would be added if ratified
June 1788 the ninth state ratified the Constitution
First – Delaware
April 30, 1789 – George Washington was sworn in as the first President