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Chapter 2 The Constitution
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Wanted: A government that…
Has enough power to do its job Doesn’t give anyone too much power Considers the needs of all states Lets people have a voice Protects individual rights
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ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION
In 1777, the Americans wrote their first plan for government in a document called the ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION
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The Articles of Confederation
A confederation is a _________ of individuals _______ together for a _________. group united purpose 4
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The Articles of Confederation
Each state was _________________ and had its own ________________. Each state would send _______________ to the “Congress of the Confederation.” The Congress was the only ____________ government. There was no ___________. In Congress, each state got _______ vote. independent government representatives central President one
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A Rocky Relationship Hey, this sounds great! Wait! Not so fast…
States get to keep their ______ and ____________ No _____________ telling the states what to do Congress had the power to create a _________ to ________all the states Congress had no way to __________ its _______! Congress had no power to collect _________ to pay for the military! The Articles could only be _________ if ______ the states agreed! power independence enforce laws government taxes military protect changed ALL
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Articles of Confederation
A New Idea! Articles of Confederation New Idea 1 Branch Legislative—makes laws 3 Branches
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VA v. NJ The Virginia Plan The New Jersey Plan
Legislative branch has ___ “chambers” Number of votes for each state depends on the state’s ___________ ________ states would have more power Drafted by James Madison 2 Legislative branch has ___ “chamber” Each state gets ___ vote ________ states would have more power 1 1 Smaller population Larger
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The Constitution Solution: The Great Compromise
Legislative: Makes laws Divide Congress Into Two Houses Senate House of Representatives Each state gets 2 votes. (similar to NJ plan) -Began with 26 members -Now has 100 The more people the state has, the more votes it gets! (Similar to VA plan) -Began with about 65 members N-ow has 435 members Executive: Carries out laws Judicial: Interprets laws
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Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists
-Supported Constitution -Against Bill of Rights (thought it was unnecessary) -John Adams, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, James Madison -Against Constitution unless a Bill of Rights was added -Favored states rights and the Articles of Confederation -Thomas Jefferson, George Mason, Patrick Henry
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Compromises Bill of Rights added to appease Anti-Federalists
Bill of Rights included: Freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly, and petition Right to bear arms Right against cruel and unusual punishment Prohibited unlawful search and seizure Right to a trial by jury States rights
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Slavery & the Constitution
No mention of slavery Slaves made up a ⅓ of the population in 5 of the 13 original states For purposes of seats in the House of Representatives, slaves counted as “three-fifths” of a free person Slaves who escaped to free states were not free Federal government could not ban slave trade
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Ms. Ottenberg’s Docket 9/5-9/6
Listen to podcasts & complete graphic organizers Work on project (if time) Coming up: Candidate Profile sheet & Issue Advocacy Sheet due 9/11-9/12
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