1. Warm-Up
What governing document was signed by the Pilgrims before landing at Plymouth?
Explain three beliefs of the Quakers.
Which region of the colonies was impacted the most by the Intolerable Acts?
What was Thomas Paine trying to convince the colonists to do in Common Sense?
Who wrote the Virginia Plan for the Constitution?

2. Articles of Confederation
Weak central government
Changing government law needs an unanimous vote.
Can’t regulate trade or currency.
Led to a economy weak
Governs the growing western territory
Land Ordinance of 1785
Northwest Ordinance of 1787

3. Articles of Confederation
Page 137
Eight groups
Each group will make a poster that contains eight cartoons. Each cartoon will represent a problem of the A of C. There are eight bullet points in the chart that represent these problems, make a cartoon for each.
You have 30 minutes to complete this assignment

4. Land Ordinance of 1785
Established how land in the west would be surveyed.
This was land won during the American Revolution.

5. Northwest Ordinance of 1787
This ordinance broke the land into different territories and determined how they would become new states.
Congress appointed a governor and judges.
Territory would write a constitution and elect a government after 5,000 people lived there.
Once 60,000 people lived in a territory it could apply for statehood. Congress would approve.

6. Shays’s Rebellion - 1787 Led by Daniel Shays Farmers in debt
Many are war veterans
They could lose their farms
Led a rebellion of 1,200 to take the arsenal at Springfield but failed.
Shows need for stronger government.
G. Washington – “What a triumph for our enemies, to find out that we are incapable of governing ourselves.”

7. Warm-Up
What was the name of the first government in the United States?
Describe two weaknesses of the original government of the United States.
Explain the Land Ordinance of 1785.
Explain the Northwest Ordinance of 1787.

8. Constitutional Convention, 1787
Took place in Philadelphia
James Madison, VA - Father of the Constitution
Wrote the Virginia Plan

9. Two Different Plans Virginia Plan = “Large State Plan”
Bicameral legislature, based on population
Benefits large states.
New Jersey Plan = “Small State Plan”
Each state gets one vote.
Benefits small states.

10. The Compromise “The Great Compromise” – Roger Sherman
Combines the two plans (VA and NJ)
Two part Congress - House and Senate

11. Slavery
Some Southern states threaten not to join the Union if slavery was outlawed.
3/5 Compromise: A slave counts as 3/5 of a person
Used for taxes and representation
Slave trade can be banned 20 years after ratification.

12. The Ratification Debate
Federalists
Anti-Federalists
For Ratification
James Madison, George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay
Strong central government, promote economic improvement
Checks and Balances keep it from taking away peoples’ rights.
Against Ratification
George Mason, Patrick Henry, Thomas Jefferson
A strong central government is dangerous, it weakens and threatens state power
Threatens individual rights

13. The Federalist
James Madison
John Jay
Alexander Hamilton

14. The Federalist Papers Hamilton, Madison, Jay Federalist Paper #10
Warned against factions.
Groups who have views that would take away others rights.
Federalist Paper #51
Checks and Balances.
Separation of Powers

15. Warm-Up Who wrote the Federalist Papers?
What were the two groups who debated ratifying the Constitution?
What are checks and balances?
Define the Virginia Plan.
Explain the Great and 3/5ths Compromise.

16. Why the Bill of Rights?
Many opposed to ratification were afraid of losing individual rights
Demanded a Bill of Rights to protect them
Final compromise of the convention

17. Bill of Rights Written by James Madison in 1789
1st Ten Amendments to the U.S. Constitution
Protected rights of individual citizens
Madison

18. Amendment I
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

19. Amendment II
A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

20. Amendment VIII
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

21. Virginia Declaration of Rights
Written by George Mason in 1776
First document to protect individual rights
Influenced Jefferson while writing the Declaration of Independence
Used as an example while writing the Bill of Rights

22. Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom
Written by Thomas Jefferson in 1779, adopted in 1786
Established freedom of religion
Government cannot establish an official church
Its ideas were used in the Bill of Rights

23. Primary Source Reading
Virginia Declaration of Rights
Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom

24. How does the new government work?
Three Branches
Legislative
Congress – the House of Representatives and the Senate
Executive
President
Judicial
Court System
Checks and Balances
Each branch has ways to prevent others from passing laws they do not agree with.

25. Examples of Checks and Balances
Presidential Veto.
Senate must confirm presidential appointments.
Supreme court and declare laws unconstitutional.