1. LEARNING ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS
CIVICS STANDARD TWO (b): Students will understand the principles and content of major American state papers such as the Declaration of Independence; United States Constitution (including the Bill of Rights);
and the Federalist Papers.
LEARNING ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS
How are the principles of the major American state
papers guaranteeing liberty to contemporary
Americans?
(2) On what principles does the American political system
rest?
(3) How have the American people attempted to achieve
and uphold the principles found in the major American
state papers?

2. NEW NATION ( )

3. I. Articles of Confederation
A. First American Constitution
Loose alliance of 13 independent states.
Congress Could: declare war, appoint military officers, coin money, and be responsible for foreign affairs.
Congress Could Not: regulate trade or have the power to tax.

4. B. Problems
1. After the American Revolution
fighting and disagreement between
states over land
owed millions of dollars to
individuals and foreign nations
(war debt)
Britain refused to withdraw its
troops from the Ohio River Valley
Spain closed its ports in
New Orleans to American shipping

7. II. Constitutional Convention
A. May 25th, 1787 – September 17th, 1787
1. Purpose:
to revise the Articles of
Confederation ; ultimately wrote
a new constitution
55 delegates – Benjamin Franklin,
George Washington, James Madison,
Alexander Hamilton
James Madison is considered the
“Father of the Constitution”
9 out of 13 states had to agree
before the Constitution could
become law

8. B. Virginia Plan vs. New Jersey Plan
1. Similarities
three branches of government:
(1) legislative
(2) executive
(3) judicial
2. Differences
Virginia Plan – representation
based upon population; favored
by the large states
New Jersey Plan – equal
representation for each state;
favored by the small states

9. 3. Great Compromise
three branches of government
House of Representatives –
based upon state population
Senate – equal representation
from each state

10. C. Compromises/Agreements
1. Three-Fifths Compromise
agreed that three-fifths of the
slaves in any state would be
counted towards the overall
population of that state
2. slave trade
Congress Could Not:
regulate trade between
states and foreign countries
(2) outlaw slave trade for at
least 20 years

11. III. Federalists vs. Antifederalists
A. Federalists
1. supporters of the Constitution
favored a strong national
government
2. Federalists Papers
purpose was to explain and
defend the Constitution
written by James Madison,
Alexander Hamilton, and
John Jay

12. PATRICK HENRY B. Antifederalists 1. opposed the Constitution
did not want the national
government to have too much
control
PATRICK HENRY

13. C. Bill of Rights
1. compromise between the two sides
prevents the government from
taking natural rights away from
citizens

14. BILL OF RIGHTS I freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly
II right to bear arms and form a militia
III no quartering of soldiers in your home
IV no unreasonable searches and seizures
V right to due process, no self-incrimination
VI right to be represented by a lawyer
VII right to jury trial in civil cases
VIII no unfair punishment, bail, fines
IX have rights not listed in the Constitution
X powers not listed belong to states or people

16. D. Ratification
1. Delaware
first state to ratify the
Constitution on December 7th, 1787
2. Rhode Island
last state (of the original 13) to
ratify the Constitution on
May 29th, 1790