The Constitution

The Constitution 2013 U.S. History

Timeline • 2nd Continental Congress meets: Declaration of Independence is signed • Yorktown: British are defeated and American Revolution ends • Constitutional Convention begins in Philadelphia, PA • George Washington is elected 1st President of the U.S.

1777: Articles of Confederation The Articles created a loose association of states. • States retain sovereignty • No chief executive office • Congress consists of 1 representative per state

Articles of Confederation One accomplishment was the passage of a law establishing a process for admitting new states into the Union: The Northwest Ordinanceestablished procedures for admitting new states once territories reached a certain population.

Articles of Confederation Founders considered the lack of a national executive and judiciary a strength because they feared a strong central government. However, the Articles had many serious shortcomings.

1787: Constitutional Convention • The convention opened in 1787 to revise the Articles of Confederation. • Leaders realized that a new document should be written and that compromise would be necessary.

Constitutional Convention • Great Compromise: delegates settled the issue of state representation in Congress. It set up a bicameral legislature. • The powers of the national government were limited.

Constitutional Convention • Large states wanted representation based on the amount of population. • Small-state delegates demanded that all states be equally represented in both houses.

Constitutional Convention Three-Fifths Compromise: Southern states wanted to include slaves in the population count. This compromise resolved the conflict over counting slaves for purposes of taxation and representation.

Federalists vs. Antifederalists • Major controversy was over the issue of ratification on the new Constitution. • The Federalist Papers was written in support of ratification. • Federalism deals with division of power between the national and state governments.

Federalists vs. Antifederalists • Antifederalists were worried that states would lose power in the new government. • Federalists argued that the Constitution should be ratified because it had features that prevented the abuse of government powers.

Federalists vs. Antifederalists Federalist Alexander Hamilton assured the antifederalists that states will enjoy important powers under the Constitution. Three separate branches of government prevented any one branch from gaining too much power.

Federalists vs. Antifederalists Federalist James Madison composed the first drafts of the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights and earned the nickname "Father of the Constitution." He later became the 4th President of the United States.

U.S. Constitution: Checks & Balances The Constitution provides for checks and balances to prevent any one branch of government from becoming too powerful. Ex: The Senate approves the President’s nomination to the Supreme Court.

U.S. Constitution: Checks & Balances Checks & balances is used today: “The nation deserves and I will select a Supreme Court Justice that Americans can be proud of. The nation deserves a dignified process of confirmation in the U.S. Senate, characterized by fair treatment, a fair hearing and a fair vote.” –President George W. Bush, 2005

U.S. Constitution: Separation of Powers • Three separate branches of government prevented any one branch from gaining too much power. • Powers divided into branches: Legislative, Executive, and Judicial

U.S. Constitution and DOI The Constitution addressed grievances outlined in the Declaration of Independence: it provides that all taxes must be approved by Congress.

U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights • The Constitution is a living document. As the nation’s needs change, revisions to the Constitution are required. • The 1st ten amendments guaranteeing individual protections were addressed with the Bill of Rights.

Bill of Rights • 4th Amendment: guarantees freedom from unreasonable searches • 6th Amendment: guarantees right of trial by jury • 10th Amendment: outlines concept of limited government

Quiz: Test Your Knowledge!

Test Your Knowledge! What was the significance of the Northwest Ordinance? • It prevented the extension of slavery into the Louisiana Territory • It established procedures for the admission of territories into the Union • It established a loose confederation of newly independent states

Test Your Knowledge! Which of the following was the result of the Great Compromise? • Supreme Court • Electoral college • Amendment Process • Bicameral Legislature

Test Your Knowledge! Between 1787 and 1789, a major controversy between the Federalists and Antifederalists focused primarily on ______. • The issue of ratification of the Constitution • Division of power among different levels of government • Wisdom of creating a two-house legislature • Expansion of slavery into the territories

Test Your Knowledge! Why is the year 1787 significant to U.S. History? • Articles of Confederation were repealed • U.S. Constitution was written • Poor Richard’s Almanack was first published • Declaration of Independence was signed

Test Your Knowledge! Thomas Jefferson demanded _____ when he said, “All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent.” • Trial by jury • Right to bear arms • Freedom of religion • Freedom of speech

Test Your Knowledge! What is the title of the following list? • States retain sovereignty • No chief executive office • Congress consists of 1 representative per state • Declaration of Independence • Federalist Papers • Articles of Confederation • Antifederalist writings

Test Your Knowledge! What historic document was written in support of ratification of the U.S. Constitution? • Magna Carta • The Federalist Papers • Mayflower Compact • Declaration of Independence

Test Your Knowledge! What is the purpose of checks-and-balances system in the U.S. Constitution? • To expand the President’s treaty-making powers • To divide power between the federal and state governments • To prevent any one branch of the government from becoming too powerful

Test Your Knowledge! One accomplishment under the Articles of Confederation was the passage of a law establishing __________. • A central banking system • A process for admitting new states into the Union • The President’s right to putdown rebellions • The ability of Congress to tax the states effectively.

Test Your Knowledge! What was the key argument used by Federalists for ratification of the U.S. Constitution? • It prohibited the power of the federal government to wage war. • It provided for construction of a new capital in the South. • It had features that prevented the abuse of government powers.

Test Your Knowledge! Which question at the Constitutional Convention was resolved by the “Great Compromise?” • What formula should be used for Congressional representation? • Who should control commerce and trade? • How should the President be elected?

Test Your Knowledge! The principle of federalism deals with the division of power between the ________. • President and Congress • National and state governments • Three branches of government • Senate and House of Representatives

Test Your Knowledge! Why did the framers of the Constitution create three separate branches of the national government? • To insure the legislative branch was bicameral • To make sure all laws were approved by the Supreme Court • To prevent any one branch of government from gaining too much power

Test Your Knowledge! Why did some founders consider the lack of a national executive to be a strength of the Articles of Confederation? • They feared a strong central government • They were willing to risk tyranny for an effective national government • They feared the threat of a foreign invasion. • They desired to copy the British monarchy.

Test Your Knowledge! The “Three-fifths Compromise” was included in the U.S. Constitution in order to resolve a conflict over the ___________. • Number of votes needed to approve a treaty in the Senate. • Counting of enslaved persons for purposes of taxation and representation. • Reimbursement of plantation owners for runaway slaves.

The Constitution