The united states constitution

The United StatesThe United States
ConstitutionConstitution
Chapters 5 and 6Chapters 5 and 6
GPS: SSUSH5GPS: SSUSH5

Composing the ConstitutionComposing the Constitution

The Articles of ConfederationThe Articles of Confederation
 After declaring independence, the 2After declaring independence, the 2ndnd
ContinentalContinental
Congress faced the challenge of establishing aCongress faced the challenge of establishing a
central government.central government.
 In 1777, delegates wrote theIn 1777, delegates wrote the Articles ofArticles of
Confederation,Confederation, America’s first constitution.America’s first constitution.
 AA constitutionconstitution is a plan of government or theis a plan of government or the
rules of a country.rules of a country.
 It est. a “firm league of friendship”It est. a “firm league of friendship”
(confederation) b/t the states and created a(confederation) b/t the states and created a
Congress with each state having one vote.Congress with each state having one vote.

The Articles of ConfederationThe Articles of Confederation
 Federalism: the sharing of power b/t the federalFederalism: the sharing of power b/t the federal
and state governments, forming the basis of U.S.and state governments, forming the basis of U.S.
governmentgovernment
 Powers NOT given to the federal gov’t werePowers NOT given to the federal gov’t were
retained by the states.retained by the states.
 Powers shared by the federal and statePowers shared by the federal and state
governments were called concurrent powers.governments were called concurrent powers.
 The articles did not create an office of chiefThe articles did not create an office of chief
executive, a system of federal courts, authorizeexecutive, a system of federal courts, authorize
Congress to raise an army or tax the states.Congress to raise an army or tax the states.
 Ratification was required by ALL 13 states andRatification was required by ALL 13 states and
was accomplished in 1781.was accomplished in 1781.

Weakness of The Articles ofWeakness of The Articles of
ConfederationConfederation
 The Articles of Confederation was not strongThe Articles of Confederation was not strong
enough to govern America which now extendedenough to govern America which now extended
to the Mississippi River.to the Mississippi River.
 America was in debt b/c of the Revolution andAmerica was in debt b/c of the Revolution and
the federal gov’t had no ability to resolve thethe federal gov’t had no ability to resolve the
financial issues.financial issues.
 The federal gov’t could ASK for $ from the states,The federal gov’t could ASK for $ from the states,
but had no power to tax.but had no power to tax.
 Also, the critical issue of slavery, which wasAlso, the critical issue of slavery, which was
abolished in the northern states, divided the newabolished in the northern states, divided the new
nation.nation.

Weakness of The Articles ofWeakness of The Articles of
ConfederationConfederation
 Times were tough for American farmers – manyTimes were tough for American farmers – many
were unable to sell their goods and pay heavywere unable to sell their goods and pay heavy
taxes levied by the states to pay for their wartaxes levied by the states to pay for their war
debts.debts.
 Many farmers ended up in jail and their landsMany farmers ended up in jail and their lands
were seized.were seized.
 Farmers viewed the actions of gov’t just as theyFarmers viewed the actions of gov’t just as they
viewed England before the Revolution – a formviewed England before the Revolution – a form
of tyranny.of tyranny.

Shays’ RebellionShays’ Rebellion
 In January 1787, Daniel Shays, along withIn January 1787, Daniel Shays, along with
1,000 other farmers, attempted to storm1,000 other farmers, attempted to storm
the federal arsenal in Springfield, Mass.the federal arsenal in Springfield, Mass.
 To some, the rebellion showed the gov’tTo some, the rebellion showed the gov’t
was too weak to rule the nation.was too weak to rule the nation.
 Others, like Thomas Jefferson, believed itOthers, like Thomas Jefferson, believed it
served to correct the ills of government.served to correct the ills of government.

Constitutional ConventionConstitutional Convention
 Alarmed by the events of Shays Rebellion,Alarmed by the events of Shays Rebellion,
delegates from each state met in Philadelphia indelegates from each state met in Philadelphia in
the summer of 1787 – this meeting was called thethe summer of 1787 – this meeting was called the
Constitutional Convention.Constitutional Convention.
 Over half of the delegates served in theOver half of the delegates served in the
Continental Congress and 1/3 of them fought inContinental Congress and 1/3 of them fought in
the Revolution.the Revolution.
 James Madison is known as the “Father of theJames Madison is known as the “Father of the
Constitution” because he strongly influenced theConstitution” because he strongly influenced the
shape of the Constitution.shape of the Constitution.
 George Washington was elected president of theGeorge Washington was elected president of the
Constitutional Convention.Constitutional Convention.

The United States ConstitutionThe United States Constitution
 Many delegates feared the establishment of aMany delegates feared the establishment of a
president and placing too much power in thepresident and placing too much power in the
hands of one individual.hands of one individual.
 TheThe Framers (the founders, or individuals whoseFramers (the founders, or individuals whose
ideas organized the U.S. gov’t and are found inideas organized the U.S. gov’t and are found in
the Constitution):the Constitution): debated two plans fordebated two plans for
improving the legislative branchimproving the legislative branch
– The Virginia Plan: proposed by Edmund RandolphThe Virginia Plan: proposed by Edmund Randolph
and favored by the majority of delegatesand favored by the majority of delegates
– The New Jersey Plan: proposed by William PatersonThe New Jersey Plan: proposed by William Paterson

 The Virginia PlanThe Virginia Plan
– Bicameral Legislature: one lower house elected by theBicameral Legislature: one lower house elected by the
people and one upper house whose delegates arepeople and one upper house whose delegates are
chosen by the lower house.chosen by the lower house.
– Representation in Congress based on states’Representation in Congress based on states’
populationpopulation
– Legislative branch makes the lawsLegislative branch makes the laws
– Chief executive (president) chosen by legislatureChief executive (president) chosen by legislature
– Establishment of a federal court systemEstablishment of a federal court system
– Power to veto (prevent becoming a law) state lawsPower to veto (prevent becoming a law) state laws

 The New Jersey PlanThe New Jersey Plan
– Unicameral legislature: Congress made up ofUnicameral legislature: Congress made up of
one house of delegatesone house of delegates
– Maintain the Articles of ConfederationMaintain the Articles of Confederation
– Equal representation of states in CongressEqual representation of states in Congress
– Gives Congress the power to tax and regulateGives Congress the power to tax and regulate
tradetrade
– Establish the laws of the U.S. as supreme overEstablish the laws of the U.S. as supreme over
the statesthe states

 The Constitution would be the supreme law of theThe Constitution would be the supreme law of the
United States.United States.
 The country would be aThe country would be a republic, governed byrepublic, governed by
representation of the people’s will.representation of the people’s will.
 The Framers est. a limited government in that it only hadThe Framers est. a limited government in that it only had
powers granted to it by the Constitution.powers granted to it by the Constitution.
 The powers were divided and balanced b/t the gov’t: theThe powers were divided and balanced b/t the gov’t: the
executive branch, legislative branch, and judicial branch.executive branch, legislative branch, and judicial branch.
 Each branch of government was given the ability to checkEach branch of government was given the ability to check
the power of the other two branches – checks andthe power of the other two branches – checks and
balances system.balances system.

 Three difficult problems arose:Three difficult problems arose:
– 1. Representation in Congress1. Representation in Congress
– 2. How slaves would be counted in determining a2. How slaves would be counted in determining a
state’s populationstate’s population
– 3. The slave trade3. The slave trade
 The problems were solved by “The GreatThe problems were solved by “The Great
Compromise”, proposed by Roger Sherman,Compromise”, proposed by Roger Sherman,
followed by the “Three-fifths Compromise”.followed by the “Three-fifths Compromise”.

 The Great CompromiseThe Great Compromise
– Bicameral legislatureBicameral legislature
– The House of Representatives: based on a state’s populationThe House of Representatives: based on a state’s population
– The Senate: each state equally represented by two membersThe Senate: each state equally represented by two members
 The Three-Fifths CompromiseThe Three-Fifths Compromise
– Three-fifths of the enslaved counted as part of the populationThree-fifths of the enslaved counted as part of the population
– Counting formula to be used for calculating taxation andCounting formula to be used for calculating taxation and
representationrepresentation
 The Slave TradeThe Slave Trade
– Congress agreed not to interfere with the slave trade for 20 yearsCongress agreed not to interfere with the slave trade for 20 years
– Congress could limit the slave trade after that timeCongress could limit the slave trade after that time

Federalists and Anti-FederalistsFederalists and Anti-Federalists
 Federalists: Alexander Hamilton and JamesFederalists: Alexander Hamilton and James
Madison; was a political party who supported aMadison; was a political party who supported a
strong central gov’t, built upon representation ofstrong central gov’t, built upon representation of
the people; started at the 1796 election.the people; started at the 1796 election.
 Anti-Federalists: Thomas Jefferson; opponents ofAnti-Federalists: Thomas Jefferson; opponents of
the Constitution; opposed the concept of a strongthe Constitution; opposed the concept of a strong
central government and supported strong state’scentral government and supported strong state’s
rights over federal power; wanted to protectrights over federal power; wanted to protect
people against the abuse by federal governmentpeople against the abuse by federal government

Bill of RightsBill of Rights
 Several states refused to ratify (approve) theSeveral states refused to ratify (approve) the
Constitution until a Bill of Rights was added.Constitution until a Bill of Rights was added.
 Bill of Rights: sponsored by James Madison inBill of Rights: sponsored by James Madison in
1789 and ratified in 1791; first ten amendments1789 and ratified in 1791; first ten amendments
to the Constitution, which guaranteed individualto the Constitution, which guaranteed individual
rights such as freedom of speech, freedom ofrights such as freedom of speech, freedom of
assembly, freedom of press, right to bear arms,assembly, freedom of press, right to bear arms,
right to trial by jury, and the right to petition theright to trial by jury, and the right to petition the
government.government.

The United States GovernmentThe United States Government
 George Washington was America’s first presidentGeorge Washington was America’s first president
and he est. a Cabinet, or set of advisors thatand he est. a Cabinet, or set of advisors that
shaped a working relationship b/t the executiveshaped a working relationship b/t the executive
and legislative branches.and legislative branches.
 The electoral college was created to limit theThe electoral college was created to limit the
people’s power to elect a President directly.people’s power to elect a President directly.
 The American Revolution sparked otherThe American Revolution sparked other
revolutions in France and Latin America but therevolutions in France and Latin America but the
U.S. did not want to intervene in the politicalU.S. did not want to intervene in the political
difficulties of other countries.difficulties of other countries.

The United States GovernmentThe United States Government
 When farmers in western Pennsylvania rose inWhen farmers in western Pennsylvania rose in
arms against the government over taxation,arms against the government over taxation,
known as the Whiskey Rebellion, Washingtonknown as the Whiskey Rebellion, Washington
showed the power of the federal government byshowed the power of the federal government by
sending troops to halt the armed protest.sending troops to halt the armed protest.
 The rebellion occurred in response to Hamilton’sThe rebellion occurred in response to Hamilton’s
debt plan and the tax on whiskey.debt plan and the tax on whiskey.
 By 1796, two political parties had emerged:By 1796, two political parties had emerged:
Federalists and Jeffersonian Republicans.Federalists and Jeffersonian Republicans.

Federalists and JeffersonianFederalists and Jeffersonian
RepublicansRepublicans
 The Federalists, led by Alexander Hamilton,The Federalists, led by Alexander Hamilton,
believed the Constitution granted the federalbelieved the Constitution granted the federal
government implied powers, or powers notgovernment implied powers, or powers not
specifically mentioned in the Constitution.specifically mentioned in the Constitution.
 Leaders such as Jefferson and MadisonLeaders such as Jefferson and Madison
considered themselves Republicans, individualsconsidered themselves Republicans, individuals
who believed in the strict interpretation of thewho believed in the strict interpretation of the
Constitution.Constitution.
 The emergence of political parties played a majorThe emergence of political parties played a major
role in the 1796 presidential election.role in the 1796 presidential election.

Federalists and JeffersonianFederalists and Jeffersonian
RepublicansRepublicans
 John Adams, a Federalist, received theJohn Adams, a Federalist, received the
most votes and was elected president inmost votes and was elected president in
1796.1796.
 Under the provisions of the Constitution,Under the provisions of the Constitution,
the individual receiving the second highestthe individual receiving the second highest
vote count became vice president.vote count became vice president.
 That fell to Thomas Jefferson, a person ofThat fell to Thomas Jefferson, a person of
very different political beliefs from Adams.very different political beliefs from Adams.

The united states constitution

Recommandé

Recommandé

Contenu connexe

Tendances

Tendances (20)

Similaire à The united states constitution

Similaire à The united states constitution (20)

Plus de phillipgrogers

Plus de phillipgrogers (20)

Dernier

Dernier (20)

The united states constitution