Articles of Confederation & the Constitution

The Constitution

By Mary Corrigan

Articles of Confederation

First constitution; confederal government

States held most of the power with a weak central government

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Weaknesses:

no federal taxes, no national military, no national trade alliances, no president, no common currency, one branch of government​; amendments must be approved by all 13 colonies

Shay's Rebellion showed how the national government was unable to control and enforce laws among the states

Multiple Choice

Which of the following weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation were corrected by creating the Executive Branch under the current Constitution?

• different currencies per state

• no national military

• no ability to negotiate national treaties

• no ability to collect taxes

Constitutional Convention

Delegates from 12 colonies meet to make new Constitution

Federal power: strong national government shares power with states

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Separation of Powers: power split across three branches

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Checks and Balances: each branch has the ability to limit the others​

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Amendments: proposed by 2/3 Congress, ratified by ​3/4 states

Some text here about the topic of discussion

Multiple Choice

Which of the following was not an outcome of the Constitutional Convention?

• The federal government was broken into three branches

• The US separated from England and became an independent country

• The branches were able to limit the power of the others

• An official amendment process was established

New Jersey Plan: 1 chamber, 1 vote per state

​Virginia Plan: 2 chambers, representation based on population​

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Congress: bicameral; Senate - 2 votes per state, House - population = representation

Great Compromise

Federalists: wanted strong central government, president; against Bill of Rights; Federalist Papers

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Anti-Feds: Against federal power, against president; demanded Bill of Rights​

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Feds/Anti-Feds

Disagreements

Constitution worked to find compromise between all groups and better represent the needs of the people

Multiple Choice

Which of the following was a shared concern among the disagreements between the Federalists and Anti-Federalists and the supporters of the New Jersey v. Virginia Plans?

• Both centered around the idea of who would lead the federal government

• Both centered around the way in which the legislative branch should be shaped

• Both sets of discussions centered around the distribution of power between the federal government and the states

• Both centered around the idea of giving the federal government legislative power

Parts of the Constitution

Preamble: introduction; self-government and 6 promises of government

Article I: Establishes Legislative Branch (Congress)

Article II: Establishes Executive Branch​ (President)

Article III: Establishes Judicial Branch (Supreme Court)

Article​ IV: Reserved Powers; how to admit new states

Article V: How to amend the Constitution

Article VI: Supremacy Clause

Article VII: How to ratify the Constitution​

Subject | Subject

The Constitution is the longest, continuest use constitution in the World

Multiple Choice

Which of the following parts of the Constitution contains the idea that the Constitution is the supreme law of the land?

• Preamble

• Article I

• Article II

• Article VI

Preamble

We the people - self government; popular sovereignty

In order to form a more perfect union - make our country better than under the Articles

Establish justice - create a fair court system of laws

Ensure domestic tranquility - keep peace at home

Provide for the common defense - national military and protection

Promote the General Welfare​ - ensure the security and wellbeing of citizens

Secure the blessings of liberty - freedom for ourselves and our children

Do ordain and establish - ​give this document power

Subject | Subject

Multiple Choice

Which part of the Preamble supports the idea of self-government?

• We the people...

• establish justice...

• ensure domestic tranquility...

• promote the general welfare...