Constitution Day 2

Review the mini lessons and complete the questions that follow. ​

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​US Constitution Review

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​Articles of Confederation

​The first federal government order was the Articles of Confederation, it created a very loose alliance of the 13 independent states. It was official in 1783.

• The creators were influenced by Magna Carta, English Bill of Rights and followed models of self government from Mayflower Compact.

• Many citizens were loyal to their state government, they also feared another strong government (federal).  

• Under the Article of Confederation the US became a union of states with a weak central government.  This was created during the Revolutionary War. 

• It simply gave the States power and the federal government from gaining to much.

​Articles of Confederation- the first constitution of the United States.

​Strength & Weaknesses

No President, no national tax, no, no federal court and lack of a strong federal government. ​Power Resided to the states.

​Weaknesses

Congress had power to make war and peace, sign treaties; raise an army and navy; print money, and set up a postal system.

​Strength

​Shays' Rebellion

​Shays' Revolt leads to a change.

A farmer (Daniel Shays) led a rebellion with 1,200 farmers, because the state of Massachusetts threatened to take his farm because he was unable to pay their high taxes. He claimed that he should not be punished for a problem he did not create.

• States realize they need to make some changes to their confederate government.

• This lead to the Constitutional Convention of 1787 to revise the A.O.C.

​Shays' Rebellion-A revolt that proved how weak the Articles of Confederation was.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following DIRECTLY led to the Constitutional Convention of 1787?

• Treaty of Paris

• Shays' Rebellion

• Boston Massacre

• French and Indian War

Multiple Choice

A weakness of the Articles of Confederation was that MOST governmental power resided in the —

• state governments

• federal legislature

• judicial branch

Multiple Choice

They allowed too little power to rest in a federal government and no federal power to levy taxes to pay for the costs of a government.

The above summary describes which document?

• Federalist Papers

• Articles of Confederation

• Declaration of Independence

​Convention

At the Constitutional Convention, ​proposals were presented for new forms of Government.

Constitutional Convention- A meeting among the original 13 states (minus Rhode Island) in 1787 with the purpose of revising the Articles of Confederation, but instead would result in the U.S. Constitution.

Plan called for representation based on population.

3 branches of government​.

Benefits larger states. ​

Virginia Plan ​

​Plan called for equal representation in each state regardless of population.

Benefits smaller states. ​

​New Jersey Plan

Compromise where each slave counted as three-fifths of a person for tax and representation purposes

​Three-Fifth Compromise

Compromise between the New Jersey and Virginia Plan that gave the government a bicameral legislature; Senate and House of Representatives

​The Great Compromise

​TWO Compromises were made

Multiple Choice

At the Constitutional Convention, the Virginia Plan included a proposal for —

• a powerful executive

• a one-house legislature

• three separate branches of government

• thirteen states with separate governments

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Multiple Choice

Which of the following was the result of the Great Compromise?

• two house legislature

• the right to bear arms

• freedom of speech

• slavery

Multiple Choice

The Three-Fifths Compromise at the Constitutional Convention concerned which of the following issues?

• the establishment of upper and lower legislative bodies

• the manner in which bills and amendments would become law

• the portion of federal revenues that would come from large and small states

• the counting of slaves for purposes of determining representation and taxation

Multiple Choice

At the 1787 Constitutional Convention, one major disagreement concerned representation in the new national legislature.

Which terms complete the diagram for numerals I and II?

• I. by population, II. equal representation

• I. equal representation, II. by population

• I. by land area, II. by population

• I. by population, II. by land area

​As a result of the Constitutional Convention, the 7 Principles of Govt. were formed.

1. Federalism -A system of government where power is shared between the national government and the states. Example= US and TX sharing powers

2. Limited Government- The principle of government that requires all US citizens, including leaders, to follow the law.

   Example= No one is above the law.​

3. Individual Rights- Personal liberties and privileges guaranteed to US citizens; the Bill of Rights.

   Example= Protected by Bill of Rights. ​

4. Popular Sovereignty- A government in which the people rule. A system in which residents vote to decide an issue.

   Example= "We the People"

5. ​Republicanism- The belief that government should be based on consent of the people; people exercise their power by voting for political representatives.

   Example= Voting​

6. Check & Balances- The ability of each branch of government to exercise checks, or controls over the branches.

   Example= President veto a bill, Congress impeach a president, Supreme Court rule a law unconstitutional

7. Separation of Powers- The division of basic government roles into branches. (Legislative, Executive, Judicial)

   Example= Legislative makes laws, Executive carries out the laws, Judicial interprets the laws.

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​Checks and Balances

The Constitution of the United States created three separate

branches of government: the Legislative Branch (Congress), the

Executive Branch (President), and the Judicial Branch (Supreme Court). The Constitution has “checks and balances” to make sure that one branch does not become too powerful and allow each branch to keep the others in line.

​Separation of Powers

The powers of the government are balanced among the three

branches. Each branch possesses different powers. For example,

Congress makes laws, sets the budget, and declares war. The

President appoints Supreme Court judges, is the Commander in Chief

of the military, and grants pardons. The Supreme Court interprets

the law and can declare laws unconstitutional.

Checks

Each branch has checks on the other branches to

keep each branch from becoming too powerful.

​Legislative Branch-Makes Laws, Congress (Bicameral) The Senate (Equal/ 2 perstate) & The House of Representatives (based on population).

Executive Branch- ​Carry out laws, President, Vice President.

Judicial Branch- ​Evaluate Laws, Supreme Courts.

​​Separation of Powers

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​​Checks and Balances

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Multiple Choice

To ensure against the absolute power of a king, the Framers of the U.S. Constitution included provisions for both houses of Congress to  —

• establish patent protections

• override a veto of a president

• add constitutional amendments

• make federal court appointments

Multiple Choice

 The Founding Fathers chose to ensure against a ruler with absolute authority by —

• dividing power among 3 branches of government

• requiring multiple political parties in each election

• guaranteeing the rights of those accused of a crime

• creating a civilian-led militia with a right to bear arms

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Multiple Choice

The first ten amendments of the U.S. Constitution are an example of which constitutional principle?

• Republicanism

• Individual rights

• Checks and balances

• Separation of powers

Multiple Choice

Which government principle is illustrated in this diagram?

• Federalism

• Federalism

• Republicanism

• Separation of powers

Constitution was sent to the states for ratification in Sept. 1787 and became a big debate. ​

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​Federalist- Supporters of the US constitution

​Debate over Ratification

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​Anti-Federalists- Opponents of the US Constitution

Anti-Federalist were Mason and Henry, they objected to a strong national govt. They were worried State Rights & Individual rights would be controlled by the national government and upper class.​

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The Federalist supported the Constitution and the US needed a strong national government. They argued the Constitution was strong to support the nation with the separation of powers and check and balances.​

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​Federalist- Supporters of the US constitution

​Debate over Ratification

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​Anti-Federalists- Opponents of the US Constitution

Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay wrote THE FEDERALIST PAPERS.

Which pointed out the weaknesses in the Articles and argued that the new Constitution would solve these problems and protect the rights of the people.

The Federalist Papers convinced many Americans that ratification of the Constitution was necessary to protect the country. ​

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​The Bill of Rights .

The Federalist group did not want to add the BOR to the constitution but the states would not ratified the Constitution unless it was added. James Madison wrote 12 for the states to vote on and 10 were adopted. These became known as the Bill of Rights.

Bill of Rights- The first 10 Amendments.

​Colonial grievances issues addressed.

The Constitution and Bill of Rights​ addressed many grievances. Some are seen in the chart.

The BOR also protects many of what the framers considered to be "unalienable rights"​

Unalienable rights- Natural born rights, "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness:. ​

​The First Amendment

The 1st Amendment provides many of the fundamental freedoms Americans hold dear. Freedom of Speech, Religion, Press, Assembly.

Having these BOR also gives us Civic Duties such as voting, paying taxes and obey the laws. ​

​Amending the Constitution

To add an amendment or change the constitution, it has to be voted by both houses of Congress with a 2/3rd vote and then a 3/4th vote by the states. It's known as a living document- To change with the times.

Multiple Choice

Why is this type of interaction important in U.S. society?

• Free speech allows people to help create a better government.

• Due process laws are guaranteed by the Fifth Amendment.

• Individual protections are guaranteed by the Fourteenth Amendment.

• Freedom of the press helps the government respond to public opinion.

Multiple Choice

Which of these is required for amending the United States Constitution?

• proposal by two-thirds vote of both houses of Congress, ratified by three-fourths of state legislatures

• proposal by two-thirds vote of both houses of Congress, ratified by three-fourths of ratifying conventions in the states

• proposal by two-thirds vote of a national convention called by Congress on request of two-thirds of state legislatures, ratified by three-fourths of state legislatures

• proposal by two-thirds vote of a national convention called by Congress on request of two-thirds of state legislatures, ratified by three-fourths of ratifying conventions in the states

Multiple Choice

Which sentence completes this diagram?

• People cannot be forced to be witnesses against themselves.

• Cruel and unusual punishment cannot be inflicted.

• Warrants cannot be issued unless probable cause is established.

• Freedom of the press hel

  A defendant cannot be denied a speedy and public trial.

Multiple Choice

Which idea correctly replaces the question mark in this diagram?

• Due Process

• Eminent Domain

• Free Speech

• Federalism

Multiple Choice

Which grievance listed in the Declaration of Independence is addressed by the Third Amendment to the U.S. Constitution?

• Restricting trade

• Quartering soldiers

• Imposing taxes without consent

• Federalism

Multiple Choice

The Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution specifically addressed the colonists’ grievance that —

• they had been forced to house soldiers

• they had been subject to trials without a jury

• their homes had been searched without warrants

• the King had not respected their religious freedom

U.S. Constitution

The Compromises & the three branches

On the next slide answer the question: What things were added to the new government due to the authors’ experience with the Articles of Confederation?

Open Ended

What things were added to the new government due to the authors’ experience with the Articles of Confederation?

Poll

Would you rather eat...

• beaver tail

• ambergris (whale vomit)

• oyster ice cream

Poll

Would you rather...

• be a delegate to the convention

• remain oblivious to what was going on

• what is a "delegate"?

• what does it mean to be "oblivious"?

Poll

There was one branch of government under the Articles of Confederation. How many branches are there within the Constitution?

• one

• two

• three

• four

• there are branches in the Constitution?

The Constitution

"A bundle of compromises"

Large states vs. Small states forces...

The Great Compromise

The Great Compromise was the name given to the agreement of the Legislative Branch. According to the compromise, Congress would have two houses. The Senate based on equal representation, and the House of Representatives based on the overall state population.

Poll

This is your opinion, and only your opinion.

Do you think representation in Congress should be based on...

• population

• equality

• population and equality

• I really don't understand how this affects me

What about the issue of slavery and representation...

• The North wanted slaves to count for taxes, but not representation

• The South wanted slaves to count for representation, but not taxes

So, it was determined one house would be based on population...

Southern states wanted to increase their influence/power? How could they do it, and why would Northern states agree?

The Presidency

• The Articles of Confederation did not provide for a chief executive.

• Delegates decided that a president was necessary; they disagreed over how to elect.

• By popular vote OR...

Poll

Do you think you would ever want to be president of the United States?

• yes

• no

• maybe

THE U.S. CONSTITUTION

Let's explore!

CRAZY TERMS...

• ratify- to accept/approve/pass

• execute- to carry out

• federalism- shared powers between the federal and state gov't

• republican- a representative government

• propose- to introduce

Article I

Is the LONGEST article and establishes the LEGISLATIVE BRANCH (to legislate is to make or enact laws)

Multiple Choice

How many senators are in the U.S. Senate?

• 2

• 100

• 50

• 435

Multiple Choice

What is the term for members of the House of Representatives ?

• 2 years

• 4 years

• 6 years

• life

Powers of Congress

• collect taxes

• borrow money & pay debts

• rules for citizenship

• regulate commerce

• coin money

• establish post offices

Powers of Congress cont'd

• give patents for inventions

• create lower courts

• punish pirates

• declare war

• make laws that are "NECESSARY and PROPER"

Poll

In your opinion, should Congress and the President work together?

• yes

• no

• it depends

Article II

Article II of the Constitution describes the job of the EXECUTIVE BRANCH.

This branch executes, or carries out, laws.

Article II

• Headed by the president; primarily charged with carrying out the government’s day-to-day business.

• Describes qualifications, powers, and what happens if...

• Explains the Electoral

  College

Powers of the Executive Branch

• serve as Commander and Chief

• Maintain a cabinet

• Grant pardons

• Negotiate treaties with other countries

• Appoint ambassadors, Supreme Court justices, cabinet members

• Make a state of the union address

• Make sure laws are carried out, or executed...

Multiple Choice

Of the two branches discussed, which is responsible for making the laws?

• legislative

• executive

• judicial

• oak

Multiple Choice

Of the two branches discussed, which is responsible for declaring war?

• legislative

• executive

• judicial

• oak

Multiple Choice

Of the two branches discussed, which is responsible for making sure the laws are carried out?

• legislative

• executive

• judicial

• oak

Multiple Choice

Which branch is the ONLY branch elected directly by the people?

• legislative

• executive

• judicial

Article III

• Creates the Supreme Court; deals with United States laws, not state laws.

• States what kinds of cases the SC can hear, and guarantees trial by jury for criminal cases

• Federal judges are appointed, not elected

Fill in the Blank

The ___________ branch enforces the law.

Fill in the Blank

The _____________ branch makes the laws.

Fill in the Blank

The ____________ branch determines the constitutionality of the law(s).

Multiple Choice

Which of the branches has the most power?

• Legislative

• Executive

• Judicial

• They are equal

Articles IV-VII

• Article IV- States have the power to create and enforce their own laws.

• Article V- Discusses how the Constitution can be amended, or changed

• Article VI- Establishes FEDERALISM & makes the Constitution "the supreme law of the land"

• Article VII- Said the Constitution could not take effect until at least 9 out of the 13 states approved it

Poll

Remember the delegates were sent to Philadelphia to REVISE the Articles of Confederation. Imagine if you were an average citizen in 1787, and the delegates came out with an entirely different document. How do you think you would feel?

• great, the Articles did not work

• ok, these are really smart men

• huh, you did what?

• upset and shocked

Open Ended

The U.S. Constitution, as it was presented, was missing some things according to many citizens. Who or what was not mentioned in the original document?