The Constitution

The Constitution
Lesson 2&3 The Country's First Government & Creating a New Constitution

Articles of Confederation

the first constitution of the United States.

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.

Bicameral

consisting of a two-seperate bodies called houses

Confederation

is a group of individual state governments that unite for a common purpose

Electoral College

a group of people originally named by each state legislature, but now by voters to select the president and vice president

Federalism

a form of government in which power is divided between the federal or national government and the states

Federalist

a supporter of the constitution

Anti-Federalist

a person who opposed ratification (approval) of the constitution

Vocabulary

​Articles of Confederation- the first constitution of the United States.
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.
Bicameral- consisting of a two-seperate bodies called houses
Confederation- is a group of individual state governments that unite for a common purpose
Electoral College-a group of people originally named by each state legislature, but now b voters to select the president and vice president
Federalism- a form of government in which power is divided between the federal or national government and the states
Federalist- a supporter of the constitution
Anti-federalist-a person who opposed ratification (approval) of the constitution

​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.

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

Multiple Choice

True or False?  The Articles of Confederation had a strong central government.

• True
• False

Multiple Choice

How many states did it require to pass any law through Congress?

• 5 out of 13
• 10 out of 13
• 9 out of 13
• 2 out of 13

​Articles of Confederation

• 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.

​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

Multiple Choice

In the Articles of Confederation, where was most of the government power placed?

• The States
• The National Government
• The Continental Congress
• The Legislative Branch

Multiple Choice

The main cause for many of the rules in the Articles of Confederation was that the delegates at the Continental Congress...

• did not want to give the states too much power because they'd proven they were willing to rebel against a government.

• wanted to create a government that was identical to England's government.

• were concerned about giving the central government too much power because the King had used his power unfairly.

• wanted to unify the states together, which included creating one army and one type of currency.

​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

Shays' Rebellion represented...

• a success of the Articles of Confederation

• a failure of the Articles of Confederation

Multiple Choice

Who led the farmers against the government of Massachusetts?

• Daniel Shays
• the Government
• all of the farmers were leaders
• Thomas Hobbes

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

​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

Multiple Choice

Decide whether the fact below applies to the Virginia Plan, the New Jersey Plan, or both:

Would have been supported by the larger population states

• Virginia Plan

• New Jersey Plan

• Both

Multiple Choice

What does "Bicameral" mean?

• 1 house

• 2 houses

• 3 houses

• 4 houses

Multiple Choice

The Virginia Plan wanted representation based on _______.

• population of each state.

• number of state delegates.

• one state, one vote

• delegates appointed by the president.

Multiple Choice

The New Jersey Plan wanted representation based on _______.

• population of each state.

• number of state delegates.

• one state, one vote

• delegates appointed by the president.

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

  ▲

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

Lesson 5 The Principles of the Constitution

​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.

   1. Example= US and TX sharing powers

      1. Delegated powers- powers reserved for the national government

      2. Reserved powers- powers given to the states

      3. Concurrent powers- are powers shared by both national and state governments

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 the 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 vetoes a bill, Congress impeaches a president, Supreme Court rules 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.

​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.

​

Multiple Choice

Type of government that involves the people's (citizens) vote.

• Popular Sovereignty

• Republicanism

• Separation of Powers

• Individual Rights

Multiple Choice

What are powers called that both federal and state governments do?

• Reserved

• Express

• Concurrent

Multiple Choice

Power is with the people (citizens).

• Popular Sovereignty

• Individual Rights

• Checks & Balances

• Federalism

Multiple Choice

Government is divided into 3 branches: Legislative, Executive & Judicial branches.

• Federalism

• Limited Government

• Separation of Powers

• Checks & Balances

Multiple Choice

A system where each branch of government keeps the other branches from having too much power.

• Limited Government

• Checks & Balances

• Individual Rights

• Separation of Powers

Multiple Choice

Government Do's & Don'ts - Laws that keep the government from being too powerful

• Republicanism

• Popular Sovereignty

• Limited Government

• Checks & Balances

Federalism: Who does what?

Expressed Powers- Jobs of the Fed.
Gov’t
● Conduct foreign policy (work with other

countries)

● Regulate business within the U.S.
● Provide for national defense (armed

forces)

● Print Money

Federalism: Who does what?

Reserved Powers- Jobs of the State
Gov’t
● Promote public health
● Public Schools
● Conduct elections
● Authority for licenses- driving,

jobs

Federalism: Who does what?

Concurrent Powers (done by both
federal and state governments)
● Collect Taxes
● Maintain courts
● Roads

Reserved powers- jobs of the state

10th amendment grants reserved powers to the state

Multiple Choice

Which amendment gives reserved powers to the states?

• 1st amendment

• 7th amendment

• 10th amendment

• 15th amendment

​Checks and Balances

• The Constitution of the United States created three separate

  branches of government:

  • the Legislative Branch (Congress),

  • the Executive Branch (President),

  • the Judicial Branch (Supreme Court).

  • The Constitution has “checks and balances” to make sure that one branch does not become too powerful and allows each branch to keep the others in line.

​Separation of Powers

The powers of the government are balanced among the three

branches.
For example:

• Congress (Legislative) makes laws, sets the budget, and declares war.

• The President (Executive) appoints Supreme Court judges, is the Commander in Chief of the military, and grants pardons.

• The Supreme Court (Judicial) interprets the law and can declare laws unconstitutional.

​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

​

​​Checks and Balances

​

Multiple Choice

Dividing up the functions or role of government is known as what?

• Judicial Review
• Separation of Powers
• Amendment Process

Multiple Choice

Who creates the laws for the country?

• Executive (President)

• Legislative (Congress)

• Judicial (Supreme Court)

Multiple Choice

What is the job of the legislative branch

• to interpret laws

• to create laws

• to enforce laws

Multiple Choice

What is the job of the executive branch?

• enforces laws

• creates laws

• initerprets laws

Multiple Choice

What is the job of the judicial branch?

• to enforce laws

• interpret laws

• create laws

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 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

Exit Ticket 10/28

1. Why does the Constitution have checks and balances?

2. What are separation of powers?

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

​

​Federalist- Supporters of the US constitution

​Debate over Ratification

​

​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.​

​

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.​

​

​Federalist- Supporters of the US constitution

​Debate over Ratification

​

​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. ​

​

​

​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

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 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

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