Constitution

1. Constitution Ch. 2

2. How did we get this Constitution??? • The Constitutional Convention begins • 55 attend meeting in Philadelphia • The ELITE of the Colonies • Washington was one of the richest men in the US. • 34 took a leading role • The press and public were not allowed to attend • All favored a limited government and a Representative government. • The government should be divided into 3 branches. • All attended to strengthen the National Government.

3. Compromises • The Virginia Plan • Government based on 3 principles • 1) A strong National legislative branch with 2 chambers. • Lower house ---- chosen by the people • Upper house ---- chosen by the lower • 2) Strong National executive • Chosen by the legislature • 3) National Judiciary to be appointed by the legislature. • Plan was basis of new constitution. • Smaller states did not like this plan • Larger states would be in control.

4. Compromises • The New Jersey Plan • Kept major features of articles • Unicameral Legislature. • One vote each state. • Congress would be given the power to collect taxes. • This lead to debate of Rep on basis of population or equally.

5. Compriomises • The Connecticut Compromise • This plan was adopted after long debate. • It suggested that the Legislative branch is to have two parts. • 1) A House of Representative • Based on population • All laws would begin in the house. • 2) Senate • 2 members from each state. • Smaller states would be protected in the Senate.

6. Compromises • Three-fifth Compromise • Debate on how many reps each state should have. • The Southern states wanted slaves counted same as free people. • Did not want enslaved people to be counted for TAXES??? • AGREEMENT---------------- 3/5 of the slaves were to be counted for taxes and representation

7. Compromises • Compromise on Slavery • North wanted National Government to have complete power over the slave trade with other nations. • South did not like this, would interfere with trade. • Gave congress power to regulate interstate commerce. • Slavery question was never discussed again • Afraid they would lose the southern states. • Agreed that Congress could not ban slavery until 1808.

8. Ratifying • They were divided into two groups • The federalist---- city dwellers and the coastal regions. • Anti-federalist---- inland farmers. • Anti federalist said the Constitution was done in secrecy. (Patrick Henry “I smell a rat!”) • It was extralegal----------- not sanctioned by law. • It also lacked a Bill of Rights. • Argued that without one the government could take away human rights.

9. Ratifying • -- Federalist said that without a strong national government----------- ANARCHY would triumph. • Also a Bill of Rights was not needed since every state had one. • To gain favor with the Federalist, a Bill of rights was added to the new government. • The ratification of the Constitution also was the birth of Political Parties in the US. • The Anti-federalist • Today’s democrats • The Federalist • Today’s Republicans

10. The Constitution is made up of Seven Articles • Article I • Formation of the legislative Branch • Created the two houses of Congress • Article II • Created the Executive Branch • Carry out laws passed by Congress • Article III • Establishes the Supreme Court • Check for unconstitutional laws and interpret

11. Article IV • Explains the relationship of the states to one another and to the National government. • Article V • Spells out the ways that the Constitution can be amended • Article VI • Contains the Supremacy Clause • Laws and treaties passed by the Congress shall be the law of the land. • Article VII • Addresses the ratification and the states that the Constitution would take effect after it was ratified by nine states.