The Constitution of the United States

1. The Constitution of the United States

2. Bellwork: • Compromise: A settlement or agreement reached between two sides, where each side gives something to the other side. • Journal: Describe a time when you had to compromise with someone. Who did you compromise with and what was the compromise?

3. The Great Compromise

4. Essential Question • What were the results of the Great Compromise?

5. Upcoming Change • By the mid 1780’s most political leaders agreed the Articles of Confederation need to be changed • Confederation Congress invited each state to send delegates to a convention in Philadelphia • Would discuss ways to improve Articles of Confed. • Meeting was called The Constitutional Convention • 12 states sent 55 delegates to the convention • Would lead to the creation of the U.S. Constitution

6. Constitutional Convention • Key figures present: • James Madison • Benjamin Franklin • George Washington • Key figures absent • John Adams • Thomas Jefferson How is our country being represented?

7. The Great Compromise • Some members wanted to make small changes to the Articles of Confederation • Some wanted to rewrite the Articles completely • There were also disagreements between: • small and large states; based on how they would be represented in the new government • about slavery • Economic issues such as tariffs • How strong to make the national government

8. Virginia Plan • Large-state plan • Written by James Madison • Would give sovereignty-supreme power, to the national government • Divided the gov’t into three branches: • Executive, Judicial, Legislative • Legislature would be bicameral- two houses • # of representatives of the legislature would depend on state population • This would benefit large states, giving them more representatives

9. New Jersey Plan • Small-state plan • Proposed keeping Congress’ structure the same • Unicameral-one house legislature • This would give each state an equal # of votes • This would benefit smaller states, as large population had no effect on the # of votes • Convention could not agree after months of debate • A compromise was reached

10. Great Compromise Cont’d The Great Compromise- • Broke the government into 3 Branches of Government • Bicameral legislature: • Every state, regardless of its size would have an equal vote in the upper house of the legislature • Senate • Each state would have a # of representatives based on its population in the lower house of the legislature • House of Representatives

12. The Three-Fifths Compromise • The debate over representation (how to count people) also led to problems • Some Southern delegates wanted to count slaves as part of their state populations • Northern delegates disagreed, thought it was unfair • Delegates accepted the Three-Fifths compromise. • Each slave would count as 3/5 of a person • (100 slaves = 60)

13. Main Concepts • Most of the delegates wanted • a strong national government • Popular Sovereignty- idea that political authority belongs to the people • Balance power of national government with power of the states • Federalism- sharing of power between a central government and the states • Federal gov’t has power to enforce laws • States must obey authority of Federal gov’t • Federal gov’t has the power to use the military to enforce laws • Troops are under the command of the president • States have control over areas not assigned to Federal gov’t

14. Balance of Power • Legislative Branch: Congress • Proposes and passes laws • 2 houses: Senate and House of Representatives • Executive Branch: President • Enforces laws, assures they are carried out • Commander-in-Chief of the military • Judicial Branch: Courts • Interprets laws, punishes criminals • Settles disputes between states

15. Checks and Balances • Kept one branch from gaining too much power • Ex: • Congress proposes and passes laws • President can veto, or reject, that law • Congress can override veto with a 2/3 majority vote • Judicial Branch interprets laws to keep other branches from abusing power • Supreme Court reviews laws passed by Congress

16. Federalists vs. Antifederalists • Antifederalists- those that opposed the constitution • Felt the central gov’t had too much power • Upset that no Bill of Rights was included • Federalists- supported the constitution • Felt it offered a good balance of power • Federalist Papers- essays written supporting the Constitution • Many written by James Madison and Alexander Hamilton • Propaganda supporting the Constitution

17. Ratification • The Constitution needed approval of 9 states to become ratified • Each state held conventions to give citizens the chance to discuss the Constitution • They could then vote whether or not to ratify it • June 1788, Constitution was ratified

18. Bill of Rights • Amendments- official changes, corrections, or additions • The Bill of Rights would appear as a series of Amendments to the Constitution • The first 10 amendments to the Constitution are known as the Bill of Rights • Made sure the abuses listed in the Declaration of Independence would be illegal • Would protect citizens’ individual rights

19. Constitution’s flexibility • Has clear guidelines and principles • Can be changed and updated to stay current with new times and challenges • Often called a “living constitution”