Standard – SSUSH 5

1. Standard – SSUSH 5 The student will explain specific events and key ideas that brought about the adoption and implementation of the United States Constitution. • Explain how weaknesses in the Articles of Confederation and Daniel Shay’s Rebellion led to a call for a stronger central government. • Evaluate the major arguments of the anti-Federalists and Federalists during the debate on ratification of the US Constitution as put forth in The Federalist concerning form of government, factions, checks and balances, and the power of the executive branch, including the roles of Alexander Hamilton and James Madison. • Explain the key features of the Constitution, specifically the Great Compromise, separation of powers [influence of Charles de Montesquieu], limited government, and the issue of slavery. • Analyze how the Bill of Rights serves as a protector of individual and states’ rights. • Explain the importance of the Presidencies of George Washington and John Adams; include the Whiskey Rebellion, non-intervention in Europe, and the development of political parties [Alexander Hamilton].

2. Shay’s Rebellion • This rebellion convinced many leaders that Articles of Confederation needed to be revised or removed. • The Weakness of Federal government apparent to all, Desires for stronger central government growth.

3. Articles of Confederation • The Articles of Confederation was the first form of government for America. • It created a weak central government. • It contains states stronger than federal government. • The Articles of Confederation is the Greatest Law – Northwest Ordinances.

4. Charles de Montesquieu • His ideas influenced James Madison, the father of the Constitution. • His ideas of separation of powers – inspired the three branches of the federal government

5. US Constitution • James Madison – father of Constitution inspired by Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, George Washington • Constitution ideas inspired minorities to fight for their rights throughout US History • Preamble, 7 Articles, Bill of Rights and 27 Amendments

6. Great Compromise • This was the compromise between large and small states. • The Great Compromise is a combination of the New Jersey Plan and Virginia Plan. • It led to the creation of the bicameral legislator. • It is also called the “Connecticut Compromise” which is proposed by Roger Sherman.

7. Slavery • 3/5 Compromise • Used for increasing representation in Congress for Southern States.

8. Separation of Powers • Charles de Montesquieu = Spirit of the Laws • Legislative branch • Executive branch • Judicial branch • Key idea in the US Constitution • Congress • President • Supreme Court

9. Limited Government • "Limited government“ key government term • Purpose of limiting government's power • Declaration of Independence = "to secure these rights"--to limit governments power to threaten liberties. • "Limited“ - by a written Constitution • United States Constitution -"supreme Law of the Land”

10. Executive Branch • President and the Vice President gets a 4 year term. • The Cabinet has 15 Departments. • The Executive branch enforces the laws of Congress. • Executive branch is the Article 2 of the Constitution.

11. Checks and Balances • Check is when each branch of the government stops the other branch of government. • Balance is when each branch of government have different powers but are co-equal .

12. Federalists • The famous Federalists are John Adams, Alexander Hamilton, and James Madison. • Washington was not a Federalist but did favor their policies. • Alexander Hamilton founded the Federalist Party to support the creation of the US Constitution. • Federalists favored ratification of the Constitution and a stronger central government.

13. Anti-Federalists • Thomas Jefferson led the Anti-Federalists. • Anti-Federalists were against ratification of the Constitution. • They are responsible for strong state governments and a weak central government. • They are responsible for “Bill of Rights” .

14. The Federalist Papers • It was the series of Essays written mostly by James Madison. Alexander Hamilton and John Jay also wrote some. • Essays were published in Newspapers in order to convince people to support ratification of Constitution.

15. James Madison • Madison was the father of the Constitution. • He was the main Author of Bill of Rights. • James wrote most of the essays in The Federalist Papers. • He was the 4th President of the United States. • He was the president of the War of 1812.

16. Alexander Hamilton • He was the father of US Economy. • Hamilton was the first Secretary of the Treasuryin Washington’s Administration. • He advocated for a Bank of the United States. • He is one of the authors of The Federalist Papers. • Hamilton is the Founder of the Federalist Party. • He Advocated for a Strong Federal/Central Government.

17. State’s Rights • The tenth Amendment gives States Sovereignty. • It is the key idea in the American Revolution. • It is a strong tradition in the South because of slavery. • It is the Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions • Anti-Federalists advocated for States to have more power than the Federal Government. • Jeffersonian Republican Party supported States Rights. • The important concepts of the State’s rights are nullification, interposition, and sectionalism.

18. Bill of Rights • Bill of rights are the first ten amendments to the Constitution. • It is the protection from actions by the Federal Government. • Anti-Federalists argued for the Bill of Rights to be included in the Constitution. • 14th Amendment incorporates the Bill of Rights protections upon State government actions.

19. President George Washington • He was the first president under the US Constitution. • Set Precedents as President • Cabinet • He was neutrality as US foreign policy. • He was over legitimacy of Federal government laws. • He also has 2 terms as the President of the US. • Farewell Address • Warned against political parties. • Warned against making foreign alliances. • Warned against rising sectionalism between North and South.

20. Whiskey Rebellion • It is the first rebellion under US Constitution. • This rebellion was in Western Pennsylvania over whiskey taxes. • During this rebellion, Commander-in-Chief, President George Washington, called for troops from other states. • Whiskey Rebellion allowed first time troops from other states used against one states. • Washington established the right of Federal Government to Tax and send Troops into states.

21. Political Parties • American Tradition – Two Party System • Federalist Party vs. Jeffersonian Republicans • Blue [Donkey] = Democrat Party • Red [Elephant] = Republican Party • Always one party favors big government while other party favors small government • Conservative vs. Liberal

22. Factions • James Madison’s concept from essay in The Federalist Papers # 10. • Madison argued that more factions in a large country will ensure liberty for all. • Factions act as a check/balance against other factions as well. • Factions today are called interest groups.

23. John Adams • He was the father of the American Revolution. • He was also the first Vice President in Washington Administration. • He was the first Federalist Party President. • He had the Greatest Achievement – keeping America neutral. • Although he had the greatest achievement he also had the Greatest Failure. Which was signing into law the Alien/Sedition Acts.