The Constitution

1. The Constitution

3. Constitutional Convention • a meeting of state delegates in 1787 leading to the adoption of a new Constitution

4. Constitutional Convention • Every state except Rhode Island sent delegates to fix the flaws of the Articles of Confederation. • Rhode Island opposed a stronger central government and did not attend the Convention • Meeting took place in Philadelphia at the Independence Hall • George Washington unanimously selected to preside over the convention

5. Constitutional Convention (continued) • Patrick Henry was elected as a delegate, but he opposed the Convention and did not attend • Ben Franklin, 81, was the oldest delegate at the convention • Thomas Jefferson did not attend because he was in Europe representing the American government

6. James Madison’s Notebook • Convention was secret, so there is no official record of the things discussed. • Most information from the meeting comes from James Madison’s notebook of daily events.

9. Virginia Plan • designed by James Madison called for a legislature with two houses with representation in each house based on population and an executive and judicial branch selected by the legislature • Larger states liked this plan • Smaller states felt it would ignore their interests

10. Legislative Branch • the law making branch of the government • Is divided into two chambers: The Senate and The House of Representatives • The Vice President is the head of the Senate • The Speaker of the House is the head of the House of Representatives

11. Executive Branch • The branch of government that carries out laws • Powers include dealing with the leaders of other countries • The President of the United States is the head of the executive branch

12. Judicial Branch • The branch of government that interprets laws • Has the power to veto laws • The Supreme Court is the head of the judicial branch

14. New Jersey Plan • Proposed by William Patterson • called for a single legislative house with equal representation for each state. • Smaller states liked this plan • Larger states felt they should have more power than the smaller ones

16. Roger Sherman • Headed the committee that came up with the Great Compromise

17. Great Compromise • agreement providing a dual system of congressional representation • Senate representation would be equal for each state (New Jersey Plan); this pleased the small states • House of Representatives representation would be based on population (Virginia Plan); this pleased the large states

18. Three-fifths Compromise • Agreement providing that enslaved persons would count as three-fifths of other persons in determining representation in Congress

19. Electoral College • A group of people named by each state legislature to select the president and vice president

20. Electoral Compromise • Some delegates wanted Congress to choose the President • Some delegates wanted the people to choose the President • The Electoral Compromise allowed for state legislatures (chosen by the people) to choose the electors, and the electors then choose the president • The Electoral College is still used today, but now the voters in each state choose the electors

21. Ratify • approve

23. Federalists • Supporters of the Constitution

24. Federalism • a form of government in which power is divided between the federal, or national, government and the states

25. Anti-Federalists • Those who opposed the ratification of the Constitution • Believed the Constitution should provide protection for certain basic liberties (freedom of speech and religion) • Believed the Constitution gave to much power to the national government and took too much power from the states • Supported the Constitution once the Federalists agreed to add a Bill of Rights

28. Ben Franklin • Famous diplomat, writer, inventor, and scientist who attended the Constitutional Convention

29. Republic • A system of government in which the people elect representatives to exercise power for them

30. 3 Parts of the Constitution • 1) Preamble- an introduction that states the goals and purposes of the government • 2) Articles- seven descriptions of the structure of the government • 3) Amendments- 27 additions and changes to the Constitution

31. Purposes of government from Preamble • 1) To form a more perfect union • 2) To establish Justice • 3) To insure domestic Tranquility • 4) To provide for the common defense • 5) To promote the general Welfare • 6) To secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity

32. Constitution’s Seven Articles • explain how the government is designed to work • first three describe the powers and responsibilities of the legislative branch, executive branch and judicial branch

33. Article I • The part of the Constitution that deals with the legislative branch • Lists the powers of Congress • States only the national government may coin money • States only the national government can make treaties with other nations

34. Necessary and Proper Clause • Allows congress to excerciseimplied powers

35. Implied Powers • Powers that Congress has that are not stated explicitly in the Constitution

36. Article II • The part of the Constitution that provides for the executive, or law enforcing, branch of the government

38. Amendment • Any change in the Constitution

39. Bill of Rights • The first 10 amendments to the Constitution

40. Income Tax • A tax on people’s earnings • An important source of money for the government

41. Article V • Gives two steps to making and amendment to the Constitution proposal and ratification

43. Popular Sovereignty • The notion that power lies with the people

44. Rule of Law • Principle that the law applies to everyone, even those who govern

45. Separation of Powers • the split of authority among the legislative, executive and judicial branches

46. Checks and Balances • a system in which each branch of government is able to restrain the power of the others • Keeps one branch of government from becoming too powerful

48. Expressed Powers • Powers that are specifically granted to the national government • Coin money • Make treaties with other nations

49. Reserved Powers • Powers that the Constitution does not give to the national government that are kept by the states • Trade within state borders • Establish schools • Set laws for marriage and divorce

50. Concurrent Powers • Powers that are shared by the sate and federal government • Collect taxes • Borrow money • Set up courts and prisons