Events and Ideas #2 A Weak Government Gives Way to the Constitution U.S. History Unit 1

1. Events and Ideas #2 A Weak Government Gives Way to the Constitution U.S. History Unit 1

2. Essential Question: • What did the Constitution have that made it more effective and a stronger government than the Articles of Confederation?

3. Throughout the slideshow, this symbol means: = key terms to remember

4. New State Constitutions • State constitutions were written before end of Revolutionary War. • State Constitutions called for separations of powers. • Executive, legislative, and judicial branches set up. • Bicameral legislatures were set up. Draft of the first Virginia State Constitution

5. The Revolution Changes Society • Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom passed in 1786. • Voting rights expanded to any white male taxpayer. • Property restrictions for running for office were relaxed. • Divorce and education became easier for women. Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom, 1786

6. Is the United States a Republic or a Democracy? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04n6qrBwFBE&t=4s

7. Republic • Who were not given the right to vote?

8. …Blacks and Women

9. Articles of Confederation • Definition: • The first government of the United States that loosely unified the states under a center governing body (the Confederation Congress) • The Congress had limited powers • Each state had one vote • Each of the thirteen states had their own constitution https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KGG9afW7XY

10. Copy this graph on your notes…

11. A Weak National Government • States issued their own currency • An economic slowdown (recession) grips the country. • Shay’s Rebellion over debts and taxes, Aug. 1786 – Feb. 1787 • Lack of national response to the uprising brings calls to reevaluate the Articles of Confederation Daniel Shay

12. Constitutional Convention • Definition: • The gathering for the purpose of writing a new constitution or revising the existing Articles of Confederation. • May 25th – Sept 17th 1787, in Philadelphia from • Many came with the idea to fix the problems with the Articles of Confederation • James Madison and Alexander Hamilton wanted to create a new Government

13. Made up of 55 Delegates Notable facts: Professions of Delegates: ½ were lawyers Merchants Manufacturers Shippers Land speculators Bankers Physicians Ministers Farmers • Almost all served in the Continental forces • 75% were members of the Confederation Congress • 25 owned slaves • 16 depended on slave labor to run plantations or businesses • All but two were wealthy

14. Plans Presented at the Convention • A number of different plans were introduced: • Virginia Plan • Favored large states • New Jersey Plan • Favored small states • Hamilton’s Plan • Favored British type government • Connecticut's Compromise - also known as the Great Compromise • Combined elements of Virginia and New Jersey Plans

15. Issues at Debate: • How to make the Legislative branch fair to both small and large states • Whether to divide the executive power between three persons or a single president • How to elect a president & term served • Whether the legislature or executive branch would choose judges

16. Debate Regarding Slaves: • Twenty-five of the fifty-five delegates owned slaves • Nature of a fugitive slave clause • Abolish or allow the importation of slaves • Would slaves be counted in the population that determined the number of delegates from each state?

17. The Great Compromise • House of Representatives will be based on population. • Senate will contain equal number of senators from each state • Three-Fifths Compromise: 5 slaves = 3 free persons. • Congress could not ban the slave trade for 20 years or impose a tax on imported slaves Three-fifths Compromise

18. Charles-Luis Montesquieu1689-1755 • French political scientist and Enlightenment thinker. • His writings influenced James Madison when writing the U.S. Constitution • Credited with the concept of Separation of Powers divided into three branches that were equal in power: • Legislative • Executive • Judicial

19. Separation of Powers • Each branch of the government functions to keep a check on the others • No one branch should have more authority than another.

20. James Madison1751-1836 • Wanted a strong national government as a solution to the failure of the Articles of Confederation. • Wrote over a third of the Federalist Papers in which he argued for protection against factions (special interests). • Authored the basic plan that was adopted by the Constitutional Convention. • He is called the “Father of the Constitution”

21. Eight Interesting Facts about James Madison • Father of the Constitution • 4th President • Shortest president (5’4”) • One of three authors of the Federalist Papers • Key author of the Bill of Rights • Served as president during the war of 1812 • Married Dolley Madison • White House burned

22. The New Constitution • New Constitution crafted based on the idea of popular sovereignty • The idea of rule by the people. • Constitution created a system of Federalism. • Power is divided by the federal (national) and state governments. Philadelphia Convention

23. Federalism • Definition: • A political system in which power is divided between the national and state governments • The government allows the people of each state to deal with their needs in their own way • States act together to deal with matters that affect all Americans

24. The New Constitution • Separation of Powers with three branches of government: - Legislative, Judicial, Executive • Checks and Balances: each branch limits another branch. • Powers not expressly given to the Constitution are reserved for the states or the people • Congress would have the right to amend the Constitution

25. Amending the Constitution • Changes could be made to the Constitution through Amendments • To prevent frivolous changes, the process is difficult. • 2/3 vote in both houses to propose amendment. • 3/4 of state legislatures to would be needed to ratify. U.S. Constitution

26. Signing of the Constitution • September 17, 1787 the approved Constitution is signed by 38 delegates from 12 states (all but Rhode Island) • George Washington as president of the convention signed first.

27. After finishing your notes, complete this Crash Course Video • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCCmuftyj8A&t=392s

28. Answer the Essential Question:(minimum 5 sentences) • What did the Constitution have that made it more effective and a stronger government than the Articles of Confederation?