Birth of a Nation

1. USI.7 Birth of a Nation T. Stephens

2. Confederation to Constitution

3. What led to the change? • Weaknesses in the Articles of Confederation led to the need to draft a new constitution.

4. Federal System • A government based on power being shared between the national and state governments.

5. The Constitutional Convention

6. What events led to the development of the United States Constitution?

7. The Constitutional Convention • Met in Philadelphia and decided not to revise the Articles of Confederation but to write a new constitution instead. • George Washington – elected president of Constitutional Convention • Delegates debated over how much power should be given to the new national government and how large and small states should be represented in the new government.

8. Solution #1 • Decided the structure of the new national government would include 3 separate branches of government. • Executive (President) • Legislative (Congress) • Judicial (Supreme Court)

9. Solution #2 • Great Compromise – decided how many votes each state would have in Senate and House of Representatives

10. 2 per state in the Senate

11. Based on state population in the House of Representatives

12. We Have A Constitution!!! • Signed at the end of the convention. • 9 out of 13 states had to vote in favor (yes) for it before it became law.

13. The Bill of rights

14. What influenced the Bill of Rights? • Virginia Declaration of Rights, written by George Mason • Virginia Statute of Religious Freedom, written by Thomas Jefferson

15. What is the Bill of Rights? • The first 10amendments to the Constitution that provided a written guarantee of individual rights (freedom of speech, freedom of religion)

16. 8 Steps to a Constitution • Fold paper into 8 squares. • Create an illustrated step by step process of the creation of the Constitution. Include a description of what happened and a picture that illustrates what occurred. • 8 steps – Weakness in Articles, Met in Philadelphia, George Washington elected, Debate over power, Creation of 3 branches, Great Compromise, Signing and Ratification, Adding the Bill of Rights • Must be neat and colorful!!

17. First Five PresidentsUSI.7d

18. The First 5 Presidents • What were the major national issues and events faced by the first five presidents?

19. All of the first 5 presidents were Virginians except John Adams. • Congress and the first 5 presidents made decisions establishing a strong government that helped the nation grow in size and Power!

20. George Washington • Virginia • Federal court system was established. • Bill of Rights added to the Constitution

21. George Washington cont. • Plans were initiated for development of the national capital in Washington, D.C. • Benjamin Banneker, an African American astronomer and surveyor, helped complete the design Washington D.C.

22. John Adams • Massachusetts • A two-party system emerged during his administration • We still use the 2 party system today

23. Thomas Jefferson • Virginia • Louisiana Purchase (France) • Lewis and Clark explored the new land west of the Mississippi River.

24. James Madison • Virginia • War of 1812 • The war caused Europe to gain respect for the United States

25. James Monroe • Virginia • Monroe Doctrine • warned Europe not to interfere in the Western Hemisphere

26. President Foldable • Fold paper in half (hot dog style) leaving about 1 inch for title. • Cut top part into 5 flaps. • Front flap – glue president picture, write name, state from in order. • Inside – Write all of the accomplishments for each presidents (use notes) • Title – First 5 Presidents