The Constitution

1. The Constitution

2. The constitutional convention 1787 Vote to eliminate articles of confederation and create a new constitution 55 men from 12 states Each State had one vote to pass constitution

3. 2 major plans Virginia Plan -3 branches Judicial-courts Execute-central power Legislative-make laws -states -representatives based on population Big States like New Jersey Plan 3 Branches Judicial-courts Execute-central power Legislative-make laws -1 rep per state Small states like

4. The Great Compromise-2 houses in legislative 1. House of Representatives- # reps based on population 2. Senate - 2 senators per state

5. 3/5 Three-Fifths Compromise Southern Slave states many slaves= more population= more power HR Northern did not want to count slaves Decide each slave 3/5 of a person to count population

6. Ratification (approving) Constitution Federalist For constitution -Federalism- power shared state and National Anti- federalist Felt const took too much power from states-nation too strong

7. Bill of Rights Many would not approve until a bill of rights was added. Pass 9/13 votes June 1788

8. 4 Major Ideas of the Constitution 1.Popular Sovereignty-people rule themselves-Democracy • Government should represent what people want • People give opinion through election, • Voting-President, senators, congressmen….

9. 2.Limited Government- Control power of Gov • Do not want Majority to take right s from Minority • Action needs to follow constitution- looked over by courts • Bill of rights states what government cannot do to citizens

10. 3. Federalism- system where National Gov & State Gov share power 3 powers • 1.Enumerated Powers-only for the Nation-Immigration control, Military, Postal service • 2.Reserved Powers- only for States-control trade in state set up schools, marriage and divorce laws • 3.Concurrent Powers-Both governments share- collect taxes; borrow money, courts, and prisons, Police • Supremacy Clause- (National vs State) when laws disagree the supreme law is the National law

11. 4. Separation of Powers- Does not put all the power in one spot • -3 Branches created spread out the power Judicial, Executive, Legislative • Checks & Balances • Protect from one gaining more power than other • Bill-idea proposed by congress-law if passes

12. Charles-Louis Montesquieu • French Philosopher 1700’s • Came up with Separation of Power • Government should be separated into 3 units • Executive- central power • Legislative- law making group • Judicial- run the courts

13. Key figures in the Constitutions George Washington • Chosen President of the conventions • Played very little role in the debates

14. James Madison • Principle Architect of the Constitution • Realized the articles were weak and needed a stronger central Gov. • Key Writer in the Federalist papers • principal force behind the Bill of Rights protections against fed power • Kept a dairy of the convention. He is why we know about all the debates and deals.

15. Alexander Hamilton • Favored the Virginia Plan for proportional representation in both houses of Congress. • Wanted a strong life long executive leader • Played a pivotal part in encouraging the ratification of the Constitution by co-authoring The Federalist Papers.

16. George Mason • proposal for a national executive consisting of one person, • One 7 year term • chosen by the national legislature for seven years. • persuaded the convention to expand its definition of impeachable offenses :"high crimes and misdemeanors" • He wanted to end the slave trade but to protect slavery as it then existed in the country.

17. Federalist Papers • James Madison, John Jay and Alexander Hamilton • 85 essays in order to encourage support for the Constitution and press the argument for its ratification • Major documents that helped ger constitution approved • Supported a federal system with both state and Federal powers

18. In your notes create a 3 part diagram comparing and contrasting the 2 documents