Unit Two: The Constitution Basic concepts of American Government

1. Unit Two: The Constitution Basic concepts of American Government *Ordered Government--local governments based on English version *Limited Government--government is not all-powerful--3 English Documents *Representative Government--people should have a voice in government Types of English Colonies *Charter--granted permission to settle by the king *Royal--ruled directly by the king through a governor he chose *Proprietary--organized by a single individual (a proprietor) Heading Toward Independence *English policies following French and Indian War *Early efforts at colonial unity: New England Confederation (1643) Albany Plan of Union (1754) Stamp Act Congress (1765) *First Continental Congress (1774) *Second Continental Congress (1775)

2. Importance of Second Continental Congress *Revolutionary War began April 1775 *Second CC convened May 10, 1775 in Philadelphia *All 13 colonies represented *John Hancock chosen to be president of the congress *2nd CC acted as the US's first governing body *June 7, 1776 Lee's Resolution called for writing a declaration of indepence and a constitution

3. The Declaration of Independence *The Committee of Five, headed by Thomas Jefferson was set up to write it *Two parts: the philosophy and the complaints *Purpose: to justify the Revolution and gain support *Officially adopted July 4, 1776

4. The Critical Period: the United States under the Articles of Confederation The AoC was written in accordance with Lee's Resolution at the 2nd CC *Into effect on November 15, 1777 *Established a "firm league of friendship" among states *Set up a unicameral (one house) congress *Each state had one vote in congress *Required 9 of 13 to pass an ordinary law *Required a unanimous vote to amend the AoC Weaknesses of the AoC *No power to tax; had to ask states for money *No power to raise an army; had to ask states for troops *No power to regulate interstate trade or commerce *No executive nor judicial branch

5. The Road to the Constitutional Convention *Trade disputes between VA & MD over use of the Potomac River *Mt. Vernon Conference 1785 *Annapolis Convention 1786--5 States *SHAYS' REBELLION in Dec. 1786 *Feb. 1787 Congress gives permission for revising the AoC *Philadelphia meeting becomes the CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION May-September 1787

6. The Framers: the guys who wrote the Constitution James Madison, the Father of the Constitution Characteristics of the Framers *relatively young *well-to-do *politically experienced *well educated *white *men Prominent People Not There *Thomas Jefferson *John Adams *Patrick Henry *John Hancock *Samuel Adams *Richard Henry Lee Agreed to Work in Secret & Were Disposed to Compromise

10. Ratification Debate: Federalists v. Anti-Federalists *Anti-Feds' biggest problem with the Constitution was the lack of a bill of rights *Madison, Hamilton, and Jay wrote The Federalist Papers *The Federalist Papers were published in NY newspapers in an effort gain support *85 essays that explain the Constitution and the government it created *After Madison assured Anti-Feds the First Congress could add a bill of rights, the opponents were appeased and the Constitution was ratified *The Constitution went into effect March 4, 1789 *The Bill of Rights was written and ushered through Congress by Madison *The Bill of Rights were ratified and then took effect Dec. 15, 1791

11. Amending the Constitution (Article V) *Formal Amendments become part of the written Constitution *There are 4 ways to formally amend the Constitution Ratification Stage: A. 3/4 of State legislatures B. 3/4 of State conventions Proposal Stage: 1. 2/3 of both Houses of Congress 2. A national convention called by Congress at the request of 2/3 of State legislatures Can be enacted by using 1A, 2A, 1B, or 2B. 26 of 27 used method 1A; the 21st used 1B