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The Constitution

The Constitution. Don't interfere with anything in the Constitution. That must be maintained, for it is the only safeguard of our liberties. Abraham Lincoln. Why a Constitution?. Articles of Confederation were weak. 1 The national government could not force the states to obey its laws.

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The Constitution

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  1. The Constitution Don't interfere with anything in the Constitution. That must be maintained, for it is the only safeguard of our liberties. Abraham Lincoln

  2. Why a Constitution? • Articles of Confederation were weak. • 1 The national government could not force the states to obey its laws. • 2 It did not have the power to tax • 3 It did not have the power to enforce laws • 4 Congress lacked strong and steady leadership • 5 There was no national army or navy • 6 There was no system of national courts • 7 Each state could issue its own paper money • 8 Each state could put tariffs on trade between states.

  3. Shay’s rebellion Economic uprising in Massachusetts The US government could not raise an army to put it down. Oops!!! John Jay- The rebellion made "the inefficiency of the Federal government [become] more and more manifest”

  4. The Virginia Plan- new document Strong national government- 3 branches Bicameral legislature, one chosen by the people Executive veto power

  5. New Jersey Plan- revamp Articles New Jersey- They were so confident it would be accepted they called it the “Jersey sure!” hehe

  6. NJ Small states feared both houses would be based on population Each state would get one vote in legislature- argues it balanced large and small states Va plan came first so it was the focus.

  7. Great Compromise

  8. Key principles Federalism- Hey wait that’s chapter three!!! Separation of Powers- 3 distinct branches of government – legislative, Executive, Judicial Enumerated powers- Powers given just to the federal government- (ex. Coin money) Reserved Powers- Powers held by the states (ex. Issues licenses) Concurrent powers- Powers shared by the states and the fed (ex. Tax)

  9. Checks and Balances

  10. Getting it done Federalists- “nationalists Antifederalists- “states righters”

  11. This is what a federalist looks like

  12. This is what an anti-federalist looks like

  13. Which are you? Let’s figure that out

  14. The Constitution and us It did provide some protections- Writ of habeas corpus- why are you being detained No Bill of Attainder- guilty without trial No ex post fact law- “after the fact”

  15. The Constitution and us Bill of Rights- In all it's glory!

  16. Constitution and us Slavery- 3 mentions, but never mentioned!! 1. counted them as 3/5 of a person for census purposes. 2. Congress could not forbid importation of “such persons” until after 1808 3. A “person held to service or labor” must be returned if he/she escapes

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