AN INTRODUCTION TO THE CONSTITUTION

1. AN INTRODUCTION TO THE CONSTITUTION

2. Why is the Constitution so Important ??? • Blueprint for how the country functions • Laws of the Land • Controls / divides power of the USA • Ensures Fair & Equal system

3. The THEORIES • As new Americans, we believe in and want a few things… • Natural Rights - born with (inalienable) • Egalitarianism – belief in equality of all • Republicanism • Gov’t based on consent of governed (no tyranny) • Protect and provide for people (Preamble)

4. Republic • State power rests w citizens (through elected rep.’s) • Different for Democracy • Federalism • Power shared by state and federal gov’t • Power in 3 = citizens, state, federal

5. The Declaration of Independence

6. What’s in the Declaration? • The colonists told Great Britain that they were a separate, independent nation. • They complained about the king and his treatment of the colonists. • It DID NOT make laws for new government. • Instead, the Declaration created a framework for the kind of Gov’t the Founding Fathers wanted to create.

7. ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION, 1781-89 • America’s 1st FORM OF GOVERNMENT

8. Problems with the Articles of Confederation • It created an UNICAMERAL CONGRESS-(One lawmaking house) • It did not include an EXECUTIVE OR JUDICIAL BRANCH. • It gave NO POWER TO TAX OR REGULATE INTERSTATE TRADE .

9. Articles Probs. Con. • Amendments had to be Unanimous vote • Representation among the States • It created a DECENTRALIZED government and a WEAK UNION OF 13 SEPARATE STATES.

10. Problemswith the Articles of Confederation • Shay’s Rebellion (1786) and other rebellions showed that the federal government did not have enough control. • Each state was operating like a separate country. • A stronger federal government was needed!

11. The United States Constitution

12. Constitution Signatures

13. The Constitutional Convention - 1787 • May 25, 1787 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. • George Washington presided over the Convention. • James Madison from Virginia won the name, “Father of the Constitution.” • Federalist Papers (85 essays) • Sept. 17, 1787- 39 delegates signed. • It was provided that the Constitution would go into effect as soon as 9 states ratified it.

16. Strong Central (Federal) Gov’t States’ Rights FEDERALISTS vs. ANTI-FEDERALISTS

17. 2. New Federal Constitution 2. Individual State Constitutions FEDERALISTS vs. ANTI-FEDERALISTS

18. 3. James Madison Alexander Hamilton George Washington 3. Thomas Jefferson Sam Adams Patrick Henry FEDERALISTS vs. ANTI-FEDERALISTS

19. 4. Younger 4. Older FEDERALISTS vs. ANTI-FEDERALISTS

20. 5. Favored Cities, Urban Industry, Businessmen 5. Favored the common man, Farmers FEDERALISTS vs. ANTI-FEDERALISTS

21. Strong Federal Gov’t New Federal Constitution James Madison Alexander Hamilton George Washington 4. Younger 5. Favor Businessmen, Cities, Industry States’ Rights Indiv. State Constitutions Thomas Jefferson Sam Adams Patrick Henry 4. Older 5. Favor Common Man, Farming FEDERALISTS vs. ANTI-FEDERALISTS

22. BIG ISSUES • KEY DEBATE: Feds vs. States power • LAWS not People RULE • Representation: NJ vs. VA Plan • = The Great Compromise • Slaves counting in Population • = 3/5 Compromise • Abolishment of system Ignored

23. Division of Gov’t Power • = Separation of Powers / Checks and Balances • How Elect President??? • =Electoral College

24. Ratification and Amending • 1788- eleven states ratified the constitution. • 1789-New Government began functioning. • 1791-American Bill of Rights was added • First 10 Amendments to the Constitution.

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26. Characteristics of the Constitution 1. Three Branches of Government • Separation of Powers • Checks and Balances 2. Bicameral Legislative branch 3. Power to tax and regulate interstate trade 4. Centralized power

27. Bicameral Legislature – 2 lawmaking houses Senate – 2 representatives from each state House of Representatives – based on population of state

28. Capitol Building – Washington D.C.where the law-making magic happens

29. Senate and Housein session