The United States Constitution The Supreme Law of the Land
The Articles Prove Unstable Federal gov t could declare war and other foreign affairs Federal gov t have no power to collect taxes, relying only on contributions from states Resolving MAJOR issues required 2/3 of the states to approve (9 total) Any amendments to the Articles took the approval of all 13 states
Shays Rebellion (Massachusetts, 1786-1787) The wealthy investors that had paid for the Revolution wanted their money back. The states raised taxes to pay the debt. Poor farmers rioted in protest of the raised taxes. (Led by Daniel Shays) Massachusetts didn t have the money to raise an army to stop the riots. Congress didn t have the power to tax to raise a national army to stop the riot
Effects of Shay s Rebellion People would defy any government that acted against their wishes. It showed America that the federal government had to be strengthened to avoid civil unrest. Forced Americans to reevaluate the strength of a confederation and move to a stronger central government Shay s Rebellion showed the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation
Annapolis Convention George Washington hosted a conference to discuss critical problems of the government in Mt. Vernon, Virginia (1785). However, only reps from VA, MA, DE, and PA showed up. Another convention was planned in hopes in having delegates from all states in Annapolis, Maryland. Only five states sent reps. However in 1787, James Madison and Alexander Hamilton were able to persuade the other states to hold yet another convention in Philadelphia in order to revise the Article of Confederation
Constitutional Convention, 1787
Meeting in Philadelphia, 1787 Spring/Summer 1787, leaders from 12 states (all except Rhode Island) met in Philadelphia at Independence Hall to REVISE the Articles of Confederation Elected George Washington as president of the convention (he was not President of the United States yet)
Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists Two different groups emerged from the debate over whether to revise the Articles or create a brand new Constitution Federalists favored a strong central government (John Adams, James Madison, Alexander Hamilton) Antifederalists- favored stronger states and individual rights, feared a strong central government would lead to tyranny (Thomas Jefferson, Samuel Adams, Patrick Henry)
James Madison Rival to Hamilton at the Convention Father of the Constitution Believed a large republic with diverse interests would preserve the common good
Alexander Hamilton Rival to Madison at Convention Favored government ruled by aristocracy and monarchy Looked out for the interests of businessmen and the wealthy
Rival Plans of Government Delegates debated how best to distribute representatives to the new Congress for each state Virginia Plan proposed by Madison; bicameral (two house) legislature with larger populated states having more representatives New Jersey Plan would retain unicameral (one house) legislature and all states have EQUAL number of representatives
The Great Compromise Introduced by Roger Sherman AKA The Connecticut Compromise Proposed bicameral legislature to appease both sides Senate EQUAL representation; 2 per state House of Representatives based on population Also divided power between federal and state governments (system known as Federalism)
Slavery and the Three-Fifths Compromise Debate sparked between Northern and Southern delegates South feared domination by North, which had far more free peoples South feared that the economic value of slavery would be in jeopardy All knew that the issue of slavery could tear apart the newly formed country
Slavery and the Three-Fifths Compromise 1st Constitution forbade Congress from blocking the slave trade for 20 years (until 1808). 2nd 3 out of every 5 slaves could be counted in a state s population 3rd All states required to return fugitive slaves to their owners
Ratifying the Constitution Founding Fathers decided that ratification by only 9 states would be enough to put into law the new Constitution The Federalist Papers series of essays written by Hamilton, Madison and John Jay (right) promoting the ratification of the new Constitution Still many states were Anti- Federalist and refused to ratify
Bill of Rights Only after many state conventions were promised an individual Bill of Rights did they ratify the Constitution. Bill of Rights first 10 Amendments; composed by James Madison Intended to protect individuals from a strong central government and give them certain specified rights Included freedom of religion, petition, assembly, the press, legal rights, right to bear arms, etc.
The Bill of Rights 1. Freedoms of Speech, peaceful Assembly, Religion, Press, petition 2. Right to bear arms 3. No quartering act 4. Privacy, search and seizure 5. Due process, double jeopardy, self incrimination 6. Speedy, public trial 7. Trial by jury 8. Prohibits cruel and unusual punishment 9. Rights not specifically mentioned are also protected 10. All powers not delegated to the Federal government are reserved for the states
Principles of New Constitution (AKA words you need to know) Popular sovereignty gov t derives its political authority from the people Limited Government the central gov t has ONLY the powers the Constitution gives it Separation of Powers gov t divided among three branches (legislative, executive and judicial): remember this was taken from Montesquieu!
Principles of New Constitution (AKA words you need to know) Federalism federal and state gov ts share power Checks and Balances each branch has the power to limit actions of the other two Representative democracy (Republic) citizens elect reps to gov t to make laws Electoral College group of people chosen by each state who directly elect the President
TOD, Part 1:COMPARE/CONTRAST CHART Directions: Copy the chart below on a separate sheet of paper. Complete the chart by explaining the stance (feelings) that each party had on the listed issues FEDERALISTS/FEDERALIST PARTY ISSUES 1)GOVERNMENTAL POWER 2) TAXES ANTI-FEDERALISTS/ DEMOCRATIC- REPUBLICAN PARTY 3) LAWS/RULES 4) FOREIGN INTERVENTION
TOD Part 2: Explain the significance of 4 of the following to the development of the United States Constitution (1 sentence each) Articles of Confederation Daniel Shay George Washington James Madison Alexander Hamilton Roger Sherman John Jay Thomas Jefferson