Echo Johnson

This era evaluates the strengths and weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and understands the need for a new government.

Issues and compromises that were addressed at the Constitutional Convention. Establishment of the U.S. Constitution through compromises and influences from past

documents (Magna Carta, Mayflower Compact, Declaration of Independence, Fundamental Orders of Connecticut, and the English Bill of Rights)

Federalists and Anti-Federalists Individual rights are guaranteed in the Bill of Rights and how these amendments pleased the

Anti-Federalists

Constitutional Era – 1787 – Creation of the U.S. Government

Philadelphia Convention 1787 Great Compromise 3/5s Compromise Federalist and Anti-Federalist points of view Federalist Papers Bill of Rights

Identify the major events of the Constitutional Time Period

Writing of the United States Constitution

Significance of 1787

*Written during the American Revolution*Occurred at the Second Continental Congress (1776)*Created a new form of government for the independent colonies

*one branch, a Congress, including one representative from each of the former colonies*Articles created a “firm league of friendship” where “each state retains its sovereignty, freedom and independence

Articles of Confederation : Issues Surrounding Important Events of the American Revolution

Representation1. Virginia Plan: large state plan that proposed representation on population size2. New Jersey Plan: small state plan that proposed equal representation among all statesCompromise

Great Compromise: Constitution resulted in a two-house legislature with the House of Representatives based on population and the Senate maintaining equal representation from all states

Issues of the Constitutional Convention – Representation

IssueHow slaves should be counted regarding population and taxation.

CompromiseThree-Fifths Compromise: three-fifths of the slave population would be counted when setting direct taxes on the states and three-fifths ratio would also be used to determine representation in the legislature

Issues of the Constitutional Convention – Slavery

o Federalists – argued for a stronger national government because under the Articles of Confederation, the weak national government set the United States up for failure.

o Anti-Federalists – argued that states’ rights should remain powerful over key issues; remained the opinion that we fought the Revolution to get away from strong central government; desired to protect individual liberties

o Compromise: the U.S. Constitution is ratified and the Bill of Rights is added

Arguments for and Against Ratification of the Constitution

1215; Runnymede, England Limited the power of the King of England This document influenced the United States’ Constitution The Constitution limits the power of the central government Trial by jury An innocent man cannot be put into jail without a trial

Magna Carta

1689 Limited the power of the King Listed individual rights of the people that could not be taken away by the King This document influenced the United States’ Constitution Bill of Rights

English Bill of Rights

1620 Written by the Pilgrims An agreement that established majority rule and

self-government The Pilgrims pledged to remain loyal to Great

Britain

Mayflower Compact

A series of essays written in support of the United States Constitution. Focused on the need for a strong central government with restricted (limited) powers. Supported separation of powers and checks and balances. Written by: Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison

Federalist Papers

A series of essays written against the United States Constitution. Feared a strong central government Felt the Constitution lacked protection for individual rights Written by: Thomas Jefferson and Patrick Henry

Anti – Federalist Papers

• States’ rights (a result of a strong fear of a tyrannical leader)• Confederation of states with equal voice in Congress• Congress had power to make war and peace, sign treaties, raise an

army and navy, print money, and set up a postal system

Strengths of the Articles of Confederation

• No national taxes – no way to raise national money to pay an army, navy, or other national interests; had to ask the states for money which was often ignored

• No federal court system – no way to settle disputes between the states• Lack of a strong federal government – reduced ability to settle disputes over state

boundaries• No power to regulate commerce – arguments about taxes on goods that crossed state

borders• No federal leader – no Executive to lead the country• Limited military = no protection

Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation

An armed rebellion of farmers in Massachusetts led by Daniel Shays.Showed that the government could not keep order and a stronger

form of national government was needed.

Shay’s Rebellion

Grievance in Declaration of Independence

Addressed in the U.S. Constitution

Taxation without representation All states have representation in Congress, which sets taxes

King has absolute power Congress has the power to override Presidential veto

Colonists not allowed to speak out against the King

1st Amendment – Freedom of Speech

Quartering Act forced colonists to house troops

3rd Amendment – No quartering of troops

Allowed homes to be searched without warrants

4th Amendment – No unwarranted search and seizure

No trial by jury of peers 6th Amendment – right to a speedy public trial

7th Amendment – trial by jury

Colonial Grievances Addressed in the U.S. Constitution

Federalists

Supporters of the United States Constitution.Argued for a stronger national government.Under the Articles of Confederation the weak national government set the United States up for failure.

Wanted to go beyond the stated powers of the Constitution.Used the “necessary and proper” clause to justify forming a National Bank that was necessary and proper for the United States economy to develop.Served as a delegate from New York at the Constitutional Convention.Leading member of the Federalists.

Alexander Hamilton

Known as “the Father of the Constitution”Helped write the Federalist Papers with John Jay and Alexander HamiltonAuthored the first 10 Amendments (the Bill of Rights) to compromise the Anti-Federalists

James Madison

Against the ConstitutionArgued that states’ rights should remain powerful over key issuesKept the opinion that we fought the Revolution to get away from strong central governmentBelieved that the Constitution should protect individual rights

Anti-Federalists

Was so opposed to the idea of a stronger national government that he refused to attend the Philadelphia Convention because he “smelled a rat”From VirginiaHad been an influential leader against England with his “Give me liberty, or give me death!” speech.

Patrick Henry

Leader of the Anti-Federalists. Believed in the need to restrict governmental power and supported protection of individual rights. Served as a delegate from Virginia at the Constitutional Convention.Made over 130 speeches against the Constitution.

George Mason

1st – Freedom of Speech, Religion, Press, Assembly, and Petition to the Government2nd – Bear Arms3rd – No quartering troops during times of peace4th – search and seizure5th – due process of law; not to be tried twice for the same crime (double jeopardy); right not to

testify against yourself6th – right to a speedy and public trial7th – right to a trial by jury in civil trials8th – right not to have excessive bail and/or punishment9th – rights of the people10th – rights left to the states to decide

Rights Guaranteed in the Bill of Rights

Freedom of speech and press allow for the protection of individual rights; freedom to express information, ideas, and opinions free of government restrictions based on content

Importance of Free Speech

Representatives are elected by the people to serve the people

Republicanism

•1620-1691 -Plymouth Colony – self-governing, with each congregation independent and electing its own pastor and officers*17th century-Mass. Bay Colony – democratic in that they elected ministers and other officials; church closely tied to state government*1631-Roger Williams founded Rhode Island; 1636 church and state separated*1681-1776 – Penn’s Frames of Government guaranteed religious freedom to all settlers in Pennsylvania*1689 – Toleration Acts; Maryland is founded for Catholics*1791 – Bill of Rights guaranteed freedom of religion from government interference

Development of Religious Freedom

in the United States

Americans have the right to worship however they choose The government does not have the right to interfere with religious beliefs Sets up for official separation of church and state

Impact of the First Amendment Guaranteeing

Freedom of Religious Freedom on the

American Way of Life

Example of American Art during the Constitutional

Time Period

Judges are appointed for life making them independent of executive control.Article II of the Constitution

How the U.S. Constitution Reflects Principles of Government

The Constitution creates a limited government in which everyone, including all authority figures must obey the laws.Constitutions, statements of rights, or other laws define the limits of those in power so that they cannot take advantage of their elected, appointed, or inherited positions

How the U.S. Constitution Reflects

Principles of Government

System that does not allow anyone branch of the government to have too much power.Example: the President can veto legislation passed by Congress; Congress can override the veto. The Senate confirms major appointments made by the President, and the courts may declare acts passed by Congress unconstitutional

Checks and Balances

Sharing of power between the federal government and the state governments.

Federalism

Separation of Powers

All political power rests with the people.The people can create, alter, and abolish

government.People express themselves through voting and free

participation in government.

Popular Sovereignty

The Constitution can be changed or amended when it is deemed necessary by the people to bring the document up to date.

Congress or state conventions can propose an amendment.It then goes to the states to be approved.

An amendment must have a 2/3 vote of Congress or state conventions and a ¾ vote of the states to be approved.

Process of Changing the U.S. Constitution

Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of HappinessFreedom to associateFreedom of assembly

Right to propertyExamples of Unalienable

Rights

Name given to the individuals who played a major role in declaring independence, fighting the Revolutionary War, or writing and adopting the

Constitution of the United StatesThomas Jefferson : George Washington

Alexander Hamilton : John AdamsBenjamin Franklin : James Madison

Founding Fathers

Involvement in a community Those with civic virtue go a step beyond their obligations by taking an active role in improving the community in the experiences of other members of the community.

Civic Virtue