The Constitution

The ConstitutionHow we got here

Why we needed a ConstitutionThe Articles of Confederation were weak and our country was not working properly under them

Articles of ConfederationWritten at the Second Continental Congress in 1776Only had a congressNo executiveNo courtsCreated a League of FriendshipEach state retained sovereignty, independence and freedom13 small countries working together instead of 1 large united country

Philadelphia Convention of 1787They swore an oath of secrecy so that people with alterior motives wouldnt derail the proceedings

Here they worked on the Constitution of the United StatesThey argued on many issues including slavery and representation but they all agreed that the work must be done.

It was very expensive for the me to be there and many of them spent their fortunes on lodging and food, many others were there on borrowed money.

Philadelphia Convention of 1787They were GREATLY influenced by historic documentsMagna Carta (1215) limited the power of the Central GovernmentEnglish Bill of Rights - individual rightsMayflower Compact (1620) majority rule

Key PlayersAlexander Hamilton (delegate from New York) wanted to go beyond the stated powers of the Constitution . Used the necessary & proper clause to justify forming a National Bank that was necessary to the development of the United States economy

James Madison Known as the Father of the Constitution Helped to write the Federalist Papers with John Jay and Alexander Hamilton. Authored the first 10 amendments (Bill of Rights) to compromise with the Anti-FederalistsKey Players

Great Compromise

The Virginia Plan wanted representation to be based on population. Larger states had more people living in them so they would get more representation and therefore have more powerThe New Jersey Plan wanted all states to have equal representation.Every state should have 1 representative. Period.

They compromised and made two houses of Congress (Article 1)They created the House of RepresentativesRepresentation based on populationThey created the Senate2 representatives per stateGreat Compromise

3/5th CompromiseRepresentation and taxationSlave states wanted their slaves counted as people to be represented in CongressThis would give them more people and more representatives and therefore.more powerNon-agricultural states didnt want the slave states to have more power They compromised and decided to count each slave as 3/5 of a person so that the slave states got some more representation but a lot more.Grievances SchmeviencesGrievance in Declaration of IndependenceAddressed in the ConstitutionTaxation without RepresentationAll states have representation in Congress, which sets taxes, not the executive/kingKing has absolute powerCongress has the power to override Presidential vetoColonists not allowed to speak out against the king1st amendment freedom of speechQuartering Act forced colonists to house troops3rd amendment no quartering of troopsAllowed homes to be searched without warrants4th amendment no unwarranted search & seizureNo trial by jury of peers6th amendment speedy public trial7th amendment trial by jury

Federalists/Anti-FederalistsFederalists wanted a strong central government and felt like the constitution put the power in the right places!Anti-FederalistsWanted more power for the states and the peopleFeared that the government was too strong and would take rights away the same way King George did.Patrick Henry Give me Liberty or give death! I smell a ratGeorge Mason Leader of the anti-federalists. Supported individual rightsFederalists/Anti-FederalistsThe Constitution was ratified with the promise that they would add a bill of rights

BILL OF RIGHTS