The Road to the The Road to the ConstitutionConstitution

““The Sun ChairThe Sun Chair””During the Constitutional Convention, Ben Franklin often gazed at the back of this chair wondering if the sun was rising or setting…

They met in Philadelphia…They met in Philadelphia… Congress said they could meet to Congress said they could meet to

““reviserevise”” the Articles… the Articles… The Virginia PlanThe Virginia Plan: Intro. from the : Intro. from the

start. Set the course, drawn up by start. Set the course, drawn up by FederalistsFederalists! !

Main points: Main points: two chamberedtwo chambered househouse w/much power and w/much power and delegates delegates based on populationbased on population..

New Jersey PlanNew Jersey Plan: called for a : called for a stronger Congress, but stronger Congress, but single single chamberchamber, & , & votevote

Independence HallIndependence Hall

What were some significant What were some significant compromises in building the compromises in building the

Constitution?Constitution? The Great CompromiseThe Great Compromise: :

bicameralbicameral Congress; House by Congress; House by population, Senators two per population, Senators two per state. (AKA Conn.)state. (AKA Conn.)

House of Representatives

Senate

By Population 2 Per State

The U.S. in 1787The U.S. in 1787

Other compromises: North-South Other compromises: North-South Compromise, Compromise, 3/5 Compromise 3/5 Compromise (slavery)(slavery)

What they were doing was not What they were doing was not exactly legal! (It was NOT revision)exactly legal! (It was NOT revision)

The Ratification Struggle…The Ratification Struggle… The The Anti-Federalists were not Anti-Federalists were not

happyhappy. . Most delegates were Most delegates were FederalistsFederalists, in secret! Too powerful , in secret! Too powerful central govt! Wanted a revision!central govt! Wanted a revision!

FederalistsFederalists respond with respond with essaysessays aimed at winning public support. aimed at winning public support. (NY!)(NY!)

The Federalist PapersThe Federalist Papers

Written by Written by ““PubliusPublius””?? Madison and HamiltonMadison and Hamilton

These authors were all, “Well-read, well bred, well-fed, and well-wed!”

Reflected the interests of the propertied class. Civics: Federalist Papers Activity/Jigsaw

Madison on Federalist #51Madison on Federalist #51

The need for separation of powersThe need for separation of powers

Ultimately, Ultimately, this was neededthis was needed……

The The Bill of RightsBill of Rights!! Seen as a safeguardSeen as a safeguard What was the big deal?What was the big deal? Rights are inherent, orRights are inherent, or

are they?are they?

What is the significance of the Bill What is the significance of the Bill of Rights?of Rights?

The Preamble of the The Preamble of the ConstitutionConstitution

The famous The famous ““fakedfaked”” painting painting

James Madison is known as the father of the Constitution. Can you spot him?

Who were the major players in Who were the major players in developing the Constitution?developing the Constitution?

Major characteristics of the Major characteristics of the Constitution:Constitution:

Limited GovernmentLimited Government: both grants : both grants and denials of powerand denials of power

Power to offset power such as… Power to offset power such as… separation of powersseparation of powers

Also, institutions sharing power, Also, institutions sharing power, known as known as checks and balanceschecks and balances

South Carolinian foundersSouth Carolinian founders

Adams and his influence with Adams and his influence with Checks and balancesChecks and balances

Does one branch outweigh another?Does one branch outweigh another?

Also…Also… The Bill of RightsThe Bill of Rights: (know them): (know them) Judicial reviewJudicial review: came later! The : came later! The

power of the power of the courts to declare courts to declare laws laws and actions of the and actions of the legislature legislature ““unconstitutionalunconstitutional””

FederalismFederalism: division of political : division of political authority between nat. and stateauthority between nat. and state

Judicial reviewJudicial review

MarburyMarbury v. Madisonv. Madison (1803)(1803) John MarshallJohn Marshall, ,

Chief JusticeChief Justice He was a He was a FederalistFederalist!!

A little about judicial reviewA little about judicial review

Providing for Providing for ““Self GovernmentSelf Government””

Remember that Remember that ““tyranny of tyranny of majoritymajority””??

Democracy v. RepublicDemocracy v. Republic Went with Went with limited popular rule limited popular rule

(reps)(reps) ex. The Electoral Collegeex. The Electoral College

Were the founders also influenced Were the founders also influenced by Ancient Rome?by Ancient Rome?

AP Govt: Reading on Tocqueville & CP Six Basic PrinciplesDVD Constitutional Concepts