Unit Two: The Constitution

Basic concepts of American Government*Ordered Government--local governments based on English version*Limited Government--government is not all-powerful--3 English Documents*Representative Government--people should have a voice in government

Types of English Colonies*Charter--granted permission to settle by the king*Royal--ruled directly by the king through a governor he chose*Proprietary--organized by a single individual (a proprietor)

Heading Toward Independence*English policies following French and Indian War*Early efforts at colonial unity: New England Confederation (1643)

Albany Plan of Union (1754)

Stamp Act Congress (1765)*First Continental Congress (1774)*Second Continental Congress (1775)

Importance of Second Continental Congress

*Revolutionary War began April 1775*Second CC convened May 10, 1775 in Philadelphia*All 13 colonies represented*John Hancock chosen to be president of the congress*2nd CC acted as the US's first governing body*June 7, 1776 Lee's Resolution called for writing a declaration of indepence

and a constitution

The Declaration of Independence

*The Committee of Five, headed by Thomas Jefferson was set up to write it

*Two parts: the philosophy and the complaints*Purpose: to justify the Revolution and gain support*Officially adopted July 4, 1776

The Critical Period: the United States under the Articles of Confederation

The AoC was written in accordance with Lee's Resolution at the 2nd CC*Into effect on November 15, 1777*Established a "firm league of friendship" among states*Set up a unicameral (one house) congress*Each state had one vote in congress*Required 9 of 13 to pass an ordinary law*Required a unanimous vote to amend the AoC

Weaknesses of the AoC*No power to tax; had to ask states for money*No power to raise an army; had to ask states for troops*No power to regulate interstate trade or commerce*No executive nor judicial branch

The Road to the Constitutional Convention

*Trade disputes between VA & MD over use ofthe Potomac River

*Mt. Vernon Conference 1785*Annapolis Convention 1786--5 States *SHAYS' REBELLION in Dec. 1786*Feb. 1787 Congress gives permission for

revising the AoC*Philadelphia meeting becomes the

CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTIONMay-September 1787

The Framers: the guys who wrote the Constitution

James Madison, the Father of the Constitution

Characteristics of the Framers*relatively young *well-to-do

*politically experienced*well educated *white

*men

Prominent People Not There*Thomas Jefferson *John Adams *Patrick Henry*John Hancock *Samuel Adams *Richard Henry Lee

Agreed to Work in Secret & Were Disposed to Compromise

Ratification Debate: Federalists v. Anti-Federalists

*Anti-Feds' biggest problem with the Constitution was the lack of a bill of rights*Madison, Hamilton, and Jay wrote The Federalist Papers *The Federalist Papers were published in NY newspapers in an effort gain support*85 essays that explain the Constitution and the government it created

*After Madison assured Anti-Feds the First Congress could add a bill of rights,the opponents were appeased and the Constitution was ratified

*The Constitution went into effect March 4, 1789*The Bill of Rights was written and ushered through Congress by Madison*The Bill of Rights were ratified and then took effect Dec. 15, 1791

Amending the Constitution (Article V)

*Formal Amendments become part of the written Constitution*There are 4 ways to formally amend the Constitution

Proposal Stage:

1. 2/3 of both Houses of Congress

2. A national convention calledby Congress at the request

of2/3 of State legislatures

Ratification Stage:

A. 3/4 of State legislatures

B. 3/4 of State conventions

Can be enacted by using 1A, 2A, 1B, or 2B. 26 of 27 used method 1A; the 21st used 1B