constitutional convention when/where /who why september 1787 congress met for a constitutional...
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Constitutional Convention
When/Where/Who
Why
•September 1787
•Congress met for a Constitutional Convention
•Articles of Confederation were not working•A stronger central government was needed
PrinciplesSeparation of powers with 3
branches of governmentChecks and balances so that no
branch was too powerfulGuarantees equality under the
law with majority rule and the rights of the minority protected
Constitutional Convention
They created the U.S. Constitution
A written plan for the structure of the U.S.
government.
Political Ideas and Traditions that influenced our gov't.
U.S. Government
Political Ideas and Traditions that influenced our gov't.
Ancient Greek
Democracy
U.S. Government
Greek Democracy
Political Ideas and Traditions that influenced our gov't.
British Parliament
Ancient Greek
Democracy
U.S. Government
British Parliament
Political Ideas and Traditions that influenced our gov't.
Magna Carta
British Parliament
Ancient Greek
Democracy
U.S. Government
Magna Carta
Political Ideas and Traditions that influenced our gov't.
English Bill of Rights
Magna Carta
British Parliament
Ancient Greek
Democracy
U.S. Government
English Bill of Rights
Political Ideas and Traditions that influenced our gov't.
Enlightenment Thinkers
English Bill of Rights
Magna Carta
British Parliament
Ancient Greek
Democracy
U.S. Government
Enlightenment ThinkersJohn Locke and Baron de Montesquieu
Political Ideas and Traditions that influenced our gov't.
Enlightenment Thinkers
English Bill of Rights
Magna Carta
British Parliament
Ancient Greek
Democracy
U.S. Government
FEDERALISM
The Federal System The division of power between the
national government and the governments of the states.
Shared Powers
Federal Government
• Power to tax• Regulate trade• Control currency• Raise an army• Declare war• Pass laws
• State Government• Pass/enforce laws• Regulate trade
within their borders• Establish local
governments, schools, etc.
Supreme Law of the Land
Constitution - Final and supreme authority
Settled disputes between the states and federal government
A “living document”
Separation of Powers
Organization of Government
Distributes power equally among three branches of government
Ensures no person or branch of government is
too powerful
Legislative Branch• Created in Article I
• Congress is the lawmaking branch
• Made up of 2 houses: the Senate and the House of Representatives
Powers of the Legislative
Branch
• Collects Taxes• Coining Money• Regulates trade• Declares war• Confirms presidential
appointments• Makes the laws
Executive Branch• Created in Article II
• Executes the country’s laws
• Headed by the President
Powers of the Executive Branch
• Commander in chief or the armed forces
• Conducts foreign policy
• Approves or vetoes laws
• Administers and executes the laws
• Appoints ambassadors, federal judges and others
Judicial Branch• Created in Article III• Interprets laws and
punishes lawbreakers• Supreme Court is the
head of the judicial branch
Powers of the Judicial Branch
• Hears cases involving the constitution
• Interprets the Constitution and other laws
• Reviews lower court decisions
System ofChecks and
Balances•Ensures that no branch becomes too powerful •Each branch has powers that limit the powers of the other two branches•The world watched to see if self-government could work
Federalists vs. Anti-federalistsFederalists vs. Anti-federalists
FederalistsFederalists: :
• Favored ratification of the Favored ratification of the Constitution. Constitution.
• Wanted a strong national Wanted a strong national government. government.
• James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay strong supportersJohn Jay strong supporters
•Wrote a series of essays “Wrote a series of essays “Federalist Federalist PapersPapers” explaining constitution” explaining constitution
•Sent to state conventionsSent to state conventions
Federalists vs. Anti-federalistsFederalists vs. Anti-federalists
AntifederalistsAntifederalists: :
• Opposed ratification of ConstitutionOpposed ratification of Constitution
• Wanted a Bill of Rights to protect the Wanted a Bill of Rights to protect the peoplepeople
FederalistsFederalists AntifederalistAntifederalist
Feared DisorderFeared Disorder Feared Feared OppressionOppression
Adopting the ConstitutionAdopting the Constitution
June 21, 1788June 21, 1788
• The ninth state approves – New The ninth state approves – New HampshireHampshire
• New York / Virginia had not ratified New York / Virginia had not ratified ConstitutionConstitution
Two largest statesTwo largest statesWanted a Bill of RightsWanted a Bill of Rights
• Bill of Rights was added in 1791Bill of Rights was added in 1791