the constitution of the united states
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The Constitution of the United States. Bellwork :. Compromise: A settlement or agreement reached between two sides, where each side gives something to the other side. Journal: Describe a time when you had to compromise with someone. Who did you compromise with and what was the compromise?. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
The Constitution of the United States
Bellwork:Compromise: A settlement or agreement reached between two sides, where each side gives something to the other side.Journal: Describe a time when you had to compromise with someone. Who did you compromise with and what was the compromise?
The Great Compromise
Essential QuestionWhat were the results of the Great Compromise?
Upcoming Change By the mid 1780’s most political leaders agreed the Articles of Confederation need to be changedConfederation Congress invited each state to send delegates to a convention in Philadelphia
Would discuss ways to improve Articles of Confed.
Meeting was called The Constitutional Convention
12 states sent 55 delegates to the convention
Would lead to the creation of the U.S. Constitution
Constitutional Convention
Key figures present:James MadisonBenjamin FranklinGeorge Washington
Key figures absentJohn AdamsThomas Jefferson
How is our country being represented?
The Great CompromiseSome members wanted to make small changes to the Articles of ConfederationSome wanted to rewrite the Articles completelyThere were also disagreements between:
small and large states; based on how they would be represented in the new governmentabout slaveryEconomic issues such as tariffsHow strong to make the national government
Virginia PlanLarge-state plan
Written by James MadisonWould give sovereignty-supreme power, to the national governmentDivided the gov’t into three branches:
Executive, Judicial, LegislativeLegislature would be bicameral- two houses
# of representatives of the legislature would depend on state population
This would benefit large states, giving them more representatives
New Jersey PlanSmall-state planProposed keeping Congress’ structure the same
Unicameral-one house legislatureThis would give each state an equal # of votes
This would benefit smaller states, as large population had no effect on the # of votes
Convention could not agree after months of debateA compromise was reached
Great Compromise Cont’d
The Great Compromise-Broke the government into 3 Branches of GovernmentBicameral legislature:
Every state, regardless of its size would have an equal vote in the upper house of the legislature
SenateEach state would have a # of representatives based on its population in the lower house of the legislature
House of Representatives
The Three-Fifths Compromise
The debate over representation (how to count people) also led to problemsSome Southern delegates wanted to count slaves as part of their state populationsNorthern delegates disagreed, thought it was unfairDelegates accepted the Three-Fifths compromise.
Each slave would count as 3/5 of a person (100 slaves = 60)
Main ConceptsMost of the delegates wanted
a strong national governmentPopular Sovereignty- idea that political authority belongs to the peopleBalance power of national government with power of the states
Federalism- sharing of power between a central government and the states
Federal gov’t has power to enforce lawsStates must obey authority of Federal gov’tFederal gov’t has the power to use the military to enforce lawsTroops are under the command of the presidentStates have control over areas not assigned to Federal gov’t
Balance of PowerLegislative Branch: Congress
Proposes and passes laws2 houses: Senate and House of Representatives
Executive Branch: PresidentEnforces laws, assures they are carried outCommander-in-Chief of the military
Judicial Branch: CourtsInterprets laws, punishes criminalsSettles disputes between states
Checks and BalancesKept one branch from gaining too much powerEx:
Congress proposes and passes lawsPresident can veto, or reject, that lawCongress can override veto with a 2/3 majority vote
Judicial Branch interprets laws to keep other branches from abusing power
Supreme Court reviews laws passed by Congress
Federalists vs. Antifederalists
Antifederalists- those that opposed the constitution
Felt the central gov’t had too much powerUpset that no Bill of Rights was included
Federalists- supported the constitutionFelt it offered a good balance of power
Federalist Papers- essays written supporting the Constitution
Many written by James Madison and Alexander HamiltonPropaganda supporting the Constitution
RatificationThe Constitution needed approval of 9 states to become ratifiedEach state held conventions to give citizens the chance to discuss the ConstitutionThey could then vote whether or not to ratify itJune 1788, Constitution was ratified
Bill of RightsAmendments- official changes, corrections, or additionsThe Bill of Rights would appear as a series of Amendments to the ConstitutionThe first 10 amendments to the Constitution are known as the Bill of Rights
Made sure the abuses listed in the Declaration of Independence would be illegalWould protect citizens’ individual rights
Constitution’s flexibilityHas clear guidelines and principlesCan be changed and updated to stay current with new times and challengesOften called a “living constitution”