The United States Constitution

The Articles of Confederation Weaknesses Weakness Change in Constitution

No Standing Army Federal Government is given the power to raise and maintain a standing army

No Federal Taxation Congress is granted the power to tax, impose duty and raise tariffs

No Single National Currency

Congress is granted sole power to coin money

No Executive Leadership A strong executive (President) is created

Each State had Equal Vote in Congress

Bicameral Legislature with proportional representation in the House of Reps.

Required Unanimous Vote to Amend

The 1787 Constitutional Convention completely replaced the Articles rather than amending them

Shay’s Rebellion • an armed uprising in

western Massachusetts from 1786 to 1787 led by Daniel Shays

• small farmers angered by crushing debt and taxes

• There was no army to take down rebellion

• Militia finally takes them down

Constitutional Convention 1787

• Independence Hall in Philadelphia

• 55 delegates from all the states except Rhode Island

• Delegates included: – George Washington – Ben Franklin– James Madison – Alexander Hamilton

The States Debate Representation

The Three Major Compromises of The

Constitutional Convention

The states all had major differences in

population, size, types of industry etc.

They had to debate some basics in

government before they could begin writing

#1 The Great Compromise (Connecticut Plan) Bicameral- legislature which consists of two

chambers or houses

Senate

House

#2 3/5ths Compromise

• only three-fifths of the population of slaves would be counted for southern population

• Population determined the number of representative in the House of Representatives

#3 Commerce and Slave Trade

• Southerners would allow for Congress to regulate trade IF they did not pass laws prohibiting slave trade for 20 years

Wednesday February 28th

• Please get notebooks out. They need to be checked for a homework grade.

• Study yesterday’s notes for a “POP” Quiz on Articles of Confederation and the 3 Compromises

Quiz 1. List two problems the Articles of Confederation

had an how the Constitution solved each. 2. What were the Three Constitutional

Compromises?

** 5 answers @20 points a piece** You can not make up these quizzes if you were

here.

Federalism• Sharing of power between Federal Government

and State Governments.• the Federal Government is superior to the State

Governments

***For example, a state could not pass a law that directly contradicted a law passed on the federal level. Within these principles, power is divided among the federal and state governments.

Divided Powers in US GovernmentThe Constitution clearly outlines State and

Federal Powers

• Delegated Powers - to specifically assign powers to the Federal Government.

• Reserved Powers - Powers reserved or saved for the State Governments.

• Concurrent Powers - Concurrent means "at the same time", powers that the federal and state governments have simultaneously. 

YOUR TURN!

Create a graphic organizer, Cartoon, Image, etc. Representing the Division of Power in the United States government.

Division of Powers in US GovernmentDELEGATED POWERS

Those powers specifically granted the Federal Government by the Constitution.

•Regulate interstate and international trade •Coin money •Declare war •Maintain an armed forces •Establish a postal system •Enforce copyrights •Sign treaties

CONCURRENT POWERS

Powers that are shared by both the Federal and State Governments

•Power to tax

•Maintain courts

•Borrow money

RESERVED POWERS

Those powers not delegated to the Federal Government or denied the states are reserved for the states.

Regulate intrastate trade Establish schools Establish local governments Pass statewide laws (ex. safety belt laws) Run elections

• Implied Powers - NOT specifically delegated in the Constitution, but are understood to be necessary or allowed. – The elastic clause or necessary and proper clause allows

these by stating that Congress has the power "to make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing powers" (art. I, sec. 8). Examples include:

• Hamilton's creation of the National Bank • Regulation of Railroads, Shipping, Highways

•Denied Powers - These are powers that are are specifically NOT allowed to either the federal or state governments.