The United States The United States Constitution: Constitution:

The Framework of Our The Framework of Our GovernmentGovernment

What factors contributed to the What factors contributed to the development of the Constitution?development of the Constitution?

What happened at the Constitutional What happened at the Constitutional Convention?Convention?

What is in the Constitution?What is in the Constitution?

I. How Did We Get There?A. State constitutions- the base

1. Ratification procedures

2. Legislative bodies3. Separation of powers4. Religious liberty

a) Disestablishment of churchesb) Pluralism (many faiths)

5. Slavery restrictions

B. Articles of Confederation- “The Critical Period”1. Were the first set of laws for the US ratified in 17812. Had a WEAK central government a) UNIcameral legislature b) 1 vote per state- regardless of size c) 9 votes needed to pass a LAW d) 13 votes needed for an AMENDMENT e) Powers held by the Congress: wage war, make treaties

borrow money, send representatives to foreign countries

3. State governments had ALL the power4. Successes under the A of C a) Land Ordinance of 1785** b) Northwest Ordinance of 1787**5. Shays’ Rebellion proved the weakness of the central

government

C. Constitutional Convention Called1. Delegates met to discuss problems with the

A of C…keep them?...change them????2. 55 delegates were white, middle-aged, upper-class men3. Decision is made to draft a new system of

government…more problems arise…compromise is the key to solving problems

a) Representation- Great Compromise b) Slaves counting toward population totals- 3/5

Compromise c) Regulating commerce/slavery- Commerce

Compromise

4. Outcomes of the Convention a) New governmental system created- DEMOCRATIC-REPUBLIC b) Division among the people emerges (Federalists v. Anti-federalists)

c) Demands are made for a Bill of Rights (Anti-federalists) d) National government gains powers (TAXATION!!) e) 9 out 13 states needed for ratification- which comes in June 1788

II. The Constitution- A Document and Basis for Government

A. Major Ideas in the Document1. Popular sovereignty2. Limited government3. Separation of powers (Legislative, Executive, Judicial)4. Checks & balances5. Flexibility (elastic clause, amendment process,

judicial review)

Preamble- 5 goals of

the Constitution

Article ILegislative Branch

Article IIExecutive Branch

Article IIIJudicial Branch

Articles IV-VIIOutline basic functions

Bill of Rights First 10 Amendments

Amendments 11- 27

B. Basic Organization of the Document

PreamblePreamble

“We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic

tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the

United States of America.”

C. Basic Principles in the Constitution Today1. National power2. FEDERALISM****3. Judiciary4. Civil liberties5. Criminal procedures6. Equality7. Rights for Women8. Rights for ethnic/racial groups9. Presidential power in wartime and foreign affairs10. Separation of power and capacity to govern11. Avenues for representation\on12. Property rights and economic policy13. Constitutional change and flexibility

D. Important Aspects in the Document1. Elastic clause- “CONGRESS… make all laws necessary and proper…”

***2. Federalism- separation of power between NATIONAL and STATE government 3. Electoral College- chooses the President- meant to act as a “safety net” in the election process

1.1.What factors contributedWhat factors contributed to the development of the to the development of the Constitution?Constitution?

2.What happened at the 2.What happened at the Constitutional Constitutional Convention?Convention?

3. What is in the 3. What is in the ConstitutionConstitution??