Transcript BestArt_of_Conf_to_Const1

ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION
TO THE CONSTITUTION
Articles of Confederation
 The representatives of the thirteen states
agree to create a confederacy called the
United States of America, in which each state
maintains its own sovereignty and all rights
to govern, except those rights specifically
granted to Congress.
 These thirteen states enter into a firm
"league of friendship" for the purpose of
defending each other.
Why did the Articles of Confederation fail?
I. Currency Issues
• The United States did not have a common currency.
• Americans carried money from
the federal government, state
government, and foreign nations.
• Merchants stopped accepting money from outside of their
own state, causing a lot of money to become worthless.
• This caused an increase in inflation. (Steady rise in prices
relating to an increased volume of money and credit resulting
in a loss in the value of the currency.)
Why did the Articles of Confederation fail?
II. Debt
• Congress could not tax the people and depended on money
from the states. (no power to tax)
• Therefore, the U.S. was unable to pay its debts!
Examples:
- The U.S. owed money to France, Holland, and Spain for
loans made during the Revolutionary War.
- The U.S. had not paid many of their own soldiers!
Why did the Articles of Confederation fail?
III. International and Domestic Problems
• The U.S. lacked the
military power to defend
itself against Great Britain
and Spain.
• States acted as
individual countries and
seldom agreed. (i.e.
sending troops to fight)
Example:
- Connecticut and Virginia
almost went to war over
land claims!
Why did the Articles of Confederation fail?
Courts (Judicial Branch)
• The nation lacked a
national court system.
Supreme Court
Why did the Articles of Confederation fail?
President (Executive Branch)
• The nation did not have a
President, or Chief Executive.
White House
Why did the Articles of Confederation fail?
Congress (Legislative Branch)
• Congress had one house. (unicameral)
• Laws were difficult to pass, needing the
approval of nine states.
• Congress was responsible to the states
(legislatures or Governors), not the people.
Capitol
Building
• Congress had no power to collect taxes,
coin money, or establish a military.
Comparison
Articles of Confederation
Constitution of the United States
Major power held by individual
states
Powers shared between states and
central government
National government had no power
to tax, no power to enforce laws
National government had power to
tax and regulate trade
At the national level-one house
legislature, no executive, no court
system
Three branches at the national
level—executive, legislative, judicial
Introduction to the U.S.
Constitution
 Written in Philadelphia
 Original intent was to
revise the Articles
 Washington was the
President of the
convention; James
Madison was the “Father”
of the Constitution
 39 men signed it in 1787
Objective: Three major problems would arise during the
convention…How do we solve them?
COMPROMISE!!!!!
3 BIG FIGHTS!!
 North vs. South
 Big vs. Little
 Federalist vs. Antifederalist
North vs.
South: ThreeFifths
Compromise
•How to count
slaves for
representation
(Southern)
and taxation
(Northern)
purposes
• 3 out of
every 5 slaves
would be
counted.
Virginia Plan
- It called for a
bicameral legislature,
in which the number
of representatives in
each house would
depend on the
population of the
state.
New Jersey Plan
- Both plans
called for a
strong
national
government
with 3
branches.
- It called for a
unicameral
legislature, in
which every state
received one vote.
Big v. Little: Great Compromise-Connecticut Compromise
• It provided
for a bicameral
Congress.
eCompromise
ComCompromise
Compromise)
A. House of Representatives – each state is represented according
to its population (satisfied the VA Plan)
B. Senate – each state has 2 Senators (satisfied the NJ Plan)
* Both houses of Congress must pass every law.
Federalism vs. Antifederalism
 Some states wanted to preserve more states
rights. Others wanted to protect individuals’
rights.
 Compromise?
 Bill of Rights!
THE PRINCIPLES OF THE
UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION
I. Popular Sovereignty
 The people hold the ultimate authority
 The first three words of the
Constitution are “We the People”
 A representative democracy lets the people
elect leaders to make decisions for them.
 Sen. Jim Webb, Sen. Mark Warner, and Rep.
Randy Forbes are our elected officials in
Congress
II. Limited Government
 Framers wanted to guard against tyranny
 Government is limited to the power given
them in the Constitution.
 The Constitution tells how leaders who
overstep their power can be removed
III. Federalism
 The division of power between State and
National Governments
 Some powers are shared
 The National Government has the “supreme
power”
IV. Separation of Powers
 No one holds “too much” power
 Legislative branch makes the laws
 Executive branch carries out the laws
 Judicial branch interprets the laws
Legislative Branch

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
Senate and House of Representatives
Make our laws
Appropriate Money
Regulate Immigration
Establish Post Offices and Roads
Regulate Interstate Commerce and
Transportation
 Declare War
Executive Branch
The President enforces the law
 Chief Diplomat
 Chief Executive
 Chief of State
 Chief Legislator (suggests laws to Congress)
 Commander in Chief
 Economic Planner
 Party Leader
Judicial Branch
 Interprets the law
 Supreme Court and other Federal Courts
 Preserve and protect the rights guaranteed
by the Constitution
 Considers cases involving national laws
 Declares laws and acts “unconstitutional”
V. Checks and Balances
 Prevents the abuse of power in government
 Each branch can check each other branch
Executive Checks
 Propose laws to Congress
 Veto laws made by Congress
 Negotiate foreign treaties
 Appoint federal judges
 Grant pardons to federal offenders
Legislative Checks
 Override president’s veto
 Ratify treaties
 Confirm executive appointments (S.C. Judges,
Cabinet Officials)
 Impeach federal officers and judges
 Create and dissolve lower federal courts
Judicial Checks
 Declare executive acts unconstitutional
 Declare laws unconstitutional
 Declare acts of Congress unconstitutional
 The Supreme Court holds the final check