Transcript What is a Constitution?

Chapter 5
The Beginnings of our Government
DURING THE REVOLUTION
State of the New Nation
What is a Constitution?
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A constitution is a document that defines
government roles (duties and power)
Situation and Attitudes After the
American Revolution
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Each state had its own constitution
There was also a constitution for the central
government
People did not want a strong central
government
The individual states are most important
The Articles of Confederation 1781
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1st Constitution of the United States
Strengths:
 Created - ( The United States of America)
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Kept power in the states and they are independent
A 1 house Congress was comprised (made up of) colonial
delegates
Power to declare war
Set the procedure for settlements to become states
Articles of Confederation — Weaknesses
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No power to levy taxes
No president
No U.S. currency
No large U.S. military
No power to enforce
treaties
No Supreme Court
No regulation of interstate trade
Only states could tax or make
money
The Country after the War - CHAOS
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Owed money to European countries
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Heavily taxed exports being sent to other states
Support for the Articles of
Confederation
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People who are afraid of tyranny
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Trusted the states
Annapolis Convention 1786
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Poor turnout
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Purpose - to discuss economic problems not
addressed by the Articles of Confederation
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Biggest accomplishment - agreeing to meet the
following year in Philadelphia to fix the
government – “Constitutional Convention”
Stop
The Constitutional Convention
Constitutional Convention
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May-September 1787
Philadelphia, PA
55 delegates
Rhode Island did not participate
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Leaders at the Convention
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George Washington
James Madison (FATHER OF
THE CONSTITUTION
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Alexander Hamilton
Benjamin Franklin
Influences
• Magna Carta, 1215
– Limited King’s powers
– Protected rights of the
people
The Constitutional Convention
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George Washington was elected
President of the Constitution
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Most delegates supported a
strong national government.
They had differing opinions about
how to accomplish this. The two
ideas prior to the convention:
 Revise the Articles of
Confederation
 Create a “new” constitution
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Result – they ignored the
unanimous vote required to
change the Articles of
Confederation and started
anew
The Constitutional Convention
Begins
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Congress held the meeting to revise the Articles
of Confederation.
It was voted to keep the debates secret.
Total 55 delegates from 12 states, Rhode Island
did not send a delegate.
Plans for A New Constitution
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Plan A:
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The Virginia Plan
Written by Edmund Randolph of Virginia
 Created the 3 branches of govt. ( executive,
legislative & judicial branch of govt.
 Gave Congress the power to tax and regulate
interstate commerce
 2 houses of Congress based upon a state’s
populations
 National government can veto state laws ( stronger
than the states)
 Congress would choose the members of the executive
branch
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Plans for A New Constitution
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Plan B: (preferred by those who resided in
states with smaller populations)
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The New Jersey Plan by William Patterson:
 Congress could tax and regulate foreign and
interstate commerce
 Executive , legislative and judicial branches
 Unicameral ( 1 house)Congress with all
states having an equal vote
 States would be more powerful than the
central government
The Resolution- Created by Roger
Sherman of Connecticut
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The Great Compromise
 Two houses of Congress
The Senate – Each state sends two Senators
 The House Of Representatives – Based upon the
population
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Debates Over Slavery
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Three Fifths Compromise:
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South wanted slaves counted for representation
North Said no, because they could no vote.
Decision was reached that 3/5ths of a slave would count. (i.e
5 slaves = 3 free people)
Slave trade
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Slaves were only allowed to be brought into the country for
20 years.
After 1808 it was only allowed to trade slaves already in the
country.
The Electoral College
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A group of independent voters
Informed citizens
A check and balance to
the popular vote
Ratification
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The Constitution was taken to the states for
approval. Nine of 13 yes votes were required for
ratification (Approval).
A New Constitution
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The new Constitution was
signed on September 17,
1787
The United States Constitution
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Clearly defined the powers and functions of the government
Formed bicameral legislature
Ensured checks and balances between branches of
government
Described how governing individuals would be selected
Has been amended 27 times
STOP