Please Read In order to speed up your Cornell Note taking: Read all the words on the slide. Write only what your teacher has highlighted in BLUE Draw pictures in the left hand column if it helps you understand.

U.S. Constitution

What documents did Americans look to when creating a new Government? The Mayflower Compact - American 1st document in the colonies that defined self-government.

Document 2 Magna Carta - British The king was not above the law—he had to follow the same laws as the citizens

Document 3 The English Bill of Rights – British Took more power away from the king. Protected the rights of citizens.

Other Ideas The Enlightenment – Europe I’m John Locke! I think people should govern themselves Other Ideas The Enlightenment – Europe 18th century movement focused on thinking with reason and science John Locke = Enlightenment thinker believed that people were able to govern themselves. believed if the government isn’t working, the citizens could replace it Baron De Montesquieu = Enlightenment thinker Suggested the 3 branches and separation of powers

What were the Articles of Confederation? America’s first constitution

What is a constitution? The laws and plan for a nations government

What was the plan? Government is ran by a congress Congress was controlled by representatives from each state. Each of the 13 states had ONE vote. Laws could be passed with a 9 out of 13 vote. STATES HAD ALL THE POWER—THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT WAS WEAK. 9

What were the problems after the war? Great Britain closed its ports to America. Congress could not collect taxes. Each state produced its own money. No courts to settle arguments between states.

Shays Rebellion. . . . More problems. Violent revolt (uprising) against new government Massachusetts raised taxes to pay off war debt Farmers unable to pay taxes Daniel Shays – an angry farmer Led revolt to attack an arsenal (a place where weapons are stored)

One more problem. . . Northwest Territory (land that is not yet a state) Settlers were claiming the land Need a way to govern the settlers

Northwest Ordinance The ordinance = a set of laws Tell how a territory becomes a state 60,000 freemen = apply for statehood $640 = 1 sq. mile of land No slavery allowed in the territory

Constitutional Convention A convention = a large gathering of people for a particular reason. Come up with a better plan for the government

What is the purpose of the U.S. Constitution? Popular sovereignty – the power belongs with the people Be able to defend the country from other countries To ensure freedom for citizens To ensure peace among the states

Big States vs. Small States Delegates did not agree on anything 2 ideas Virginia Plan More power to large states States with more people = more votes in Congress. New Jersey Plan Each state = 1 vote Number of people in state shouldn’t matter.

The Great Compromise A compromise = a settling of differences where both sides gives up something. 2 houses of Congress Senate = each state had 1 vote. House of Representatives = votes determined by number of people in the state

How were slaves to be counted? Problem South = count slaves as population South would have more votes in congress North = south owns slaves as property, so slaves should be not counted as population South would have less votes in congress

3/5ths Compromise When counting population in a state: 5 slaves would count as 3 people.

3 Branches of Government Settles differences about the meaning of laws Carry out Laws Makes Laws

System of Checks and Balances Dividing the government into 3 branches Balances the powers of all 3 No one branch has more power than the other All 3 branches have separation of powers Separate duties/jobs All 3 branches check each other Must work together as equal partners Executive Branch Judicial Branch Legislative Branch

Approving the Constitution All laws and plans for the new government were written down Delegates took new constitution back to their states 9 out of 13 states had to ratify or approve the Constitution for it to go in effect.

Ratify or Not to Ratify? Federalists = liked the Constitution Wanted a strong national government Wealthy landowners, merchants, and lawyers Anti-Federalists = didn’t like the Constitution Wanted more power given to the states Farmers 1790- Constitution was ratified by all 13 states.

The Bill of Rights First 10 amendments were added in 1791 amendment = a change or addition to a document Lists things the government cannot take away from citizens Guarantees Freedom of Speech, religion, and the right to a fair trial to every American citizen. Many other amendments have been added

Write your summary. REVIEW your notes by looking back to the beginning of your Cornell Notes. Your summary must include the MAIN IDEAS and the important DETAILS about each main idea.