The Constitution Themes and Compromises

Constitutional Convention delegates (12 states) met to revise the Articles of Confederation Rhode Island – no show – Opposed strong central government

Convention Decisions George Washington was unanimously chose to preside over convention GW appointed a committee to set the rules for the convention 7 state minimum for meets to happen Majority rule for votes Discussions were secret – Delegates allowed to speak freely without being concerned about public opinion

TWO PLANS FOR GOVERNMENT

The Virginia Plan Powerful Central Government (3 Branches) 2 House Legislature (bicameral) – One chosen by the people – One chosen by State legislatures – Both houses represented by state’s pop. James Madison

The New Jersey Plan Wanted to strengthen Articles, not replace them 3 branches of government One House (Unicameral) – Each state gets one vote – States are equal in power – State legislatures choose representatives William Paterson

What to do? Virginia or New Jersey Plan? How should the government count slaves? – Taxes and representation Large states v. small states Northern states v. Southern states

The Great Compromise Congress will have two houses Senate: each state has equal reps (2) House of Representatives: reps based on population Federalism: power shared between national and state governments National power declared “Supreme”

The 3/5 Compromise 550,000 slaves in the South (cannot vote) Southern states want – Slaves to be counted in representation number BUT NOT for taxation Northern states – If a slave cannot vote or participate in government then they should not be counted Each slave counts as 3/5 of a free person

Trade Regulation Views on Congress regulating trade North: Foreign countries and between states South: feared taxes on exports – Also shared slave trade would end Southern states agreed to Congress regulating domestic and foreign trade North agreed to Congress not taxing exports and would not interfere with slave trade before 1808

Choosing a President Electoral College – Group of people named by Legislature to select the President and V.P.

Removing a President House of Rep. has the power to investigate and impeach a President or V.P. Senate has the power to hold trial, convict and remove

Conflict over the Constitution Federalists LOVE the Constitution The Federalist Papers – Alexander Hamilton – James Madison – John Jay Anti-Federalists Opposed Constitution Believed that government had too much power AND did not protect individual liberties Wants a Bill of Rights!

Ratification Opposing sides agreed that the Constitution would be adopted IF a Bill of Rights is added 1788-New Hampshire becomes 9 th state to ratify, Constitution is adopted! 1790-all 13 states ratified

Themes of the Constitution Federalism: power shared between National and State governments – Enumerated Powers: National government (maintaining an army, making treaties with other countries) – Reserved Powers: State government (schools, marriage/divorce laws) – Concurrent Powers: shared between both (taxes and courts)

Federalism Cake

Themes of the Constitution Popular Sovereignty – Right for people to govern themselves – Power to choose their rulers – Power to remove officials from office – Magna Carta, Locke, Declaration inspired!

Themes of the Constitution Limited Government – People’s basic rights should be protected – People were afraid that those in government would deny rights to the average person Led to the Bill of Rights

The Three Branches of Government Executive Legislative Judicial

The Executive Branch Who: The President and the Vice President Barack Obama and Joe Biden

Term Presidents serve a term of 4 years They have a limit of only serving two terms

Duties Makes decisions about: –F–Foreign policy (outside our country) –D–Domestic policy (inside our country) Signs or vetos bills

How are they chosen? National election using the electoral college

Facts Obama is our 44th President No women have YET to be President Must be 35 years of age Must be a natural born citizen.

The Legislative Branch The Senate 100 – 2 from each state House of Representatives – based on the population of each state - So the more people you have living in your state the more representatives U.S. Congress

Term Senators - 6 years Representatives - 2 years There is no term limits, serve as long as they are re-elected.

Duties Make laws Listen to what people want Declare war In charge of impeachment

How Are They Chosen? They are elected within the states/districts by popular vote.

Facts MN senators = Amy Klobuchar (D) & Al Franken (D) MN has 8 representatives – Apple Valley HS area = John Kline (R) Robert C. Byrd was the longest serving Senator (51 years) John Dingell (rep) is currently serving in his 57 th year

The Judicial Branch The Supreme Court – 1 Chief Justice (John Roberts Jr.) – 8 Associate Justices

Term They serve for life…LIFE!

Duties They hear cases Decide what the Constitution means Make decision on cases that help form and negate laws

How Chosen? Appointed by President Approved by the Senate

Facts Created in 1789 Only 3 women have ever served William O. Douglas served for 36 years G.W. appointed 11 justices F.D.R. appointed 9 justices