The United States Constitution
“If men were angels no government would be necessary” James Madison Is it Necessary? “If men were angels no government would be necessary” James Madison
The Convention James Madison of Virginia Alexander Hamilton of New York Philadelphia May 1787 “for the sole purpose of revising the Articles of Confederation” The task: Balance rights of states with need for a stronger national government
The Founders 55 Delegates Lawyers, merchants, planters 7 served as state governors 39 had been members of the Congress 8 had signed the DOI George Washington was selected to preside Ben Franklin was the oldest
The Convention Philadelphia, PA Independence Hall Meetings were closed to the public James Madison kept the written record
The Plan Virginia Plan: Intro by Edmund Randolph New gov. that could bind laws upon the states and tax Legislature would be two houses Representation would be determined by population New Jersey Plan Modify Articles Single house w/equal representation Power to raise taxes and regulate trade
Connecticut Compromise The Compromises Connecticut Compromise List key details 3/5 Compromise Trade Compromise
A New Government Based on popular sovereignty A representative system Federalism A separation of powers: Legislative, executive, judicial Provided an amendment process
The Constitution Overview Article One: legislative Article Two: executive Article Three: judicial Article Four: relations among states Article Five: amendment process Article Six: supremacy Article Seven: ratification
House of Representatives *For each branch give requirements for office, term, powers Three Branches Legislative Executive Judicial Senate President House of Representatives V.P. Cabinet Supreme Court
The Electoral College Based on state by state election Electoral vote is determined by: #of representatives + # of senators To win must have a majority of electoral votes Today that means 270 Why would the election be based on this system rather than popular vote nation wide?
The Great Debate Federalists Names Arguments for Anti-Federalists Arguments against
Bill of Rights Secured the support of anti-federalists Passed during the first Congress Went into effect 1791 10 key amendments First 8 protected the individual from the government 10th amendment refers to states rights