Unit 4: A New Nation - The Constitution

Bell Ringer: Why did the United States need to create a Constitution? https://youtu.be/bO7FQsCcbD8

Constitutional Convention Were the Articles of Confederation providing for an effective government? NO. Delegates decide to meet in Philadelphia in May 1787 to revise the Articles this becomes the Constitutional Convention where the U.S. new gov’t is created

Constitutional Convention Assembly of “Demigods” Thomas Jefferson referring to the convention greatest minds and most educated men in the nation 21 had fought in Revolutionary War, 7 had been state governors, most had served in Continental Congress, 8 had signed Declaration of Independence

Constitutional Convention Baron de Montesquieu French political philosopher during Enlightenment theory of separation of powers (executive, legislative, and judicial branches)

Constitutional Convention Virginia Plan proposed by James Madison favored by large states strong central (federal) gov’t bicameral legislature - representatives in BOTH houses determined by population “Father of the Constitution”

Constitutional Convention New Jersey Plan William Paterson favored by small states gave central gov’t more powers but kept basic structure of Articles unicameral legislature based on equal representation for states

Constitutional Convention The Great Compromise proposed by Roger Sherman combined elements of VA and NJ Plans to satisfy both large and small states bicameral legislature the Senate is based on equal representation (2 senators per state) the House of Representatives is based on population

Constitutional Convention Three Fifths (3/5s) Compromise counted each slave as three fifths of a person WHY? southern states wanted slaves counted toward their population for representation purposes

Constitutional Convention Slave Trade Compromise many delegates wanted the federal gov’t to outlaw the slave trade from Africa SC and GA threatened to walk out would not outlaw the trade until 1808 but could levy a tax of $10 on every imported slave

Constitutional Convention Electoral College why? didn’t trust common people to vote in best interests, wanted to give elite the final say the people (us!) vote for electors who then cast a vote for president # of electors for each state = number of representatives and senators in Congress (current NC # of electors?) http://www.hist ory.com/topics/ us- presidents/pres idential- elections/videos /ask-history- electoral-college

The Battle for Ratification The Constitution was completed after 4 months but it was not yet the law of the land. Constitution had to be ratified, or approved, by 9 out of the 13 states.

The Battle for Ratification Federalists supported the ratification of the Constitution wanted a strong central gov’t Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, John Jay

The Battle for Ratification The Federalist Papers series of 85 essays written by Hamilton, Madison, and Jay published under the name “Publius” explained why the Constitution was necessary

The Battle for Ratification If men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls on government would be necessary. In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men, the great difficulty lies in this: you must first enable the government to control the governed; and in the next place, oblige it to control itself. Federalist Papers #51

The Battle for Ratification Anti-Federalists opposed the ratification of the Constitution supported states’ rights Sam Adams, Patrick Henry

The Battle for Ratification Anti-federalist views: made the central gov’t too strong took away too much power from the states the president had too much power Congress was too small and could not accurately represent the people

The Battle for Ratification Principles of the Constitution: popular sovereignty limited gov’t federalism separation of powers checks and balances representative gov’t But as the Constitution is written in 1787, what vital part is it missing? BILL OF RIGHTS

The Battle for Ratification Bill of Rights added to the Constitution to ensure ratification protected the rights of the PEOPLE first 10 amendments to the Constitution approved in 1789 ratified in 1791

Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists Activity Creating a “T – Chart” Federalists & Antifederalists With a Pencil, label each box as FED or ANTI-FED. First group that gets it correct earns a prize.. Class review. Pick two colored pencils, one color for Federalists and one color for Anti-Federalists and shade each box correctly with which group the statement belongs.

Constitution & Constitutional Convention of 1787 WebQuest Review Virtual Day Assignment.