The Principles of the United States Constitution

Articles of Confederation A loose association of states

Weaknesses of the Confederation Our first government founded 1781 No ability to tax means U.S. can Not pay bills Cannot regulate trade/commerce between states Can NOT establish treaties, post offices, and a common currency – each state has its own money Every state has one vote

Events Leading to a New Constitution Border disputes among states Disagreements between states Treaty violations of Great Britain Barbary Pirates effect trade Shay’s Rebellion Annapolis Convention Agreement for another convention

Constitutional Convention Philadelphia meeting of delegates Meet in secret George Washington made president of the convention Virginia Plan & New Jersey Plan Constitution becomes a Bundle of Compromises Factions become our political parties: -- Federalists and Anti-Federalists

I. Popular Sovereignty The people hold the ultimate authority A representative democracy lets the people elect leaders to make decisions for them. “We THE PEOPLE” Power comes from the people and WE GIVE it to the GOVERNMENT when we VOTE for representatives!

II. Limited Government Framers wanted to guard against tyranny Government is limited to the power given them in the Constitution. The Constitution tells how leaders who overstep their power can be removed

III. Federalism The division of power between State and National Governments Some powers are shared The National Government has the “supreme power”

Recipe for Success or What’s in it for Me? Article One provides for: Legislative Branch of government Congress power and authority Elastic clause – “Necessary & Proper” States remain sovereign (they have control) in some matters Some Powers denied federal and state government Taxes Ability to conduct war

Legislative Branch Senate and House of Representatives Make our laws Appropriate Money Regulate Immigration Establish Post Offices and Roads Regulate Interstate Commerce and Transportation Declare War

Article 2 - Executive Executive Branch Terms of office Elections Salaries Oath of office Powers of the president Ability to make treaties and appointments

Executive Branch The President of the United States Chief Executive Chief of State Chief Legislator Commander in Chief

Article 3 Judicial Branch Federal Courts Jurisdiction Supreme Court Jury Trials

Judicial Branch Supreme Court and other Federal Courts Preserve and protect the rights guaranteed by the Constitution Considers cases involving national laws Declares laws and acts “unconstitutional”

Article 4 Explains the powers of the state Mutual duties and privileges Extradition Fugitive slave clause New states and territories Federal protection for states Amending process

Article 5 National Supremacy Public debts and treaties Supreme law Oaths of Office

Article 6 Ratification of the constitution Signing of the delegates Bill of Rights necessary and promised by Federalists to secure final ratification of the constitution

The Bill of Rights These are the first 10 changes to the original constitution Designed to PROTECT US FROM THE ACTIONS OF THE GOVERNMENT

Bill of rights = The first 10 Amendments to the Constitution 1. Right to free speech, right to free press, to assemble in groups, to worship as you wish, to petition the government when you think they have harmed you 2. Right to bear arms – protect from govt. 3. Quartering of troops – need search warrants 4. Search and seizures – warrants need probable cause 5. Rights of accused persons 6. Right to a speedy trial 7. Civil suits

Bill of Rights Contd. 8. Bail and punishment 9. Powers reserved to the people (the people’s rights are not limited to those mentioned in the written document) 10. Powers reserved to the state (protects the states and the people from a too powerful central government/ a check on the “necessary and proper clause” in Article I)

IV. Separation of Powers No one branch holds “too much” power Legislative branch makes the laws Executive branch carries out the laws Legislative branch interprets the laws

V. Checks and Balances Prevents the abuse of power in government Each branch can check each other branch

Legislative Checks Override president’s veto Ratify treaties Confirm executive appointments Impeach federal officers and judges Create and dissolve lower federal courts

Executive Checks Propose laws to Congress Veto laws made by Congress Negotiate foreign treaties Appoint federal judges Grant pardons to federal offenders

Judicial Checks Declare executive acts unconstitutional Declare laws unconstitutional Declare acts of Congress unconstitutional The Supreme Court holds the final check