#12 Ch.2.3 Notes: Confederation and the Constitution OBJECTIVE: Understand how America developed a new government.

Experimenting with Confederation The 2nd Continental Congress wrote the Articles of Confederation . Document outlining the first form of government of the United States. The U.S. could declare war, make peace, and sign treaties.

Articles of Confederation 1781-1789 5 Weaknesses 1) Too much power given to individual states. 2) Very little power given to federal government. 3) Large and small states each had one vote in Congress. 4) No national tax system 5) No leader of federal government

Shay’s Rebellion- Springfield, Mass. A tax protest by farmers, led by Daniel Shays, escalated into violence. State militia intervened. Result: States were convinced that the Articles of Confederation was ineffective. Need for stronger national government.

Creating a New Government Constitutional Convention: James Madison proposed the Virginia Plan (large states). More power given to large states. vs. William Paterson proposed the New Jersey Plan (small states). Equal power given to large and small states. Who Wins???

The Great Compromise- appeases both sides (large vs. small states). Two-house legislature Upper House: 2 Senators per state Lower House: House of Representatives based on state’s population.

NEXT MAJOR issue…. Should slaves count as members of a state’s population? Slave states say YES, non-slave say NO. The Three-Fifths Compromise allowed states to count three-fifths of their slaves as part of their population. Q) Why are so many compromises being made at the Constitutional Convention?

Power divided between the national government and states in a system called Federalism. A system of checks and balances (separation of powers) was created to prevent any branch from gaining too much power. Legislative (Congress): make laws. Executive (President): carry out laws. Judicial (Supreme Court): interpret laws.

Ratifying the Constitution Ratification of the Constitution required approval by 9 states. Federalists support the new Constitution. Anti-Federalists oppose the Constitution. They wanted a …. Bill of Rights: Consisted of 10 amendments that guarantee American rights and freedoms. Example: Freedom of Speech (1st Amendment)

Freedom of Religion The Establishment Clause in the First Amendment prohibits the government from establishing a state religion. --- Why is this important? Separation of Church and State Example: No organized prayer in public schools. The Free Exercise Clause in the First Amendment prohibits the government from not allowing people to exercise their religion. Example of a violation would be preventing people who believe in certain religions from holding government job.

Electoral College Electoral College a body of electors chosen to elect the President and Vice President. Each state’s electors is equal to their Senators and House of Reps. The bigger the state….. the more influence it will have on Presidential Elections Example: California has 55 electors while Idaho has 4. Goal is limit the power of the masses. Gives a voice to the population of smaller states.

2016 U. S. Presidential Election Map http://www. cnn

Continuing Relevance of the Constitution The Constitution has met the needs of the people for over 200 years. Called “Supreme Law of the Land” Elastic Clause-allows for flexibility to meet the changing needs of the people. Why is this important?

Bill of Rights FREEDOM TO: FREEDOM FROM: 1 2 3