The Constitution Chapter 10

The Constitutional Convention Chapter 10 Lesson 1

Reasons for Change The national government was too weak and could not keep order or protect the people Ideas for change Convention in Philadelphia in May 1787 Goal: Fix the Articles of Confederation

The Work Begins Creating the Constitution Major decisions Needed a brand new constitution Needed to strengthen the federal system The powers the national and state governments would share The constitution helped found the American republic People would choose the representatives to run the government

A Major Debate Disagreement about how each state would be represented in congress Virginia Plan Number of state representatives would be based on a state’s population New Jersey Plan Each state would have equal representation or the same amount of representatives in congress

Working Together The Great Compromise Combined the ideas behind the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan to make both large and small states happy One house based on state’s population House of Representatives One house would have equal representation Senate

Compromises on Slavery Disagreements developed between the southern and northern states Should slaves be counted as part of a state’s population Three-Fifths Compromise Three-fifths (3 out of 5) of the total number of slaves in each state would be counted as part of the population Slave trade with other countries banned after 1808

Three-Fifths Compromise

Three Branches of Government Chapter 10 Lesson 2

The Preamble First words: Purpose of the Constitution Key principals We the People of the United States of America Purpose of the Constitution Create a fair form of government Key principals Secure liberty or freedom Establish justice or fairness Ensure peace Defend the nation against enemies Work for the common good

Article 1 The Legislative Branch Two Houses House of Representatives Representation based on state population 435 members Senate Representation equal for each state 100 members Main power Makes laws

Article 2 the Executive Branch Chief Executive President Powers Commander in chief of military Enforce laws Veto bills: say no to bills

Article 3 The Judicial Branch Created a Federal Court system Courts that deal with national laws, treaties, and the Constitution Highest court in the land is the Supreme Court Main Power Decides if laws follow the Constitution Citizens can add amendments or changes to the Constitution

The Bill of Rights Chapter 10 Lesson 3

The Struggle to Ratify Some delegates wanted to: Supporters promised: Limit the power of the federal government Protect people’s rights Supporters promised: To create a Bill of Rights after the Constitution was ratified or passed

The Vote of Approval Delaware was the first state to ratify Federalists wanted a strong federal government Anti-Federalists feared a national government having too much power Ninth state ratified on June 21, 1788

Bill of Rights 10 Amendments Purpose Added to the Constitution in 1791 Protect the rights of the people Added to the Constitution in 1791 Reserved powers belong to the states or people

Bill of Rights Amendment 1 Basic Freedoms Freedom of speech, religion, press, peaceful assembly, and redress of grievances Amendment 2 Weapons and Militia Right to own a gun

Bill of Rights Amendment 3 Housing Soldiers People cannot be forced to quarter or house soldiers during times of peace Amendment 4 Searches & Seizures Police cannot enter your home and search your personal belongings with a warrant A warrant is a legal document from a judge granting police permission to search

Bill of Rights Amendment 5 Rights of Accused Persons A person is innocent until proven guilty People cannot be tried for the same crime twice Double jeopardy People do not have to testify against themselves “Taking the 5th” Amendment 6 Right to a Fair Trial Every person has the right to a speedy, public trial by jury Miranda Rights Must be told why you are being arrested Must be provided with a lawyer

Bill of Rights Amendment 7 Jury Trial in Civil Cases If being sued for more than $20 you must have a trial by jury Civil Trial = cases where people are fighting over money, property or personal injury Amendment 8 Bail and Punishment Criminals cannot be punished in cruel or unusual ways No unreasonable bail Bail is money people pay to guarantee the accused will appear at the trial

Bill of Rights Amendment 9 Rights of the People Courts have the right to protect personal rights not exactly stated in the Bill of Rights Amendment 10 Powers of the State and the People Any powers not given to the federal government belong to the states or the people

The New Government First President George Washington in 1789 Federal government moved to Washington D.C. in 1800 Second President John Adams

Constitutional Democracy Chapter 10 Lesson 4

Sharing Powers The federal government’s power is shared between the 3 branches Why? This keeps one part of the government from getting too powerful

Checks and Balances This system keeps one branch from getting too powerful Each branch has ways to check each other

State Powers Any powers not given to the federal government belong to the states or to the people

State and Local Governments Three levels of government Federal State Local All levels of government can collect taxes

Rights and Responsibilities Government gets its power from the people In order for the government to work we must: Vote Have civic virtue or support a healthy democracy by Obeying laws Serving on juries Paying taxes Help control the government