Birth of a Government “The Constitution is not an instrument for the government to restrain the people, it is an instrument for the people to restrain the government” -Patrick Henry

What’s the importance of September 17th in U.S. History? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejH1Xvw12sA Bellringer Code:CYVIMYQ1

What makes a nation? In common language nation means a large group of people united by : a common language ancestry history culture.  

What else could it mean to be a nation? Government Sovereignty the quality of having independent authority over a geographic area, such as a territory. the system by which a state or community is governed.

What was the purpose of the Convention of 1787? Delegates from 12 states attended the convention in Philadelphia. (Rhode Island did not attend) The goal of the convention was to address problems in the governing of the United States. By the end of the convention, they had scrapped the original governing document, The Articles of Confederation, and drafted a new document that is still in effect 226 years later. The two sides of the convention included: Anti- federalist Federalist

What were the opposing ideas of the Convention? New Jersey Plan Virginia Plan Bicameral congress two houses States were represented in the lower house and were proportional to population. Upper house was to be elected by lower house. Office of President and Federal Judges were created and elected on by congress. In favor of the large states. James Madison is the author of the Virginia plan. Unicameral congress one house States would have equal voting power. Presidency would consist of a committee elected by congress. Federal Judges would be appointed but the Presidency. In favor of the small states. William Paterson was the author of the New Jersey plan

The Great Compromise The final agreement of the Convention of 1787 that formed the United States Government of today. This compromise is also known as the Connecticut compromise. It combined both the Virginia and New Jersey plans. Creates the branches of government and their roles. 3/5 compromise For every 5 slaves, owners could count 3 of them for population. Run away slaves would be returned by the north. No new slaves would be imported. Slavery wouldn’t be expanded.

Branches of Government Executive President Head of a State/Government Legislature House of Representatives and Senate The Neck of a State/ Government Judicial System of courts Supreme court The Spine of State/ Government

Checks and Balances Each branch has a “job” or “power”: Executive It keeps every branch in “check,” so that no one branch becomes to powerful. Each branch has a “job” or “power”: Executive Commander and chief Veto Power Make laws Face of the State/ Government Legislative Makes laws Votes on if a bill should become law Passes national budget Has the power to declare war Judicial Interprets the law Has the power of Judicial review

“It is to be regretted that the rich and powerful too often bend the acts of government to their own selfish purposes.” -Andrew Jackson  “Laws are like sausages, it is better not to see them being made.” -Otto von Bismarck 

Protection of Civil Liberties The Bill of Rights is the first set of amendments to the constitution. The Bill of Rights was proposed to alleviate the fears of Anti-Federalists who had opposed Constitutional ratification. The amendments guarantee a number of personal freedoms, limit the government's power in judicial and other proceedings, and reserve some powers to the states and the public.

“It was...fun...”-James Kirk, on life, Star Trek: Generations “Knowledge will forever govern ignorance; and a people who mean to be their own governors must arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives.” -James Madison Take the test on CIITS tonight.  Code: CUFONE7