The Constitution

Articles of Confederation First Government of the United States Consisted of a One House Legislature No Judicial or Executive Branch

Articles of Confederation Limited Government (Weak Central Government) Gov’t could not regulate trade or Collect Taxes Majority of the Power Belonged To States

Growing Problem Due to not being able to collect taxes the gov’t did not have any money Shay’s Rebellion

Constitutional Convention Philadelphia 1787 55 delegates from 12 States Aim of the Convention was to REVISE the Articles of Confederation.

Virginia Plan Proposed plan for a new stronger central gov’t (James Madison) Three Branches of Government Legislative Two House Legislature (based on population) Executive Judicial

New Jersey Plan Plan called for a Single House legislature with equal representation Also would expand powers of Congress to allow gov’t to raise money and regulate commerce

Great Compromise

Great Compromise Two House Legislature Judicial Branch House of Representatives based on population Senate each state has two seats Judicial Branch Executive Branch

Issue of Slavery Three-Fifths Compromise Slave Trade Each slave counts as three-fifths a person Slave Trade Slave trade allowed to continue for a period of 20 years

Federalists vs Antifederalists Supporters of the Constitution

Federalists vs Antifederalists Afraid the Constitution would weaken the states Wanted Bill of Rights to ensure protection of basic freedoms

Bill of Rights First Ten Amendments to the Constitution Aims to protect people against the abuses of the Federal Government

1st Amendment Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances

1st Amendment Freedom of religion, speech, press, and the right to peacefully assemble

2nd Amendment A well-regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.

2nd Amendment The right to bear arms

3rd Amendment No soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law

3rd Amendment The government cannot force people to allow soldiers to live in their house

4th Amendment The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probably cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched and the persons or things to be seized

4th Amendment Protection from unreasonable searches and seizures Warrant is needed in order to be able to perform a search

5th Amendment No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use without just compensation

5th Amendment A person cannot be a witness against himself A person cannot be tried twice for the same crime (double jeopardy)

6th Amendment In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation, to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense.

6th Amendment Right to a speedy trial Right to counsel (lawyer)

7th Amendment In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury shall be otherwise re-examined in any court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law

7th Amendment Right to a trial by jury

8th Amendment Excessive bail shall not be required nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted

8th Amendment No cruel and unusual punishment

9th Amendment The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

9th Amendment People have more rights than what are listed in the Constitution, and those rights are also protected by the Constitution.

10th Amendment The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people

10th Amendment If a power is not given to the Federal Government by the Constitution, then that power belongs to the states. (ex: Schools)