The Constitution & the Bill of Rights

WHO GOVERNS? WHO GOVERNS? 1. What is the difference between a democracy and a republic? 2. What branch of government has the greatest power? TO WHAT ENDS? TO WHAT ENDS? 1. Does the Constitution tell us what goals the government should serve? 2. Whose freedom does the Constitution protect?

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The Problem of Liberty The Colonial Mind The Colonial Mind Men will seek power because they are ambitious, greedy and easily corruptedMen will seek power because they are ambitious, greedy and easily corrupted The Real Revolution The Real Revolution Weaknesses of the Confederation Weaknesses of the Confederation Articles of Confederation 1781Articles of Confederation 1781

Signing the Declaration of Independence, painted by John Trumbull. © PoodlesRock/Fine Art/Corbis

North America in 1787

In 1775, British and American troops exchange fire in Lexington, Massachusetts, the first battle of the War of Independence. Bettmann/CORBIS

Shays’s Rebellion in western Massachusetts in 1786–1787 stirred deep fears of anarchy in America. The ruckus was put down by a hastily assembled militia, and the rebels were eventually pardoned. Bettmann/Corbis

The Constitutional Convention The Lessons of Experience The Lessons of Experience State ConstitutionsState Constitutions Shays’s RebellionShays’s Rebellion The Framers The Framers 55 delegates, RI did not send a delegate55 delegates, RI did not send a delegate

Independence Hall in Philadelphia. Andre Jenny/Alamy

The Constitution and Democracy Republican Form of Government Republican Form of Government Key PrinciplesKey Principles Federalism Federalism Enumerated powers Enumerated powers Reserved powers Reserved powers Concurrent powers Concurrent powers Government And Human Nature Government And Human Nature Separation of powersSeparation of powers Checks and balancesChecks and balances

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The Challenge During the ratification process, many were understandably wary of the powers the new government might wield. Their aversion to a powerful central government during the colonial period indeed led to the creation of the much weaker United States government under the Articles of Confederation.

The Antifederalist View The Antifederalist View Need for a Bill of Rights Need for a Bill of Rights es/APGovernmentPolitics/course% 20files/multimedia/lesson06/lesso np.html es/APGovernmentPolitics/course% 20files/multimedia/lesson06/lesso np.html es/APGovernmentPolitics/course% 20files/multimedia/lesson06/lesso np.html es/APGovernmentPolitics/course% 20files/multimedia/lesson06/lesso np.html The Constitution and Liberty Ratification of the Federal Constitution by State Conventions,

Their Compromise Thus, in exchange for ratification, it was agreed that the first action Congress would take under the new government would be to pass a series of amendments designed to protect the people of the states from having their rights trampled upon by the federal government.

Their Compromise Originally, twelve amendments to the Constitution were proposed in that first session of Congress (James Madison himself put forth a list of 17). In the end, ten received the 2/3 majority vote required in both houses. These amendments were then sent to the states for ratification. All ten were ratified by all the states by The Bill of Rights was born.twelve

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Reducing the Separation of Powers Reducing the Separation of Powers Increase presidential authorityIncrease presidential authority Lengthen terms for members of the U.S. House of RepresentativesLengthen terms for members of the U.S. House of Representatives Making the System Less Democratic Making the System Less Democratic Balanced Budget AmendmentBalanced Budget Amendment Line-item vetoLine-item veto Constitutional Reform: Modern Views

Did you know? Since 1791, there have literally been thousands of constitutional amendments proposed in Congress. But only 23 have been passed and sent to the states for ratification. Of those, 17 became the law of the land, and one - the 21st Amendment - repealed another, the 18th (prohibition). thousands23 have been passed