1. UNIT 3: SYSTEMS OF GOVERNMENT

2. The first Constitution; why did it fail? THE ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION

3.  First written constitution of the US.  March 1, 1781  Continental Congress recognized the need to establish guidelines for a new government.  They did not want a strong centralized body, like the British Parliament. THE ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION

4.  It provided structure for governing a new nation.  The limitations of the Articles of Confederation became readily apparent soon after their implementation. THE ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION

5.  A group of states united under a weak central government. WHAT DOES THE WORD CONFEDERATION MEAN?

6. State Government Powers  Taxation  Create a state court system  Enforce laws passed by Congress  All powers not delegated to the national government National Government Powers  Limited powers  Declare war and wage war  Make treaties  Settle disputes between states  Petition, or request, money from the states (but no power to collect)  Direct the operations of land and naval forces. ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION ORGANIZER

7.  National government cannot impose or collect taxes  No national currency  No national court system  No executive branch  No power to regulate trade among the states  One vote per state regardless of population  Two thirds majority (nine of thirteen states) needed to pass laws  Unanimous consent (thirteen states) needed to amend the Articles of Confederation WEAKNESSES OF THE ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION

8.  Under the Articles of Confederation, how did the national government fund its programs?  What did the monetary system look like?  How were national laws enforced?  How were amendments to the Articles enacted?  What was necessary to pass new laws?  What was the role of the executive branch? QUESTIONS

9.  What were the Articles of Confederation?  When and where were the Articles written?  What were the strengths and weaknesses of the Articles?  What were the challenges of governing the country under the Articles? SUMMARYSUMMARY

10.  1787 Congress called for states to send delegates to Philadelphia, with instructions to revise the Articles.  55 representatives participated  All states except Rhode Island (they refused to send anyone)  They were going to debate the pros and cons of the current government.  They did so in private, technically they were being treasonous by trying to get rid of the Articles. WHAT DID THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS DO THE ADDRESS THE PROBLEMS WITH THE ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION?

11. The Preamble, Article I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, The Bill of Rights & Amendments THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

12. THE PREAMBLE TO THE U.S. CONSTITUTION

13.  We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defenses, promote the general welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.~ Gouverneur Morris, PA THE PREAMBLE TO THE U.S. CONSTITUTION

14. The Bottom Line  The Preamble is not a law.  It is a statement that reflects what the Constitution is meant to accomplish. P.20 Why Should I Care?  The Preamble sums up who we are and what we stand for as a country. P.20 PREAMBLE

15.  “We the People of the United States of America”: This is a new idea, including the people  “To form a more perfect Union”: The goal of the Constitution was to unify the states in all areas e.g. Commerce, national security, currency  “Establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense”: The job requirements of the government  “Promote the general welfare”: Promote versus Provide to the conditions for a life of freedom.  “Secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity”: The Constitution limits the power of the government so the freedoms of the people are protected. P.20-21 BREAKING DOWN THE PREAMBLE

16. Outlining the new government of the United States of America ARTICLES I-VII OF THE CONSTITUTION

17.  They recognized that the Articles of Confederation was not working and it needed to be changed.  James Madison wanted to have 3 different branches of government that were constantly checking each other.  Legislative-makes law  Judicial-interprets law  Executive-enforces law WHAT WERE THE FOUNDING FATHERS THINKING?

18. The Bottom Line  The LEGISLATIVE BRANCH is broken down into two separate branches: a bicameral legislature made up of the House and Senate. Why Should I care?  Thanks to our Founding Fathers we have people in Washington D.C. who are listening to our needs.  James Madison is known as the father of the Constitution. ARTICLE I: SETTING UP CONGRESS

19. Conflict  The number of representatives would be based on population. States such as Delaware and New Hampshire Compromise  The Great Compromise of 7/29/1787 accepted the bicameral legislature.  The House would be based on population  The Senate would have equal numbers of representatives per state.(2) ARTICLE I SETTING UP CONGRESS

20. Clauses 1&2  Members of the House of Representatives must be at least 25 years old and re-election will take place every 2 years.  Which region of the U.S. was most affected by the 3/5 clause? Why? Clause 3  Three-Fifths Clause  The number of representatives in the House will be based on the population of the state. Each free person counted as one and slaves counted as 3/5 of a person. ARTICLE I: SETTING UP CONGRESS

21.  Powers of the Congress  Pick the leader of the House  Impeachment  Coin money  Establish federal courts (under the Supreme Court)  Declare war  Create Washington DC as the nations sovereign capital  Create law  Senators are elected every 6 years  The Vice President presides over the Senate and is the tie breaker if needed.  Congress must meet at least once a year.  Presidential veto power.  Levy and collect taxes  Borrow money on US credit.  Regulate trade  Citizenship requirements  Bankruptcy ARTICLE I: SETTING UP CONGRESS WHICH OF THESE WOULD YOU USE TO MAKE A TOP 5 POWERS LIST?

22.  Slave Trade Clause prohibits the slave trade in the U.S. after 1808  As you can see Article I has a ton of clauses, so many we are not going to list them all (there are so many more!).  So each class will vote for their top 5 and then I will compile the results. ARTICLE I: SETTING UP CONGRESS

23.  Made up of the President, Vice President elected together, every 4 years.  The Process of Election  The Electoral College  Presidential Requirements  Chain of Command  Oath of Office  Commander in chief of the Military  Power to make treaties  Can be impeached ARTICLE II: EXECUTIVE BRANCH

24.  A body of electors from each state, who vote for the president based on which candidate received the majority vote in their state.  The number of voters matches the number of reps in Congress THE ELECTOR COLLEGE

25.  Natural born citizen of the United States  At least 35 years old  14 years minimum living in U.S. REQUIREMENTS FOR BECOMING PRESIDENT

26.  The head of this branch is the Supreme Court  The job of the Supreme Court is to decipher the constitutionality of the laws passed by Congress and the President.  Without it, unconstitutional laws could be passed and could significantly invade personal freedoms.  They have appellate jurisdiction over other cases.  Trial by jury is reserved to the state.  Treason is defined and punishment for traitors ARTICLE III: THE JUDICIAL POWER

27.  Ensures that states work together in order to resolve legal issues.  Keeps citizens rights from changing when traveling from state to state. This includes criminal movement as well.  Allows new states to join the Union.  Ensures that republican government rules both states and nation. ARTICLE IV: ACTING NEIGHBORLY

28.  The founding fathers knew they couldn’t address everything in the Constitution, so they built in this ability to amend the document when the majority thinks it’s necessary. ARTICLE V: CHANGING THE CONSTITUTION

29.  This establishes credibility for the Constitution and that it protects the people.  The Constitution is the supreme law of the land. Whether at state or national level, the Constitution rules them all. ARTICLE VI: LAW OF THE LAND

30.  Describes how this document, the United States Confederation, was to be ratified, or approved, by the states after its completion.  The Constitution was set in place on April 30, 1789, despite the fact that North Carolina and Rhode Island had not yet ratified the new law of the land. ARTICLE VII: MAKING IT OFFICIAL

31.  Confederation  Limitations  Treasonous  Preamble  Constitution  James Madison  Bicameral Legislature  Great Compromise of July 29, 1787  Legislative Branch  Impeachment  veto  Sovereign  Decipher  Constitutionality  Appellate  treason VOCABULARY&IDSVOCABULARY&IDS

32.  Colonial Williamsburg Electronic Field Trips Lesson 1: A More Perfect Union 2009  “Our Constitution Rocks” Juliette Turner, 2012 RESOURCES