1. 7th Grade Social Studies
A More Perfect Union

2. The Articles of Confederation
Essential Question:
How effective was government under the Articles of Confederation?

3. From Independent States to a Republic
MAIN IDEA: The Articles of Confederation created a weak central government and strong state governments

5. Washington, D.C.

6. Limiting Power States divided the government’s responsibilities
Governor
Bicameral Legislature
Two house legislature used to divide government even further
wanted to limit government and keep power in the hands of the people

7. Forming a Republic
Americans agreed that their country should be a republic
A government in which citizens rule through elected representatives
People assumed the states would act like independent countries only coming together to wage wars or handle foreign affairs

8. Planning a New Government
Articles of Confederation adopted on March 1, 1781
States kept most of their power
“a firm league of friendship”

9. Analyzing Features of the Articles of Confederation
No Chief Executive
Why was this included?
To avoid putting too much power in the hands of one person
Possible problems with this feature…
Lack of leadership from central government. No single leader for the government.

10. Analyzing Features of the Articles of Confederation
Laws needed approval by nine of the 13 states
Why was this included?
Wanted to protect individual states’ power. Fear of a strong central government.
Possible problems with this feature…
Difficult to get any laws passed

11. Analyzing Features of the Articles of Confederation
Congress did not have the power to tax citizens. It could only request tax money from the states.
Why was this included?
Fear of over taxation due to past abuses by the British government.
Possible problems with this feature…
Government does not have the money it needs to handle issue that arise.

12. Analyzing Features of the Articles of Confederation
Congress did not have the power to draft an army. It could only request states to send men for military service.
Why was this included?
Fear of a central government with a strong army that might take away citizens rights.
Possible problems with this feature…
Difficult to handle foreign affairs or ward off attacks from other nations with a weak military.

13. Analyzing Features of the Articles of Confederation
No national court system.
Why was this included?
Fear of a central government with a court system that might be unfair to the rights of states.
Possible problems with this feature…
Difficult for states to function with the same laws and expectations.

14. Analyzing Features of the Articles of Confederation
Any amendments (changes) to the Articles must be approved by all 13 states
Why was this included?
Wanted to ensure that all states had a say in changes to the Articles
Possible problems with this feature…
Difficult to get anything done or make adjustments to changing times

15. Analyzing Features of the Articles of Confederation
Congress did not have the power to collect state debts owed to the federal government.
Why was this included?
Fear of a strong central government that could force states to pay for things they didn’t want.
Possible problems with this feature…
Central government had no way to pay back debts to other countries

16. Analyzing Features of the Articles of Confederation
Congress did not have the power to settle disputes among states.
Why was this included?
Fear of a strong central government that took power away from the states.
Possible problems with this feature…
Disputes among states often could not be resolved. Created disunity among states.

17. Convention and Compromise
Essential Question:
Why is the Constitution a document of compromise?

18. A Call for Change
The government under the Articles of Confederation faced many problems
US experiences a depression
Southern plantations damaged during the war
Trade declined when British cut off the West Indies
What little money they had went to paying off debt

19. Trouble for Farmers Americans farmers suffered
Could not sell their goods
Had their land taken when they couldn’t pay high state taxes
Many put in jail
Eventually, they started to rebel

20. Shay’s Rebellion
1786 –Farmers in Massachusetts forced courts to close so judges could not imprison anyone
1787 – Shays leads more than 1,000 farmers to Springfield, Massachusetts in search of weapons and ammunition
State militia fired on farmers, killing four and ending the rebellion
worried Americans that government could not control unrest or prevent violence

22. The Issue of Slavery
Revolutionary War ideals caused many people to question slavery
1774 – Quakers organized the first Americans anti-slavery society
Many northern states adopted laws that gradually end slavery

23. Constitutional Convention
George Washington chosen to preside over the meetings to change the Articles
Each state had one vote
Meetings were not open to the public
No women, African Americans or Native Americans

24. The Great Compromise
Agreement proposed to solve issue of representation between big and small states
Lower house – House of Representatives – seats for each state would be based on representation
Upper house – The Senate – each state has two members

25. Capitol Building

26. The Three-Fifths Compromise
Compromise on how to count enslaved people as part of a state’s population
Three Fifths Compromise
Count enslaved people as 3/5 of a person for taxation and representation

27. The Slave Trade
Northern states banned slave trade and wanted Southern states to do the same
Slave trade was essential to Southern economy
Northerners agreed not to
interfere in the slave trade
until 1808

28. Approving the Constitution
Committee finished writing the Constitution on September 17, 1787 and assembled in Philadelphia to sign
James Madison = “Father of the Constitution”
Sent to the states for approval
9 of 13 states required for adoption

30. Making Connections
1. What key issues had to be resolved to create a Constitution most states would accept?
2. Why is the Constitution a document of compromise?

31. Partner Discussions
Why was the Articles of Confederation considered weak?
No power to tax, no chief executive, no ability to solve disputes between states
Which weakness is the most significant? Why?
What are you going to do over break!?
Name a time in your life when you had to compromise.

32. Partner Discussions
Why is our Constitution considered a document of compromise?
What is your favorite TV show or movie?
Why is it important for a society to have laws?
Tell your partner something they do not know about you.
What do you think are the most important national security threats to the US at this time (ISIS, North Korea, Climate Change, etc.)

33. A New Plan of Government
Essential Question:
Why does the Constitution divide power among branches of government?

34. Branches
The Constitution divides and limits its power among three branches of government
Legislative Branch: Makes the Laws
Executive Branch : Enforces the Laws
Judicial Branch: Interprets the Laws

35. Debate and Adoption
A great debate took place throughout the country as 9 out of the 13 states had to ratify the new Constitution
Federalists
Supporters of the new Constitution
George Washington and Benjamin Franklin
Anti-federalists
Afraid a strong national government would take away American liberties
Favored local governments

36. Adopting the Constitution
Several states approved the Constitution only with the understanding that it would include a Bill of Rights amendment
Something added to a document
May 1790 – The nation celebrated its new government

37. Making Connections
Why does the Constitution divide power among branches of government?

38. Article One of the Constitution:
The Legislative Branch and how a bill becomes a law!

39. Purpose
1. Article One of the Constitution describes how laws are made in our country.
2. It created the Legislative Branch of the Federal, or national government.
3. This Branch is also known as Congress.
4. It meets in the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C., our nation’s capital.
5. Congress has two houses or parts: the Senate and the House of Representatives.

41. The Senate 1. Each state gets two Senators who serve a six year term.
2. This means there are 100 Senators in the country.
3. New York State’s Senators are Chuck Schumer and Kristen Gillibrand.

42. New York State Senators

43. United States Senate

44. The House of Representatives
1. Each state gets a different amount based upon the size of its population.
2. The citizens are counted every ten years in what is called a census.
3. There are are 435 members of the House who serve a 2 year term.
4. New York has 29 members – Chris Collins represents Alden.

45. House of Representatives

46. How a Bill becomes a Law
1. It must be approved by the House and Senate, then signed by the President.
2. If the President refuses to sign it, it is know as a veto.
3. With 2/3 vote, Congress can override that veto.

47. Article II: The Executive Branch
Enforces the laws!

48. President 1. Term of Office – four years 2. Qualifications
a. 35 years old
b. Natural born citizen
c. Resident of the U.S. for 14 years
3. Vacancy – the Vice President takes over
4. Our President is chosen through a system named the electoral college
5. The President, Judges and Cabinet members may be impeached and removed from office for committing major crimes in office.

50. Powers and Duties of the President
A. Enforces the laws
B. Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces
C. Make treaties (must be approved by 2/3 of the Senate)
D. Appoint Supreme Court Judges (must be approved by the Senate)
E. Grant pardons

51. Cabinet Departments State: relations with foreign nations
Treasury: makes money, collects taxes, Secret Service
Defense: directs and controls armed forces
Justice: enforcement of laws
Human Services: runs programs for the poor and elderly
Labor: job safety, unemployment, minimum wage, etc.
Other Cabinet Departments: Agriculture, Transportation, Energy, Veterans Affairs, Education, Housing and Urban Development, Commerce, Interior

52. The Bill of Rights
The Bill of Rights is the name for the first ten amendments to the United States Constitution. It is a series of limitations on the power of the United States federal government, protecting the natural rights of liberty and property.

53. The First Amendment
Freedom of speech

54. The First Amendment
Freedom of the press

55. The First Amendment
Freedom of religion

56. The First Amendment
Freedom of assembly

57. The First Amendment
Freedom to petition the government

58. The Second Amendment
Right to bear arms

59. The Third Amendment
Protection against quartering troops

60. The Fourth Amendment
Protection from unreasonable search and seizure

61. The Fifth Amendment Due Process Double Jeopardy Self-incrimination
No citizen may be denied his or her legal rights
Double Jeopardy
The subjecting of a person to a second trial or punishment for the same offense for which the person has already been tried or punished.
Self-incrimination
Exposing oneself to prosecution

62. The Sixth Amendment
Trial by jury and other rights of the accused

63. The Seventh Amendment
Civil Trial By Jury

64. The Eighth Amendment
Prohibition of excessive bail, as well as cruel and unusual punishment

65. The Ninth Amendment
Protection of rights not specifically enumerated in the Bill of Rights

66. The Tenth Amendment Powers of states and people
Powers not given to the federal government belong to the states
Powers reserved to the states are not listed in the Constitution