1. U.S. History Review 4
Constitution

2. Articles of Confederation
Weaknesses:
Weak Central/Federal government (can’t enforce laws, no president and one vote per state in Congress)
No Money as a nation; each state had its own paper money
No National power to tax
No National army or navy
No National power to regulate commerce or trade between states; each state could put tariffs on trade between states
No National courts
Strengths:
First Constitution of the U.S.
Strong State Governments
National government can declare war, sign treaties and make peace
Can operate post offices
Northwest Ordinance 1787 – plan for the formation of new states

3. Shays’ Rebellion
Daniel Shays led farmers to protest against tax collections in Massachusetts
They were debt-ridden and couldn’t make their payments on their mortgages – didn’t want to lose their farms to creditors
showed the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation
This led to the call to revise the Articles

4. Constitutional Convention
The Great Compromise – also known as the Connecticut Plan
Two house legislature
Equal representation in the Senate and based on population in the House
Virginia Plan (supported by large states)
3 branches of government
Executive, Judiciary and Legislative (population determined the number of members in the House and Senate)
New Jersey Plan (supported by small states)
Equal representation in Congress
One House Legislature VS

5. Constitutional Convention
3/5 Compromise
- a slave would count as 3/5 person when determining House representation and direct taxes by states to the federal government
South – wanted slaves to count as people to gain more representatives in Congress
North – unfair since slaves were considered property

6. Federalist vs. Antifederalists
Federalist – support the ratification of the Constitution
Antifederalist – oppose the ratification of the Constitution

7. ratification of the Constitution
Federalists (Favored)
Antifederalists (Opposed)
Strong National government - Limiting state power
Bill of Rights not necessary
National government could properly manage debt
Big business support
Central banking system
Too much government power; Took too much power from the states
Needed a BILL OF RIGHTS to protect individuals
Support of farmers and small rural communities
States should manage their own money

8. Ratification Federalist Papers:
- Newspaper essays written about the U.S. government in support of the Constitution
Antifederalist Writings:
- opposed ratification because they believed in limited power of the national government

9. Bill of Rights 1st Amendment:
Freedom of Speech, Press, Religion, Petition and Assembly
2nd Amendment:
Right to bear arms
3rd Amendment:
Protection from quartering troops
4th Amendment:
Protection from unreasonable search and seizure
5th Amendment: Grand jury, protection from self incrimination
6th Amendment: Right to a jury for criminal trial, speedy trial
7th Amendment: Right to a jury in civil cases
8th Amendment: No cruel and unusual punishment, excessive bail
9th Amendment: Protection of rights not stated in the Constitution
10th Amendment: Powers not listed go to the states and people

10. Government and Citizenship
Judicial Review:
- review by the U.S. Supreme Court of the constitutional validity of a legislative act
Due Process:
- fair treatment through the normal judicial system
Civic Duty:
- expectation of every member of society (jury duty, taxes, voting, volunteering)

11. 7 Principles of the Constitution
Federalism: power of the government is shared between the states and national government
Separation of Powers: Split the powers of the government into three branches; Executive, Legislative and Judicial branches
Limited Government: placed strict limits on government to protect the people
Individual Rights: the first 10 amendments of the Constitution protect individuals rights against the power of the government
Republicanism: Government in which the desires of people are represented in government by elected representatives
Popular Sovereignty: Means the government was created by the people in order to govern themselves
Checks and Balances: Each branch makes sure the others are working the way they are supposed to

12. Amending the Constitution
Proposed:
#1 – Amendments Proposed in Either of 2 ways:
- By Congress – whenever 2/3 of both Houses deem it necessary Or
- By a Convention – called by Congress on the application of 2/3 of the state legislatures
Ratified:
#2 – Amendments Ratified in Either of 2 ways:
- By Legislatures – of ¾ of the states Or
- By Conventions – in ¾ of the states (whichever mode of ratification may be proposed by Congress)