1. Focus Question: How did the writers of the Constitution create a government that was stronger than the Articles of Confederation, but not too strong?
HW:
p. 53 in packet.

2. Focus Question: How did the writers of the Constitution create a government that was stronger than the Articles of Confederation, but not too strong?
Do Now:
Read the Preamble to the Constitution and complete the graphic organizer (handout).

3. Preamble to the Constitution
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, 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.

4. People created a government that was too weak
Declaration of Independence, 1776
Articles of Confederation 1777
The Constitution, 1787
People rejected a strong government
People created a stronger government, with limits

5. James Madison “father of the Constitution” said,
“The accumulation (gathering) of all powers, legislative, executive, and judiciary, in the same hands, whether of one, a few, or many, and whether hereditary, self-appointed, or elective, may justly (fairly) be pronounced the very definition of tyranny (oppression).”

6. Separation of Powers
The government is divided into three branches:
Legislative
Makes laws
Congress
Executive
Enforces laws
President
Judicial
Interprets laws
Supreme Court
A bicameral Congress = divided into two “houses”: the Senate and the House of Representatives
Each branch has certain jobs and responsibilities that are different from the other branches

7. Powers of the 3 Branches Graphic Organizer
LEGISLATIVE: find 5 items Article I, Section 8 (p. 47 & 48) EXECUTIVE: find 2 items Article II, Sections 2 and 3 (p.48) JUDICIAL: find 3 items Article III (p.48)