1. Chapter 2
The Constitution

2. Wanted: A government that…
Has enough power to do its job
Doesn’t give anyone too much power
Considers the needs of all states
Lets people have a voice
Protects individual rights

3. ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION
In 1777, the Americans wrote their first plan for government in a document called the
ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION

4. The Articles of Confederation
A confederation is a _________ of individuals _______ together for a _________.
group
united
purpose 4

5. The Articles of Confederation
Each state was _________________ and had its own ________________.
Each state would send _______________ to the “Congress of the Confederation.”
The Congress was the only ____________ government. There was no ___________.
In Congress, each state got _______ vote.
independent
government
representatives
central
President
one

6. A Rocky Relationship Hey, this sounds great! Wait! Not so fast…
States get to keep their ______ and ____________
No _____________ telling the states what to do
Congress had the power to create a _________ to ________all the states
Congress had no way to __________ its _______!
Congress had no power to collect _________ to pay for the military!
The Articles could only be _________ if ______ the states agreed!
power
independence
enforce
laws
government
taxes
military
protect
changed
ALL

7. Articles of Confederation
A New Idea!
Articles of Confederation
New Idea
1 Branch
Legislative—makes laws
3 Branches

8. VA v. NJ The Virginia Plan The New Jersey Plan
Legislative branch has ___ “chambers”
Number of votes for each state depends on the state’s ___________
________ states would have more power
Drafted by James Madison 2
Legislative branch has ___ “chamber”
Each state gets ___ vote
________ states would have more power 1 1
Smaller
population
Larger

9. The Constitution Solution: The Great Compromise
Legislative:
Makes laws
Divide Congress Into Two Houses
Senate
House of Representatives
Each state gets 2 votes. (similar to NJ plan)
-Began with 26 members
-Now has 100
The more people the state has, the more votes it gets! (Similar to VA plan)
-Began with about 65 members
N-ow has 435 members
Executive:
Carries out laws
Judicial:
Interprets laws

10. Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists
-Supported Constitution
-Against Bill of Rights (thought it was unnecessary)
-John Adams, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, James Madison
-Against Constitution unless a Bill of Rights was added
-Favored states rights and the Articles of Confederation
-Thomas Jefferson, George Mason, Patrick Henry

11. Compromises Bill of Rights added to appease Anti-Federalists
Bill of Rights included:
Freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly, and petition
Right to bear arms
Right against cruel and unusual punishment
Prohibited unlawful search and seizure
Right to a trial by jury
States rights

12. Slavery & the Constitution
No mention of slavery
Slaves made up a ⅓ of the population in 5 of the 13 original states
For purposes of seats in the House of Representatives, slaves counted as “three-fifths” of a free person
Slaves who escaped to free states were not free
Federal government could not ban slave trade

13. Ms. Ottenberg’s Docket 9/5-9/6
Listen to podcasts & complete graphic organizers
Work on project (if time)
Coming up: Candidate Profile sheet & Issue Advocacy Sheet due 9/11-9/12