1. America’s Founding Documents
How are the founding ideals reflected in the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution?

2. Compare the introductions of these documents.
Declaration – 1776
A petition to inform the king
When, in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the laws of nature and of nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any form of government becomes destructive to these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness.
Constitution- 1789
Provides the basis for American law and the structure of gov.
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.
5 ideals?
Do they both emphasize the same ideals?

3. The US Constitution What you will learn…
What were the circumstances that impelled the framers to write the Constitution?
What is the structure of the document?
What is the content of the document?

4. The “Original” constitution
Written by the Continental Congress during the Revolutionary War
The Articles of Confederation
“a firm league of friendship”

5. Articles of Confederation
Pros
Provides for a common defense force
Allows each state to retain its independence and sovereignty
State constitutions
Powers
Declare war
Negotiate w/other countries
Postal system
Cons
No power to tax
No power to regulate interstate commerce
No strong central voice for negotiation
No way to deal with Revolutionary debt
No common currency
Inconsistent representation in Congress
1 state : 1 vote

6. Articles of Confederation
Successes
Figuring out what to do with new territory
Land Ordinance of 1785
Surveying and subdividing
36 sq. mile townships
Land set aside for schools
Northwest Ordinance
Procedures for settling new land and forming new states
Failures
Problems with Britain
Trade restrictions between states
Debt
Shay’s Rebellion
Farmers protest falling crop prices and high debt

7. Constitutional Convention
Convenes May 12, 1787
55 delegates
Purpose: revise the Articles of Confederation
Influences
John Locke
Baron de Montesquieu
Balance of power
Checks and balances

8. checks and balances

9. 55 delegates James Madison “Father of the Constitution”
Benjamin Franklin
George Washington
Roger Sherman
Compromises had to be made……..

10. Important Compromises
Between small states and large states
The “Great Compromise” (Connecticut Compromise)
Bicameral Congress (2 houses)
House of Representatives- based on population
Senate- based on statehood (Each state has two senators)
3/5 Compromise
Slaves to be counted 3/5
Electoral College
President to be elected indirectly using the Electoral College

11. Must be ratified by 9 of 13 colonies
Federalists v. Anti-Federalists argue.
Ratified by 1788
A Bill of Rights is added (1st 10 Amendments)
Ratified by 1791

12. Important Idea Federalism
The central government has specific and limited functions; it has controlling authority
Interstate commerce (trade between states)
Foreign policy/ Affairs
War
“Constitutionality”-Supreme Law of the Land
State governments have specific and limited functions.
Everything else

13. Arguments over how to interpret the Constitution continue to this day. . .
Civil War
Role of government
Business
Healthcare
War Powers Act
27 Amendments

14. Create a table like this in your spiral
U.S. Federal Government
Legislative Branch
Executive Branch
Judicial Branch

15. For each of the three branches:
How is it structured? (Who’s in it?)
What is it job?
What are its powers?