1. Creating the Constitution

2. 2 A Limited Government Articles established a “firm league of friendship” among the states Bills were passed with nine of thirteen votes Amending the Articles took unanimous consent of the states

3. 3 Structure of Government Unicameral (single house) legislative body Each state had one vote regardless of population size Congress given sole authority to govern the country An executive committee oversaw government when Congress was not in session Congress would establish temporary courts to hear disputes among the states

4. 4 Powers Granted to Government under the Articles of Confederation Declare war and make peace Make treaties with foreign countries Establish an army and navy Appoint high-ranking military officials Requisition, print, and borrow money Establish weights and measures Hear disputes among the states related to trade or boundaries

5. 5 Powers Denied to Government No power to raise funds for an army or navy No power to tax, impose tariffs, or collect duties No executive branch to enforce laws No power to control trade among the states No power to force states to honor obligations No power to regulate the value of currency

6. 6 Problems Facing the New Nation Trade with foreign nations. States often competed with each other over trade Financing the nation Not united. People strongly identified with their state A 1783 cartoon satirizing relations between Britain and America

7. Trouble in Massachusetts Debt problems hit Massachusetts farmers. Shay’s rebellion Debtors jailed or sold into servitude Economic depression and lack of remedy from state legislatures increases frustration Boston in 1787

8. 8 The Constitution’s Origins Ancient Greece and Rome The theories of the Enlightenment Evolution of English government The colonial experience

9. 9 Historical Influences on the Constitution Classical learning of the Greeks and Romans The Greeks Value of citizenship Role of the people in government Divided functions of government The Romans Laws based on equity and justice

10. 10 The Enlightenment Locke, Montesquieu, Rousseau Political ideas –The people are sovereign –Government is a contract between the people and the government –People possess natural rights of life, liberty and property –If government abuses its power, the people can take it back Locke Rousseau Montesquieu

11. 11 The Magna Carta—1215 English barons meet with King John at Runnymede No taxation without consent Respect property rights Follow due process in legal matters No unjust punishment Abide by the rule of law King John places his seal on Magna Carta

12. 12 The Declaration of Independence A.The people are sovereign B.Government is a contract between the people and the government C.People possess natural rights of life, liberty and property D.If government abuses its power, the people can take it back

13. 13 The Virginia Plan Proposed a strong national government Three active branches of government –Legislative –Executive –Judicial Two-house Congress with proportional representation Edmund Randolph Gouverneur Morris

14. 14 The New Jersey Plan Single-house legislature Equal representation Plural executive elected by Congress Supreme Court chosen by executive Acts by Congress and treaties superior to state law William Paterson

15. 15 The Great Compromise The House would have proportional representation The Senate would have equal representation The Senate building The hall of the House of Representatives

16. 16 Compromises between Northern and Southern States Three-fifths of slave populations would be included in determining House representation The South agreed to allow Congress to have the power to pass tariffs The North agreed not to interfere with slave importation for 20 years Compromises avoided making slavery an issue for debate Framers ended up merely postponing a national calamity

17. 17 Major Features and Innovations Separation of powers Checks and balances Limits on direct democracy

18. 18 Major Features and Innovations (continued) Supremacy clause Federalism Amendments Ratification process

19. 19 The Struggle for Ratification Congress agrees to send the Constitution to the states Ratification procedure called for direct input from the people and not the state legislatures or Congress Two distinct views emerged: –The Federalists –The Anti-Federalists

20. 20 Federalists Who were the Federalists? Central government essential Believed the Constitution addressed all the shortcomings of the Articles Provisions in place to check government’s power John JayJames Madison Alexander Hamilton

21. 21 Anti-Federalists Who were the Anti-Federalists? Central government had too much power The “distant” government would neglect their needs The Constitution favored the wealthy and commercial classes No protection of individual liberties Richard Henry LeePatrick HenrySamuel Adams

22. 22 The Federalists’ “Hard Sell” Argued that the Constitution adequately addressed the country’s problems The Federalist Papers provided sound, reasoned arguments Portrayed the Constitution as the best—and only—plan available

23. 23 Creation of a Bill of Rights Initially, the Constitution had no bill of rights Federalists agreed to include a bill of rights Bill of Rights drafted and approved in the first Congress in 1789 Approved by the people through the amendment process in 1791

24. 24 The Promise in the Bill of Rights Written rights don’t guarantee rights The Bill of Rights continued the dialogue on liberty and freedom discussed at the Federal convention 14th amendment: Federal and state governments are held accountable to not violate people’s rights Democracy is best practiced by people defending their rights The Supreme Court serves as the forum for continued dialogue over people’s rights and freedoms