The Constitution and Bill of Rights (Notes 1)

Unit 3

The Articles of Confederation (Problems caused by weak government)

• Foreign affairs:

- States disregard the Treaty of Paris

- British interfere in the western frontier

• Economic Issues:

- Inability to levy national taxes and printing worthless money

The Annapolis Convention

• (1786)

• Representatives gather to discuss growing problems

The Constitutional Convention

• May - September 1787

• 55 Delegates

The Constitutional Convention (55 Delegates):

• Generally white, male, educated, and young (avg. age - 40’s)

• Voted to conduct meeting in secret

• George Washington elected chairperson

• Benjamin Franklin (oldest), James Madison (writing/drafting + Father of the Constitution) , Alexander Hamilton, and John Dickison

• Some delegates wanted to revise the Articles and others wanted a complete new document

The Virginia Plan

• Favored by large states

The New Jersey Plan

• Favored by smaller states

The Connecticut Plan

• Compromise

• Bicameral Legislature

• House of Representatives (population based representation)

• The Senate (equal representation) 

Three-Fifths Compromise

• 3/5’s of slaves counted for the states population

• Slaves could be imported for another 20 years

The Commercial Compromise

• Government cannot tax exports

The Presidency

• 4-year presidential term (no term limits)

• Electoral college system

• President granted considerable power, including the ability to veto acts of Congress

Ratification:

• 9/13 states required for ratification

Federalists:

• Supporters of the Constitution and it’s strong federal government

Anti-Federalists:

• Opponents (didn’t support Constitution)

The Federalist Papers:

• Written by Madison, Hamilton, and John Jay

• Persuasive essays of parts of the Constitution

• Federalists promise to add a Bill of Rights in order to address strongest Anti-Federalsits objections

What state voted on June 1788 and was the 9th and final state needed?

• New Hampshire

The First 10 Amendments

• Drafted by James Madison (1789)

• Ten are officially adopted by 1791

1st Amendment

• Freedom of speech, religion, the press, to peacefully assemble, and petition government for a redress of grievances

2nd Amendment

• The right to bear arms

3rd Amendment

• No quartering of soldiers in peace times

4th Amendment

• No entry without a warrant

5th Amendment

• The right to remain silent and not to be tried twice (Double Jeopardy)

6th Amendment

• The right to a speedy, public trial and an attorney

7th Amendment

• In matters over $20, you have the right to a trial by jury

8th Amendment

• Freedom from excessive fine and bail (reasonable punishment)

9th Amendment

• There are more rights than what are listed on the constitution

10th Amendment

• Those rights not specifically given to the federal government are reserved for the states and the people