Civics Constitution

Articles of Confederation

The Articles of Confederation, ratified in 1781, were the first governing document of the United States, creating a loose confederation of states with a weak central government. Under the Articles, the national government had limited powers. This lack of central authority led to financial instability and difficulties in addressing national issues. The Articles were eventually replaced by the U.S. Constitution in 1787, which established a stronger federal government.

Articles of confederation pros:

Ordinance of 1785- established a system for surveying and setting western lands. Northwest Ordinance: Laid the basis for how new states are to be admitted into the union: OH, IN, IL, MI, WI, outlawed slavery in new territories

Articles of Confederation cons:

Took 9 states to pass a law, unanimous vote to change the articles, had no power to enforce laws, state could ignore national law, states had their own militaries, no national money

Preamble of the Constitution meaning:

The Preamble of the United States Constitution is the introductory statement that outlines the purposes and guiding principles of the document. It serves as a brief, but powerful, declaration of the reasons why the Constitution was written and what the framers hoped to achieve with it.

Popular Sovereignty: What it means:

• The power of the government comes from the consent of the governed. In other words, the authority to govern is granted by the people.

Popular Sovereignty: What it entails:

The people have the ultimate authority to elect representatives, amend the Constitution, and influence government decisions through voting. It reflects the democratic ideal that government exists to serve the will of the people.

. Limited Government: What it means:

• The government’s powers are restricted by law, typically through the Constitution, to prevent any branch or level of government from becoming too powerful.

Limited Government: What it entails:

The government can only do what the Constitution specifically allows. It protects individual freedoms by ensuring that the government doesn't overstep its boundaries, with laws like the Bill of Rights placing limits on federal power and safeguarding personal liberties.

Separation of Powers: What it means:

The Constitution divides government powers among three distinct branches: the Legislative, Executive, and Judicial branches. Each branch has its own responsibilities and authority.

Separation of powers: What it entails:

• This principle ensures that no one branch becomes too powerful. For example:

  • Legislative Branch (Congress) makes the laws.

  • Executive Branch (President) enforces the laws.

  • Judicial Branch (Courts) interprets the laws. Each branch is designed to operate independently but also to check the powers of the other branches.

. Checks and Balances: What it means:

• Each branch of government has the ability to limit or check the powers of the other branches to prevent any one from gaining too much power.

Checks and Balances: What it entails:

This system creates a balance where each branch can override or influence the actions of the others. For example:

• The President can veto laws passed by Congress.

• Congress can override a veto with a two-thirds majority vote.

• The Judiciary can declare laws or executive actions unconstitutional through judicial review.

Federalism: What it means

• Power is divided between a central (national) government and state governments

Federalism: What it entails:

• What it entails: The Constitution gives certain powers to the federal government, while reserving others for the states. This division ensures that both levels of government have authority over different aspects of governance. For example, the federal government handles national defense and foreign policy, while states manage local matters like education and law enforcement.

Republicanism: What it means:

The people elect representatives to make decisions and govern on their behalf.

Republicanism: What it entails:

The U.S. is not a direct democracy, where all citizens vote on every issue, but a republic where elected officials make decisions in the best interest of their constituents. This system ensures that governance is efficient and that individuals do not have to directly manage every aspect of government themselves.

Shays Rebellion

Shays' Rebellion (1786–1787) was an uprising led by Daniel Shays and struggling Massachusetts farmers protesting high taxes and debt. The rebellion exposed the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation, as the federal government had no power to stop it. It prompted fears of widespread instability and spurred calls for a stronger central government. This eventually led to the Constitutional Convention of 1787 and the creation of the U.S. Constitution.

Anti- Federalists: what they wanted and believed in

The Anti-Federalists opposed the U.S. Constitution because they feared it would create a strong central government that could threaten individual freedoms and state sovereignty. They were particularly concerned about the absence of a Bill of Rights to protect personal liberties. Advocating for a weaker central government and stronger state powers, their efforts led to the addition of the Bill of Rights in 1791, addressing many of their concerns.

Federalists: what they wanted and believed in

The Federalists supported the U.S. Constitution, believing it would create a strong central government that could ensure stability and address national issues. They argued that the Constitution’s system of checks and balances would prevent abuse of power. Federalists also felt a Bill of Rights was unnecessary, as the Constitution already protected individual freedoms.

Compromises in the Constitution: what were they; examples

• The Great Compromise created a bicameral legislature: the Senate (equal representation for states) and the House of Representatives (based on population).The U.S. Constitution was shaped by several key compromises to address differing interests among states and delegates.

Compromises in the Constitution: what were they; examples

1. The Three-Fifths Compromise counted enslaved people as three-fifths of a person for representation and taxation purposes.

Compromises in the Constitution: what were they; examples

• The Electoral College was established to elect the president through electors, rather than direct popular vote.

Compromises in the Constitution: what were they; examples

• The Electoral College was established to elect the president through electors, rather than direct popular vote.

Compromises in the Constitution: what were they; examples

• The Slave Trade Compromise allowed the slave trade to continue until 1808 but gave Congress the power to regulate it afterward.

Compromises in the Constitution: what were they; examples

• The Bill of Rights was promised by Federalists to address concerns over individual freedoms, leading to its adoption in 1791.

Compromises in the Constitution: what were they; examples

• The Commerce and Slave Trade Compromise allowed Congress to regulate interstate commerce, but prohibited export tariffs and interference with the slave trade until 1808.

Supremacy Clause

The Supremacy Clause asserts that the Constitution, along with federal laws and treaties, is the supreme law of the land. This means that when state laws or constitutions conflict with federal law, federal law takes precedence. It also requires judges in every state to uphold the Constitution and federal laws, regardless of state laws. The Supremacy Clause is crucial in maintaining the authority of the federal government and ensuring a unified legal system across the United States.

Government established at the Constitutional Convention

The Constitutional Convention of 1787 created a new government with a federal system, balancing power between the national government and states. It established three branches: Legislative (Congress), Executive (President), and Judicial (courts), each with checks and balances to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful. The Constitution replaced the Articles of Confederation and set up a system for representation in government.

Necessary and Proper Clause

The Necessary and Proper Clause (Article I, Section 8) gives Congress the power to make laws needed to carry out its listed responsibilities. It allows Congress to pass laws not explicitly mentioned in the Constitution, as long as they are related to its duties. This clause provides flexibility, expanding federal power over time.