Creating a Constitution

republic

a political system in which the supreme power lies in a body of citizens who can elect people to represent them

Articles of Confederation

first constitution of the United States. Adopted in 1777. Proved weak because:

1\. gave most of the power to the individual colonies/states

2\. national government couldn't levy taxes

3\. national government couldn't regulate trade

4\. there was no national currency

Northwest Ordinance

laws aimed at governing the western territories. Guaranteed certain basic rights for people living in the territory.

Land Ordinance of 1785

established method for surveying western land and creating townships.

Shay's Rebellion

Occurred in Massachusetts in 1786 to protest rising taxes due to the post-war recession. Convinced many the Articles of Confederation were too weak.

Constitutional Convention

met in Philadelphia in 1787 to discuss revision of the Articles of Confederation

Virginia Plan

proposed by James Madison; called for bicameral legislature with representatives (votes) based on state population. Who would hold the power in the national government?

New Jersey Plan

proposed by William Paterson; called for a single house legislature in which each state was equally represented and have the power to raise taxes and regulate trade.

The Connecticut (Great) Compromise

idea of Roger Sherman; proposed a bicameral legislature with a House of Representatives based on a state's population (satisfies Virginia Plan) and a Senate where each state had equal representation (satisfies the New Jersey Plan)

Three-Fifths Compromise

worked out to keep Southern states from gaining a political edge in the House of Representatives by counting slaves. Instead, every 5 enslaved persons would count as 3 free persons.

ratification of the new Constitution

required a 3/4 vote by the states. What is 3/4 of 13?

ratify

approve formally; confirm; verify

Legislative Branch

Article I; Congress; makes all national laws

Executive Branch

Article II;the President; enforces laws made by Congress

Judicial Branch

Article III; the federal courts; interprets laws made by Congress. What do they use to interpret laws?

amendment

a statement that is added to or revises or improves a proposal or document (a bill or constitution etc.)

Federalists

those who supported ratification of the new constitution. They believed power should be divided between national and state governments. Notable members were Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, George Washington, Benjamin Franklin

Anti-Federalists

Opponents of the new Constitution. They worried a supreme national government would grant too much power to the elite and that new government would be like a tyrant they declared independence from. Notable members were John Hancock, Patrick Henry, George Mason, Samuel Adams

Federalist Papers

AKA The Federalist- a series of 85 essays written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay trying to drum up support for the new constitution.

debate over ratification

Massuchusetts, Virginia, and New York were key battleground states due to fear of the lack of a bill of rights added to the Constitution. North Carolina and Rhode Island were the last two states of the original 13 colonies to ratify.

George Washington

elected as the USA's first President under the new Constitution which outlined how a President was to be chosen

Principles of the Constitution

1. Popular Sovereignty- the people have ultimate authority
2. Limited Government- prevents a tyrannical government
3. Federalism- power shared between nation and state gov'ts
4. Separation of Powers- legislative, executive, judicial branches
5. Checks and Balances-each branch keeps the other in check
6. Judicial review- judicial branch has authority to declare laws unconstitutional

Parts of the Constitution

1. Preamble- "We The People...."
2. Articles I-VII
3. Signatures
4. Amendments 1-27

Article I

deals with the Legislative Branch

Article II

deals with Executive Branch

Article III

deals with Judicial Branch

Article IV

deals with relationship between the states and the national government

Article V

explains how to amend the Constitution

Article VI

explains the supremacy of the national government. Contains the supremacy clause

Article VII

explains ratification of the Constitution

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the US Constitution, added in 1791 and consisting of a formal list of citizen's rights and freedoms.

expressed powers

those that ARE specifically mentioned in the Constitution. Also called enumerated powers

implied powers

those NOT specifically mentioned in the Constitution. Also referred to as the "necessary and proper" clause. Found in Article I Section 8