US Constitution

1
US Constitution

• A brief history

2
Articles of Confederation -1781

• Basic structure
• Unicameral (Congress)
• Each state had one vote
• No President or Judiciary
• Congress had power to
• Make war and peace
• Raise army and navy
• Regulate Indian affairs
• Decide disputes among states
• Establish post offices

3
Articles of Confederation

• Achievements
• Fair policy for developing western lands
• Peace Treaty with Britain (1783)
• Set up Cabinet positions
• War
• Treasury
• Foreign affairs

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Articles

• Weaknesses
• Congress could only request taxes
• Congress couldnt enforce laws
• No executive
• No court system
• For an amendment, ALL states had to agree
• For new laws 9 out of 13

5
Shays Rebellion

• 1786 Economic troubles led to armed rebellion
• Group of farmers rebelled to prevent banks
  foreclosures on their farms
• Showed weakness of government

6
Constitutional Convention

• Meets in 1787 to amend the Articles of
  Confederation
• George Washington presides
• James Madison father of Constitution
• Kept detailed
• notes

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2 plans for Congress

• New Jersey (small states)
• Unicameral system
• Each state has one vote
• Congress can levy taxes and regulate trade
• People elect a weak President

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2nd Plan

• Virginia Plan (big states)
• Strong national legislature
• Bicameral (2 houses)
• Strong national executive (pres.)
• Elected by legislature
• National judiciary (Courts)

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The GREAT Compromise

• Bicameral legislature
• House of Representatives based on population
• Senate 2 votes per state
• Strong executive elected by the people
• National judiciary

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Other compromises

• 3/5 3/5 of slaves counted for taxes and
  representation
• Congress wouldnt decide slavery issue until 1808
• Federal government would manage interstate
  commerce

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Federalists v. Anti-federalists

• Federalists
• Favor Constitution
• Without a strong national gov. anarchy or chaos
  would triumph
• To gain support, they promised a Bill of Rights
• Members include the Founders
• Madison, Jay, Hamilton
• To garner support they draft The Federalist Papers

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Anti-Federalists

• Oppose Constitution
• Fear a strong national gov.
• Claim the Constitution was drafted in secrecy
• Point out that the Constitution lacked a Bill of
  Rights
• Ex. Patrick Henry, George Mason

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Federalist v. Anti-Federalist
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Ratification-1789

• With the Bill of Rights added, the Constitution
  was ratified in 1789
• First capital was NYC
• Washington took oath as President
• Bill of Rights (first 10 amendments) approved in
  1791.