Agenda Thursday 9/30

1. QUIZ!!! 2. Collect Sensory

Figures Project3. Notes: The Road to

the Constitution4. Federalists vs. Anti-

Federalists

HOMEWORK

Chapter 1 and 2 Exam Monday Oct 4

Study for Jeopardy Game Show

The Road to the Constitution

Quick Review: How does the incident at Tiananmen Square conflict with John Locke’s ideas of government? Use your notes.

Up until now, we have been discussing the various important documents leading to the creation of the Constitution

Magna Carta 1215

Declaration of Independence 1776

The Articles of Confederation 1781

The Articles of Confederation was America’s first written Constitution

It was a plan to unite the 13 colonies under one national government and lay out the rules

… It gave Congress the power to declare war, raise an army, create money systems, and make sure the states all get along

… but the Articles of Confederation only lasted from 1781 – 1787 because of its weaknesses

Weakness #1- The national government they set up only had one body- CONGRESS- but did not have an executive or judicial branch.

WEAK!

Weakness #2- Congress could not tax the states to raise money

Weakness #3- Congress had no way to make changes to the laws or even really make states obey the laws

Do what I say!Um… No.

Without a strong central government to maintain order, the alliance between the states began to fall apart Tax you!

Tax you too!

We don’t trust

you…

Forget the Articles of

Confederation, I’m not backing

you!

Congress sensed the urgency to create a strong national government

This is not working out. Let’s create a

new set of laws.

So they decided to hold a convention (a meeting) in Philadelphia to fix the states’ problems

PHILADELPHIA CONVENTION

Alexander Hamilton

James Madison

Benjamin Franklin

George Washington

Delegates from 12 of 13 states attended, many of whom were the biggest names in America

The only state that did not join the party was Rhode Island

The Framers of the Constitution met secretly throughout the summer of 1787

and came up with a few plans to replace the Articles of Confederation

Framers of the Constitution- the group of delegates who attended the Philadelphia Convention

Delegates from Virginia were the first to propose a plan

Their plan gave more power to bigger states with higher populations

Inevitably, the smaller states like New Jersey did not like it so they created their own plan

Virginia Plan vs. New Jersey Plan• Created 3 separate

branches- legislative, executive, and judicial

• Representation in legislature (Congress) is based on population or amt. of money it gave to the government

• Make national government stronger

• Agree w/ 3 branches of gov’t

• 1 vote per state (just like the Articles of Confederation)

• Limit national government power

Finally, some compromise…

1. Connecticut Compromise required Congress to be divided into 2 houses

Congress

Senate House of Representatives

2 from each state (100) Based on Population of

each state (435 total)

2. Three-Fifths Compromise- the agreement to count slaves as 3/5 of a person when totaling population Plantation

owners in the South where ½ the population is made up of slaves

Who did this benefit?

MOST

Finally, after a long hot summer…

September 17, 1787- THE CONSTITUTION IS COMPLETE WITH 39 SIGNATURES OF APPROVAL

It’s finally finished.

BYAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!!!

Now came the problem of ratifying (or approving) the Constitution…

9 of the 13 states had to ratify the Constitution for it to take effect

Not everyone was thrilled about the Constitution and having a strong national government

Gentlemen, what say we discuss the

benefits of the Constitution?

Who invited Buzz

Killington?

So the American people were divided into 2 groups: the Federalists and Anti-federalists

Federalists- supported the Constitution and a strong national government

Anti-Federalists- supported strong state government and feared a strong central government

FEDERALISTS WIN! Constitution is in effect!

The Federalists convince the states to ratify the Constitution

George Washington is elected first president under the new national government!

From here on out, America under the Constitution, becomes a model for future democratic governments

In 1835, a French philosopher named Alexis de Tocqueville toured America

He was impressed with how democratic and sovereign people were

and how people earned a living through their own labor, not because they came from a rich blood line