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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
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