Instructional Focus Document Notes Grade 8/Social Studies

Instructional Focus Instructional Focus Document NotesDocument Notes

Grade 8/Social StudiesGrade 8/Social Studies

UNIT: 04 TITLE: Writing the UNIT: 04 TITLE: Writing the Constitution Constitution

Part 1: From Revolution to Part 1: From Revolution to Constitution.Constitution.

Early Years Early Years

Though the Americans gained their Though the Americans gained their independence, the war produced independence, the war produced devastating results.devastating results.

Around 26,000 American casualties, Around 26,000 American casualties, 10,000 British casualties, and 8,000 10,000 British casualties, and 8,000 Hessian casualties. Hessian casualties.

The Revolution crippled the American The Revolution crippled the American economy. The new nation was in economy. The new nation was in debt of about 27 million dollars. debt of about 27 million dollars.

Early YearsEarly Years

Many soldiers who Many soldiers who fought in the fought in the Revolution could Revolution could not even be paid, not even be paid, so in some cases so in some cases they were given they were given certificates to certificates to newly acquired newly acquired land in the west. land in the west.


Loyalists were Loyalists were forced to flee to forced to flee to Canada or BritainCanada or Britain

During the war, During the war, Congress installed Congress installed a document for a document for governing the governing the states called The states called The Articles of Articles of Confederation.Confederation.


Most all of the states had already Most all of the states had already formed their own governments.formed their own governments.

Most had chosen a republican form Most had chosen a republican form of government where they elected of government where they elected representatives to govern. representatives to govern.

New LandNew Land

Congress needed to come up with a Congress needed to come up with a system for organizing all the new land system for organizing all the new land that the United States had acquired that the United States had acquired from the Treaty of Paris 1783.from the Treaty of Paris 1783.

The Land Ordinance of 1785- divided The Land Ordinance of 1785- divided the land into six mile square plots. the land into six mile square plots. These were called townships and the These were called townships and the area became known as the Northwest area became known as the Northwest Territory. Territory.

Northwest TerritoryNorthwest Territory

Northwest OrdinanceNorthwest Ordinance

This determined how the Northwest This determined how the Northwest Territory would be governed.Territory would be governed.

1. When the population reached 60,000, 1. When the population reached 60,000, the territory could apply to become a the territory could apply to become a state.state.

2. Slavery in the Northwest Territory would 2. Slavery in the Northwest Territory would be outlawedbe outlawed

3. Rivers for navigation would be open for 3. Rivers for navigation would be open for all.all.

4. Freedom of religion an trial by jury. 4. Freedom of religion an trial by jury.

Northwest OrdinanceNorthwest Ordinance

The Northwest The Northwest Ordinance set a Ordinance set a pattern for orderly pattern for orderly growth that the growth that the United States United States continued to use continued to use throughout the throughout the years. As the nation years. As the nation grew, it used the grew, it used the same principles. same principles.

Shays RebellionShays Rebellion

The country was in bad economic times.The country was in bad economic times. States began to levy high taxes and States began to levy high taxes and

many farmers did not make enough many farmers did not make enough money to pay these taxes, so states money to pay these taxes, so states began to seize land as payment. began to seize land as payment.

Daniel Shays, a revolutionary war Daniel Shays, a revolutionary war veteran led an armed revolt to keep the veteran led an armed revolt to keep the courts from taking the land of the courts from taking the land of the people. people.

Shays RebellionShays Rebellion

The Massachusetts The Massachusetts militia put down militia put down the revolt, and the revolt, and Daniel Shays fled Daniel Shays fled to Vermont.to Vermont.

A New ConstitutionA New Constitution

The Articles of Confederation, written at the The Articles of Confederation, written at the Second Continental Congress, proved to be Second Continental Congress, proved to be too weak to support the nation as incidences too weak to support the nation as incidences like Shays Rebellion had shown.like Shays Rebellion had shown.

There were SOME good points with the There were SOME good points with the Articles of Confederation such as States Articles of Confederation such as States Rights, states having an equal voice in Rights, states having an equal voice in Congress and Congress having the ability to Congress and Congress having the ability to make war or peace, establish a post office, make war or peace, establish a post office, sign treaties and raise an army when sign treaties and raise an army when needed, but…needed, but…


Under the Articles of Confederation, the Under the Articles of Confederation, the government did not have the power to government did not have the power to collect taxescollect taxes

There was There was no federal court systemno federal court system and no and no ability to settle disputes between the statesability to settle disputes between the states

The federal government hardly had any The federal government hardly had any strength and could not settle disputes strength and could not settle disputes across state boundaries, nor could the across state boundaries, nor could the federal government regulate commerce federal government regulate commerce and settle disputes over taxes as items and settle disputes over taxes as items crossed state borderscrossed state borders


There was no Executive, or federal There was no Executive, or federal leaderleader

There was a limited military, which There was a limited military, which offered little to no protectionoffered little to no protection

Many believed that a stronger Many believed that a stronger national government was needed. national government was needed.


A Constitutional Convention was called in A Constitutional Convention was called in order to come up with a new frame of order to come up with a new frame of government. government.

Incidences such as Shay’s Rebellion Incidences such as Shay’s Rebellion showed that the new republic would need showed that the new republic would need to be able to maintain national security.to be able to maintain national security.

Though many Americans were fearful of a Though many Americans were fearful of a standing army, the founding fathers standing army, the founding fathers realized they would need to build a stable realized they would need to build a stable military. military.

A New ConstitutionA New Constitution Americans during this Americans during this

time were also very time were also very concerned as to their concerned as to their property rights. property rights.

Many people Many people disagreed with this disagreed with this attempt to change the attempt to change the government.government.

Patrick Henry the Patrick Henry the notable patriot refused notable patriot refused to attend saying he to attend saying he “smelt a rat tending “smelt a rat tending toward monarchy!”toward monarchy!”


George Mason George Mason believed in the believed in the necessity to necessity to restrict a national restrict a national government and he government and he was a firm was a firm supporter of supporter of Individual Rights.Individual Rights.

Constitutional ConventionConstitutional Convention

The Constitution was written in 1787. The Constitution was written in 1787. The delegates decided to toss out the The delegates decided to toss out the

Articles of Confederation and begin a Articles of Confederation and begin a whole new Constitution.whole new Constitution.

George Washington was chosen to serve George Washington was chosen to serve as president of the convention and as president of the convention and preside over matters. preside over matters.

The delegates took into account many The delegates took into account many historic documents that improved freedom historic documents that improved freedom and individual rights through the years and individual rights through the years including:including:


Magna Carta – Magna Carta – (1215) limited the (1215) limited the power of the king power of the king (Just as the (Just as the Constitution limits Constitution limits the power of the the power of the President)President)


English Bill of Rights English Bill of Rights – Listed individual – Listed individual rights for citizens of rights for citizens of England (the model England (the model for our own Bill of for our own Bill of Rights as listed in Rights as listed in the Constitutionthe Constitution

Mayflower Compact Mayflower Compact – (1620) established – (1620) established the idea of self the idea of self government.government.

Constitutional Convention Constitutional Convention

There were a number of new ideas and There were a number of new ideas and plans for a new and better national plans for a new and better national government. government.

Virginia PlanVirginia Plan

The Virginia Plan said that the national The Virginia Plan said that the national government (federal government) should government (federal government) should be divided into three branches: be divided into three branches: Executive, 2. Legislative, and 3. JudicialExecutive, 2. Legislative, and 3. Judicial

It also proposed that the Legislative It also proposed that the Legislative branch be divided into two houses (like branch be divided into two houses (like Parliament) both of which would have Parliament) both of which would have representatives determined by state representatives determined by state populations.populations.

Larger states liked this plan.Larger states liked this plan.

New Jersey PlanNew Jersey Plan

The New Jersey Plan called for only The New Jersey Plan called for only one house in the Legislative branch one house in the Legislative branch and that each state would get one and that each state would get one representative to the Legislative representative to the Legislative branch no matter how big or small branch no matter how big or small the state was. the state was.

Each state would be equal with one Each state would be equal with one vote each. vote each.

Smaller states liked this plan.Smaller states liked this plan.

The Great CompromiseThe Great Compromise

The Great Compromise combined ideas from The Great Compromise combined ideas from both plans. both plans.

To satisfy the larger states, there would be a To satisfy the larger states, there would be a House of Representatives whose members House of Representatives whose members would be determined by state population.would be determined by state population.

To satisfy the smaller states, there would be To satisfy the smaller states, there would be a Senate which would have an equal number a Senate which would have an equal number of representatives from each state. (two)of representatives from each state. (two)

This was the creation of our Bicameral This was the creation of our Bicameral legislaturelegislature

Three Fifths CompromiseThree Fifths Compromise

The Three Fifths Compromise came The Three Fifths Compromise came about when delegates were trying to about when delegates were trying to come up with a system for counting come up with a system for counting slaves for representation.slaves for representation.

They decided to count only three They decided to count only three fifths of the slave population. fifths of the slave population.

Federalists vs. Anti-federalistsFederalists vs. Anti-federalists

As the Constitution was awaiting its As the Constitution was awaiting its approval from the states, two groups approval from the states, two groups emerged with different ideas on the emerged with different ideas on the Constitution and how the new Constitution and how the new national government (federal national government (federal government) should be run. government) should be run.

The Federalists and the Anti-The Federalists and the Anti-federalists became the first two federalists became the first two political parties in the United States.political parties in the United States.

FederalistsFederalists

They were in favor of the They were in favor of the constitution, because it supported constitution, because it supported the idea of Federalism. the idea of Federalism.

Federalism is a system of Federalism is a system of government in which power is shared government in which power is shared between a strong Federal (national) between a strong Federal (national) government, and smaller supporting government, and smaller supporting State governments. State governments.

FederalistsFederalists

Alexander Hamilton Alexander Hamilton and James Madison and James Madison were leading were leading FederalistsFederalists

They published a They published a series of essays series of essays supporting the supporting the constitution known constitution known as The Federalist as The Federalist Papers.Papers.

Anti-federalistsAnti-federalists They opposed the They opposed the

Constitution saying that Constitution saying that it did not guarantee the it did not guarantee the rights of the people.rights of the people.

They distrusted a They distrusted a strong national (federal) strong national (federal) government.government.

Thomas Jefferson and Thomas Jefferson and Patrick Henry were Patrick Henry were leading Anti-Federalistsleading Anti-Federalists

Many Anti-federalists Many Anti-federalists began to express their began to express their views in pamphlets and views in pamphlets and newspapers.newspapers.

Federalists vs. Anti-federalistsFederalists vs. Anti-federalists

FederalistsFederalists 1. supported a strong 1. supported a strong

National (federal) National (federal) governmentgovernment

2. favored dividing 2. favored dividing power into three power into three branchesbranches

3. wanted an 3. wanted an executive (President)executive (President)

Anti-federalistsAnti-federalists 1. wanted important 1. wanted important

powers to remain with powers to remain with the statesthe states

2. feared one person 2. feared one person having too much having too much power. power.

3. wanted a Bill of 3. wanted a Bill of Rights added to the Rights added to the ConstitutionConstitution

RatificationRatification

When the Constitution went to the When the Constitution went to the states for ratification, there were states for ratification, there were many arguments.many arguments.

Anti-federalists wanted a Bill of Anti-federalists wanted a Bill of RightsRights added to the Constitution that added to the Constitution that defined people’s rights.defined people’s rights.

When the Federalists agreed to add a When the Federalists agreed to add a Bill of Rights to the Constitution, the Bill of Rights to the Constitution, the states all agreed to ratify the states all agreed to ratify the Constitution. Constitution.

RatificationRatification The lasts states ratified The lasts states ratified

the U.S. Constitution in the U.S. Constitution in 1789.1789.

Congress added the Congress added the first 10 amendments to first 10 amendments to the Constitution in the Constitution in 1791. These first 10 1791. These first 10 amendments became amendments became known as the Bill of known as the Bill of Rights. Rights.

The Bill of Rights The Bill of Rights explains what the explains what the government can NOT government can NOT do. do.

Bill of RightsBill of Rights

1st Amendment1st Amendment- - Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Speech, Press, ReligionPress, Religion & Assembly & Assembly

2nd Amendment2nd Amendment- Right to Bear Arms- Right to Bear Arms 3rd Amendment3rd Amendment- No quartering of troops - No quartering of troops

in citizens homesin citizens homes 4th Amendment4th Amendment- - No Search & SeizureNo Search & Seizure

without a warrantwithout a warrant 5th Amendment5th Amendment- Right to Due Process, not - Right to Due Process, not

to be tried twice for same offense and you to be tried twice for same offense and you can’t testify against yourselfcan’t testify against yourself

Bill of RightsBill of Rights

6th Amendment6th Amendment- Right to a Speedy - Right to a Speedy and Public Trialand Public Trial

7th Amendment7th Amendment- Right to a Trial by - Right to a Trial by JuryJury

8th Amendment8th Amendment- Right not to have - Right not to have excessive bail or punishmentexcessive bail or punishment

9th Amendment9th Amendment- Rights of the people- Rights of the people 10th Amendment10th Amendment- Rights left to the - Rights left to the

States to decideStates to decide

The Constitution along with its Bill of The Constitution along with its Bill of Rights answered all of the grievances Rights answered all of the grievances (complaints) that had been listed in (complaints) that had been listed in the Declaration of Independence, the Declaration of Independence, such as:…such as:…

Grievances Answered in the Bill of Grievances Answered in the Bill of RightsRights

Grievances in the Grievances in the Declaration Of Declaration Of Independence: Independence:

Taxation without Taxation without representation representation

king has absolute powerking has absolute power Colonists not allowed to speak Colonists not allowed to speak

out against the kingout against the king Quartering Act forced Quartering Act forced

colonists to house British colonists to house British soldierssoldiers

Colonists homes could be Colonists homes could be searched without any kind of searched without any kind of warrantwarrant

Colonists were not allowed a Colonists were not allowed a trial with a jury of their peerstrial with a jury of their peers

Answered in the Answered in the ConstitutionConstitution

All states are represented in All states are represented in CongressCongress

Congress has the power to Congress has the power to override a presidential vetooverride a presidential veto

1st amendment-Freedom of 1st amendment-Freedom of speechspeech

3rd amendment-No 3rd amendment-No quartering of troopsquartering of troops

4th amendment-No 4th amendment-No unwarranted search or seizureunwarranted search or seizure

6th amendment-Speedy and 6th amendment-Speedy and public trial, by an impartial public trial, by an impartial jury. jury.

7th amendment –Right to a 7th amendment –Right to a trial by jury of peers.trial by jury of peers.

Documents

Instructional Focus Document Notes Grade 8/Social Studies