S 3• The Framers of the Constitution

were influenced by British ideas and traditions.

• Feared the mistakes of the past so spent much time studying political thought.

A New Plan of Government

• The sharing of power between the federal and state governments.

• The federal government could; Impose taxes, regulate trade,

control the currency, raise an army, and declare war. • It could also create new laws.

Constitution created a federalist system.

• The legislative branch, or Congress, is the lawmaking branch, House of Representatives and a Senate.

• The legislative branch has the power to make laws, coin money, collect taxes, and regulate trade.

Federal Government divided the into three branches.

• The president is in charge of this branch.

• Commander in chief of the armed forces and conducts relations with foreign countries.

• Is elected by the Electoral College.

Executive branch carries out the nation’s laws.

• These courts hear cases involving the Constitution, laws passed by Congress, and disputes between states.

• A system of Checks and Balances. limits, or checks, the power of each branch.

• Keeps any one branch of government from becoming too powerful.

The Judicial branch, or court system.

• For the Constitution to go into effect, nine states had to approve it

• Supporters of the new Constitution were called Federalists.

• Those who opposed the Constitution were called Anti-Federalists.

Debate and Adoption