The Constitution of the United States The Constitution of the United States, created in 1787, has endured _________ years. This is because the Constitution

The Constitution of the United States The Constitution of the United States, created in 1787, has endured _________ years. This is because the Constitution is ___________, yet _________________ enough to change with the times. I. ________________ ________________ resigns his commission. A. He refuses to become the _________ of America B. The nation needs to adopt a new _________________ quickly. 227 Strong Flexible GeorgeWashington King Government

II. The __________________ of __________________ become our first form of government from 1775 to 1787. (This is our first formal ________________ ________________.) A. The Articles accomplish 4 important goals. 1. It helped bring the ___________________ War to a successful conclusion. 2. It brought the 13 states together in a loose ______________ of _______________________. 3. It passed the _____________ Ordinance of 1787. This worked out a plan to govern the lands West of the __________________ Mountains. It allowed the United States to bring in more ____________ as well as _____________ physically. This is the beginning of a long history of ___________________ expansion. 4. It made sure that the Central government would not be too ____________________. Why did the founders of the Articles do this? B. Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation. 1. It did not have the power to directly ________ 2. Without money, the Central Government could not raise an _________. 3. They could not ________________ interstate __________. 4. Others? Articles Confederation NationalGovernment R Revolutionary League Friendship Northwest Appalachian States Grow Westward Powerful -The Articles would not be able to abuse its power like England did Tax Army RegulateTrade Inflexible, One Branch of Government (Legislative) R

C. The demise of the Articles of Confederation. 1. During the time of the ___________________, the ________________ collapsed. This is due in part by each states high ________ and the ___________________________ of government money. 2.Each state had their own _____________________. Why was this negative? 3. The States delegations met several times to discuss these problems, but nobody wanted to create a government that would be _____________________. (Fear of creating a ________________ government) 4. Finally, _____________ Rebellion broke out. This was a revolt led by ___________________ from Western Massachusetts. They were upset by a tax on _________________ that had to be paid in _____________. This opened mob revolt could not be put down because _________________________________ ___________________________________________________. This event signaled the separate states together to change and modify the Articles of Convention. What they did not know is that they were going to throw them out all together and create a completely new _______________________. ArticlesEconomy Taxes Worthlessness Currency (Some states did not accept other states money no trade between states hurts economy) Too powerful Tyrannical Shays Farmers Whiskey Specie Tthere is no national Army to stop the revolt because there is no power to tax Constitution

III. The Constitutional Convention. A. There were many compromises that needed to be made in order for our new Constitution to be born. (Project) 1. The ___________ Compromise (a.k.a. The _________________ Plan. a. The Smaller states wanted ___________________ representation in the new legislature. They created the ________ ___________ Plan. This stated that each state should get an equal number of representatives in a _____________________________ Congress. b. The larger states wanted representation based on __________________. They created the ______________ Plan which also favored a _____________________ Congress. Under this plan states with a higher population would receive more delegates / _____________ in Congress. First question: How will each state be represented? How much power will each state have? R GREAT - RConnecticut Equal New Jersey Unicameral One House Population Virginia Unicameral One House Votes (Power)

c. Finally, ______________________ created a plan that created a ______________________ legislature. This means there would be two houses. -The Upper House, or the ________________ would have equal representation, regardless of size. Each state could send ___ Senators. -The Lower House or the _____________ of ______________, would base representation on ___________________. A __________ is taken every ____ years to determine how many representatives each state will receive. Today there are _______ House of Rep members. New York State has ___ of them. There are also ______ Senators. 3. The _______ Compromise a. Since population became important, another issue resulted. Should slaves be counted as a portion of the population? b. The _______ Compromise state that every ___ slaves would count as ____ people in the census. Connecticut Bicameral Senate 2 House Representatives Population Census10 435 29100 3/5 5 3

B. The Document: Constitution Project. 1. The Preamble 1. What are the first three words of the Preamble? 2. Why did our founders choose this wording? 3. Name three goals our founding fathers stated the Constitution would accomplish. We The People Its a social contract, and people are the source of governmental power Create a more perfect union (better than the Articles), Promote the General Welfare (does this mean health insurance?), provide for common defense,

Article I 1. This section of the Constitution creates which branch of government? 2. According to the Constitution, when it was originally written, which group of representatives were selected directly by the people? According to the original wording of the Constitution, who selected the other Houses members? 3. How long is the term of a House of Representative member? 4. What are the qualifications of a House of Representative member? 5. How long is the term of a Senator? 6. What are the qualifications of a Senator? 7. Who is the President of the Senate? Does he vote on Bills? 8. Which group of Representatives can impeach the President? 9. Which group of Representatives acts as the Jury during an impeachment trial? Legislative 1. House of Representatives2. State Legislatures 2 years 25 years old, 7 years citizenship, and live in the state they represent 6 years 30 years old, 9 years citizen, and must live in the state they represent 1. The Vice President2. Only to break tie votes in the Senate House of Representatives accuse the President by Majority Vote Senate President is only kicked out with a 2/3 majority vote

10. How many Presidents have been impeached? How many presidents have been removed from office? How many Presidents have resigned? Explain the process of impeachment. 11. What does Article I, Section 7 say about revenue Bills? Why was this so important? 12. Name four powers of Congress. 13. Read Article I, Section 8, Clause 18 and then read the 10 th Amendment. What problem does this create? (Hint: According to these two sections of the Constitution, who should regulate the internet? Who does? 2 Presidents impeached, 1 President resigned, no Presidents kicked out All Revenue (Tax) Bills must start in the House of Representatives, Taxation with Representation Create Navy and Army, Post Offices, Make all Laws Necessary and Proper This creates conflict between State and Federal government. Since Internet is not in the Constitution, one can assume it should be a State Power. However, is it necessary and proper For the Federal government to regulate the internet (If so, it is a federal government power Albany vs. D.C.

3. Article II 1. Which branch of government does this Article create? 2. Who selects the President? 3. How long is the term of a President? 4. What are the qualifications for the President? 5. What military powers does the President have? 6. Does the President have the final say when it comes to creating treaties? Why or Why not? 7. Name two duties of the President including the first one listed in Article II, Section 3. Executive Electoral College 4 years Natural Born Citizen, 35 years old, and be a citizen for 14 years (One foreign born President?) He is commander in chief. He can make war, but cant declare it. He makes treaties, but the Senate must ratify it. He must, from time to time (once a year) give a state of the union address

4. Article III 1. Which branch of government is created by this article? 2. In Marbury v. Madison, it is said that the Supreme Court gave itself the power of JUDICIAL REVIEW. This means that the Supreme Court can determine if a law follows the Constitution or not. Where in this Article is this power explained? 5. Article IV 1. Do New Yorkers have to follow the laws of Pennsylvania while in Pennsylvania? Why or Why not? 2. If James committed a crime in Michigan, fled through Ohio and Pennsylvania, and was caught in New York State, where would his trial take place? Why? Judicial It is not. This is one of many important parts of our government that is unwritten Yes (full faith and credit clause) Michigan Every state has the power of EXTRADITION with all the other states

6. Article V 1. Name the two ways Amendments can be proposed? 2. What has to happen for an Amendment to be passed? 3. ***Throughout my years of teaching U.S. History, students constantly confuse Amendments with Laws. What is the difference between the two? 7. Article VI 1. What solution is created for the economic weakness of each of the states under the old Articles of Confederation? 2. This article sets a trend for the power relations between the states and the national government. Who shall have more power (Even though this is a Federal System of Government)? 2/3 of the States or 2/3 of Congress of the States would have to ratify it Amendments are part of the Constitution and there are only 27 of them, Laws are passed Every day and must follow the Constitution (including the Amendments The Federal government would take on all the debts of the States The National Government

8. Article VII 1. What fraction of states were needed to ratify the Constitution? 2. Which state did not ratify the Constitution right away? BONUS: Find the section of the Constitution that discusses any of the following topics: The Presidents Cabinet, President only being able to serve for two terms, Judicial Review, Political Parties, Congressional Committees. Other Important Constitutional Provisions 1. Explain the Separation of Powers (a.k.a. The System of Checks and Balances) The purpose of this system is to make sure that no one _____________ of government can gain too much ________________ over the other _______________ of government. (Checks and Balances Triangle) 9/13 Rhode Island They are all parts of the Unwritten Constitution (except for 22 nd Amendment Branch Power Branches

2. Explain Federalism This is a system that divides power between the ____________ and _____________ governments. There are ___________________ powers which are granted to the _________________ government. Some examples are: There are ___________________ powers which are granted to the __________________ Government. Some examples are: There are ___________________ powers which are _____________ by both the __________________ and ________________ governments. Some examples are: Federal State Delegated Central Coin Money, Make War, Make Treaties Reserved States Licensing Professional, Marriage Licensing, and EDUCATION ConcurrentShared National State TAXATION

What are the Bill of Rights? They are the 1 st 10 Amendments and contain most of our basic rights: 1 st Freedom of Speech, Assembly, Petition, Press, and Religion 2 nd Right to bear arms 3 rd Do not have to house troops in time of war or peace 4 th No illegal search or seizure (cops must have a warrant) 5 th and 6 th Contain our trial rights (no double jeopardy, must have an attorney, public trial, etc. 7 th Right to trial by jury if sued for $20 (Large sum of money back then) 8 th No cruel and unusual punishment 9 th They may have forgotten some rights (it doesnt mean they dont exist) 10 th Anything not in the Constitution (and not prohibited to the states) is a state power What were the Federalist Papers and why were they written? They explain why it is important to have a strong central government (with Federalism And Checks and Balances). They were written to get people (especially in New York And Virginia) to vote yes to ratifying the Constitution

5. Explain the Process of how a Bill becomes a Law. First, the Bill must be introduced into one of the ______________. (Remember all Revenue (Tax Bills) must start in the ________________________________. The Bill is then handed to a Standing ______________________. (This is where most of the work is done on a Bill. Then, if the Bill makes it out of the Committee, the whole House must vote on it. If it passes through the first House with a _______________ vote, it must go to the other House. (If it passes the House of Representatives, it must then go to the ________________.) The Bill will then go through the same process in the other House. If both Houses like the Bill, but disagree on certain areas, the Bill must go to a special ______________________ or ____________ Committee. This Committee includes members of both Houses. If both Houses pass the Bill with _________________ votes, it then goes to the _________________. He has three choices. He can ________________ it. This turns the Bill into a Law. He can ________________ it. This kills the Bill unless both the Senate and House of Rep. can override the ________________ with a _______ majority vote. He can do _________________ with it. After ten business days, it automatically becomes a law. *** It is important to note that when the Bill is in Congress or with the President, there are heavy influences and pressures placed on these men and women by lobbyists, special interest groups, and PACs (___________________ __________________ ________________). These groups use ___________ and ___________ to try to sway the opinions of Congressmen and women and the President. Some say this creates __________________ in the system. Which branch of government is not impacted by these outside influences? Why are they not impacted? Houses House of Representatives Committee Majority Senate Conference Joint MajorityPresident Sign Veto Veto2/3 Nothing PoliticalInterestGroups Money Votes Corruption Judicial

Documents

The Constitution of the United States The Constitution of the United States, created in 1787, has endured _________ years. This is because the Constitution