Chapter 2Chapter 2U.S. GovernmentU.S. Government

How Our Constitution was How Our Constitution was createdcreated

ConstitutionConstitution

DefinitionDefinition• A nation’s basic law. It creates political A nation’s basic law. It creates political

institutions, assigns or divides powers in institutions, assigns or divides powers in government, and often provides certain government, and often provides certain guarantees to citizens.guarantees to citizens.

Sets the broad rules of government.Sets the broad rules of government. The 200+ year old document is still The 200+ year old document is still

utilized today because it is not utilized today because it is not “specific”“specific”

The way our government works today can be traced to The way our government works today can be traced to important documents in history:important documents in history:

Important English DocumentsImportant English Documents

The Continental CongressesThe Continental CongressesFirst Continental CongressFirst Continental Congress The colonists sent a Declaration of Rights to King George III. The colonists sent a Declaration of Rights to King George III.

(The Declaration of Independence)(The Declaration of Independence) The delegates urged each of the colonies to refuse all trade The delegates urged each of the colonies to refuse all trade

with England until British tax and trade regulations were with England until British tax and trade regulations were repealed.repealed.

Second Continental CongressSecond Continental Congress In 1775, each of the 13 colonies sent representatives to this In 1775, each of the 13 colonies sent representatives to this

gathering in Philadelphia.gathering in Philadelphia. On July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was On July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was

adopted. The Declaration of Independence listed specific adopted. The Declaration of Independence listed specific grievances against the King.grievances against the King.

The Second Continental Congress served as the first The Second Continental Congress served as the first government of the United States from 1776 to 1781.government of the United States from 1776 to 1781.

The Government That FailedThe Government That Failed

The Articles of ConfederationThe Articles of Confederation• The first document to govern the United The first document to govern the United

StatesStates• Congress had few powers (could not Congress had few powers (could not

tax); States held most power.tax); States held most power.• States could engage in foreign trade; States could engage in foreign trade;

promised to obey Congress; respect the promised to obey Congress; respect the laws of the other states; and contribute laws of the other states; and contribute money to congress money to congress

One vote for each State, regardless of size.One vote for each State, regardless of size. Congress powerless to lay and collect taxes or Congress powerless to lay and collect taxes or

duties.duties. Congress powerless to regulate foreign and Congress powerless to regulate foreign and

interstate commerce.interstate commerce. No executive to enforce acts of Congress.No executive to enforce acts of Congress. No national court system.No national court system. Amendment only with consent of all States.Amendment only with consent of all States. A 9/13 majority required to pass laws.A 9/13 majority required to pass laws. Articles only a “firm league of friendship.”Articles only a “firm league of friendship.”

Weaknesses of the Articles of Weaknesses of the Articles of ConfederationConfederation

The Government That FailedThe Government That Failed

The Aborted Annapolis MeetingThe Aborted Annapolis Meeting• An attempt to discuss changes to the An attempt to discuss changes to the

Articles of Confederation.Articles of Confederation.• Attended by only 12 delegates from 5 Attended by only 12 delegates from 5

states.states.• Called for a meeting in May 1787 to Called for a meeting in May 1787 to

further further discuss amendmentsdiscuss amendments to the to the Articles of Confederation.Articles of Confederation.

The Government That FailedThe Government That Failed

Economic TurmoilEconomic Turmoil• States had different currenciesStates had different currencies• States had laws that favored debtorsStates had laws that favored debtors

Shays’ RebellionShays’ Rebellion• A series of attacks on courthouses by a A series of attacks on courthouses by a

small band of farmers led by small band of farmers led by Revolutionary War Captain Daniel Shays Revolutionary War Captain Daniel Shays to block foreclosure proceedings.to block foreclosure proceedings.

The Agenda in PhiladelphiaThe Agenda in Philadelphia

The Economic IssuesThe Economic Issues• States had tariffs on products from other statesStates had tariffs on products from other states• Paper money was basically worthlessPaper money was basically worthless• Congress couldn’t raise moneyCongress couldn’t raise money• National government was powerless to act to National government was powerless to act to

stop domestic disturbances; e.g. Shay’s stop domestic disturbances; e.g. Shay’s RebellionRebellion

• Actions taken:Actions taken:• Powers of Congress to be strengthenedPowers of Congress to be strengthened• Powers of states to be limitedPowers of states to be limited

The Madisonian ModelThe Madisonian Model

James Madison “The Father of the James Madison “The Father of the Constitution”.Constitution”.

His system of government was based His system of government was based upon these principals:upon these principals:• Limiting Majority ControlLimiting Majority Control• Separating PowersSeparating Powers• Creating Checks and BalancesCreating Checks and Balances• Establishing a Federal SystemEstablishing a Federal System

The Madisonian ModelThe Madisonian Model

The Constitution and the Electoral Process: The Constitution and the Electoral Process: The Original Plan (Figure 2.2)The Original Plan (Figure 2.2)

The Madisonian Model of Checks and The Madisonian Model of Checks and BalancesBalances

Differences arose between the Differences arose between the DelegatesDelegates

The Virginia PlanThe Virginia Plan Three branches of Three branches of

governmentgovernment Bicameral Bicameral

legislaturelegislature ““National National

Executive” and Executive” and “National “National Judiciary”Judiciary”

The New Jersey PlanThe New Jersey Plan Unicameral CongressUnicameral Congress Equal representation Equal representation

for States of different for States of different sizessizes

More than one More than one federal executive federal executive

Constitutional CompromisesConstitutional CompromisesThe Connecticut CompromiseThe Connecticut Compromise Delegates agreed on a bicameral Congress, one Delegates agreed on a bicameral Congress, one

segment with equal representation for States, segment with equal representation for States, and the other with representation proportionate and the other with representation proportionate to the States’ populations.to the States’ populations.

The Three-Fifths CompromiseThe Three-Fifths Compromise The Framers decided to count a slave as three-The Framers decided to count a slave as three-

fifths of a person when determining the fifths of a person when determining the population of a State.population of a State.

The Commerce and Slave Trade CompromiseThe Commerce and Slave Trade Compromise Congress was forbidden from taxing exported Congress was forbidden from taxing exported

goods, and was not allowed to act on the slave goods, and was not allowed to act on the slave trade for 20 years.trade for 20 years.

The Federalists and Anti-The Federalists and Anti-FederalistsFederalists

The Constitution was very controversial at first, with The Constitution was very controversial at first, with some groups supporting it, and others attacking it.some groups supporting it, and others attacking it.

Federalists thought that the Articles of Confederation were

weak, and argued for the ratification of the Constitution.

Anti-Federalists objected to the Constitution for many

reasons, including the strong central government and the

lack of a bill of rights.

Vocabulary Chapter 2 Representative

government Magna Carta Petition of Right English Bill of Rights Virginia Plan New Jersey Plan Connecticut Compromise Three Fifths Compromise Boycott

Popular sovereignty

Unicameral Bicameral Articles of

Confederation Federalists Anti-federalists Federalist Papers Ratification