THE CONSTITUTION

ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION 1st constitution of the U.S. ‘loose friendship’ of the states

ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATIONProblems:

1. Congress had no power to tax2. states printed their own money3. no executive to enforce laws4. no national judicial system5. needed 9/13 states to pass a law

ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATIONEffects of the problems:

-Shays’ Rebellion-lack of respect from the rest of the world

FAIL!

FRAMERS OF THE CONSTITUTION 55 delegates all states there except Rhode Island Chairman: G. Washington Recorder/Author: J. Madison Goal: Revise Articles of Confed. Result: Threw out Articles; completely new

document came up with two plans: VA Plan and NJ Plan

VIRGINIA PLAN favored bigger states (pop.) bicameral legislature # of legislators would be based on states’

populations

NEW JERSEY PLAN favored smaller states unicameral legislature # of legislators would be equal from each

state

GREAT COMPROMISE CT steps in bicameral legislature:

*Upper House (Senate):based on = #s*Lower House (House of Reps):

based on pop. of states 3/5 Compromise: 60% of the slave

population in a state would be counted

BASIC PRINCIPLES OF THE CONSTITUTION1. Federalism power given to state and national

governments strong national government states’ rights as well

BASIC PRINCIPLES OF THE CONSTITUTION2. Separation of Powers Three Branches of government

a. Legislative: Makes lawsb. Executive: Enforces lawsc. Judicial: Interprets laws

BASIC PRINCIPLES OF THE CONSTITUTION3. Checks and Balances each branch has ‘checks’ on the other two does not allow one branch to become too

powerful

ARTICLE I Outlines the set-up and responsibilities of the

Legislative branch

Section 1: Creation of a bicameral legislature.

ARTICLE I Section 2: Creation of the House of

Representatives.

-must be 25 years old to be a representative and a citizen of the US for at least 7 years - 2-year term

 -100% up for re-election every two years

 -representation is based on state’s population

ARTICLE I Section 3: Creation of the Senate

-must be 30 years old to be a Senator and a citizen of the US for at least 14 years

 - 6-year term

 - 67% up for re-election every two

years 

-Presides over the Senate: Vice-President

ARTICLE I Section 4: Congress decides when and

where elections are held Section 7: The Senate and House must

agree on the same bill to be sent to the President. 

Section 8: Congress has the power to collect money through taxes.

-List the powers given to Congress (in common language).

ARTICLE I

ARTICLE II

ARTICLE III

ARTICLES IV - VII

RATIFICATION

AMENDING THE CONSTITUTION