The Articles of Confederation

Unit 3

The First Government in the home of the

free!!The Articles of Confederation

• Established a very weak government

• What were the basic weaknesses?

Weaknesses of the Articles of

Confederation• Provided for a WEAK national government

• Gave congress no power to tax or regulate commerce (trade) among states

• Provided for no common currency• Gave each state one vote regardless of

size in the Legislative Branch• Provided for no executive or judicial

branch

BookletFront Page- The Weaknesses of the

Articles of ConfederationBack of Front Page-Pg. 1- Blank

Page 2- Weakness 1 of the Articles of ConfederationPage 3- Weakness 2 of the Articles of ConfederationPage 4- Weakness 3 of the Articles of ConfederationPage 5- Weakness 4 of the Articles of Confederation

P{age 6- Weakness 5 of the Articles of Confederation

Articles of Confederation

and The United States

ConstitutionBooklet- 2 pieces of notebook paper

Front Page:- Title- The United States Constitution

First Inside Page- Basic Principles of Our Government

Inside Pages- 1 principle per page

Warm-UpWednesday,

February 23rd

Get out your Articles of Confederation Booklet and finish it!! I will collect the booklet in 20 minutes.

The United States Constitution

Unit 3

The United States Constitution

• Established a federal system of government

• What is a Federal System?– Divides power between national and

state governments

• Included the Bill of Rights– Provided guarantee of individual rights

The United States Constitution

Basic Principles of Government• Separation of Powers– Structure based on James Madison’s

Virginia Plan– 3 separate branches of government

• Checks and Balances• Bill of Rights• Bill of Rights

Three Branches of GovernmentLegislative Branch

• Congress• Makes the Laws• 2-house legislature (bi-cameral)• Senate– All states represented EQUALLY– 2 senators per state

• House of Representatives– People are represented– Based on POPULATION

Three Branches of Government

Judicial Branch • Supreme Court• Determines if the laws made by

Congress are constitutional

Three Branches of GovernmentExecutive Branch

• President• Carries out the laws

Basic Principles of Government

Checks and Balances • Each branch can check the

power of the other• These checks keep any other

branch from gaining too much power

Basic Principles of Government

Bill of Rights• Author: James Madison• First 10 amendments to the

Constitution• Provide a written guarantee of

individual rights– Freedom of Religion, speech, etc.)

Articles of Confederation

and The United States

ConstitutionBooklet- 3 pieces of notebook paper

Front Page:- Title- Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation

Inside Pages- 1 weakness per page- DESCRIBE why it was a

weakness

The Bill of RightsAmendment I (1)

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or

prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the

people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a

redress of grievances.Freedom of Religion, Assembly,

Press, Petition, Speech

The Bill of RightsAmendment II (2)

A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free

state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.

Right to Bear Arms

The Bill of RightsAmendment III (3)

No soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in

any house, without the consent of the owner,

nor in time of war, but in a manner to be

prescribed by law.

Quartering of Troops

The Bill of RightsAmendment IV (4)

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and

seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation,

and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be

seized.Search and Seizure

The Bill of RightsAmendment V (5)

No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury, except in cases arising in

the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual service in time of war or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due

process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

Grand Jury, Double-Jeopardy, Self-Incrimination, Due Process

The Bill of RightsAmendment VI (6)

In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an

impartial jury of the state and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district

shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the

accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for

obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense.

Criminal Prosecutions-Jury Trial, Right to Confront and Counsel

The Bill of RightsAmendment VII (7)

In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise

reexamined in any court of the United States, than according to the

rules of the common law.Common Law suits-Jury Trial

The Bill of RightsAmendment VIII (8)

Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments

inflicted.

Excess Bail or Fines, Cruel and Unusual Punishment

The Bill of RightsAmendment IX (9)

The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained

by the people.

Non-Enumerated Rights

The Bill of RightsAmendment X (10)

The powers not delegated to the United States

by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the

states, are reserved to the states respectively,

or to the people.Rights Reserved to States

The Bill of Rights

1. Rank the amendments in order of how important they are to

you.2. I will hand out a piece of paper

for you to draw list and draw your top 5 amendments!