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The Articles of Confederation

The Articles of Confederation became the first form of government in America in 1781
The Articles had only one branch of government [Legislative], which had the ability to declare war, make treaties, and borrow money

Day 1

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Under the Articles of Confederation, what was the only branch of government?

Why was an executive branch (job for a leader) not created?

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Weaknesses of the Articles

The government had no power to pass taxes
The government could not regulate trade
9 of 13 states had to approve any changes to the government
There was no executive branch to enforce the laws
The states had more power than the national government

Day 1

9/13

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What was one weakness of the Articles of Confederation?

Why did the Articles of Confederation intentionally create a weak government?

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The Northwest Ordinance

The Northwest Ordinance created a plan for the orderly addition of states to the Union
This land forbid slavery, and allowed freedom of religion and trial by jury
Once a territory reached a population of 60,000 they could apply to be an equal state in the Union

Day 2

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How many people had to live in a territory before it could apply to become a state?

Do you think the newly created states should be considered equal in power to the original 13? Why?

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Economic Depression

After the American Revolution , farms were damaged in the south and trading with other countries slowed
As a result, farmers could not pay state taxes, and states took the farmer’s land away

Day 3

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Why were farmers unable to pay their taxes?

Do you think it was fair for the state governments to take the land of people who didn’t pay their taxes?

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Shay’s Rebellion

Daniel Shay led a rebellion with other farmers (who wanted their land back) by marching outside a courthouse with guns, not allowing judges inside
Shay and his group almost got a hold of an arsenal before the state militia barely stopped them
Shay’s rebellion resulted in many Americans wanting a stronger form of government than the Articles of Confederation

Day 3

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What is the name of the farmer that started the rebellion in Massachusetts?

Why did Shay’s rebellion leave Americans wanting a stronger federal government?

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Constitutional Convention

In 1787, our Founding Fathers met in Philadelphia to revise the Articles of Confederation
Once the meeting started, delegates decided to create a whole new form of government instead of revising the Articles

Day 3

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What was the original purpose of the Constitutional Convention?

Why did the delegates decide to create a new Constitution?

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Great Compromise

The Virginia Plan suggested 3 branches of government and representation in congress based on the population of each state.
The New Jersey Plan recommended that representation from each state be equal.
The Great Compromise created a bicameral congress, with one house based on population, and the other house having 2 representatives from each state for equal representation

Senate

House of Representatives

Day 4

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What plan favored larger states in congress?

What problem did the Great Compromise solve?

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Three-Fifths Compromise

Although the south treated slaves as property, southerners wanted to count slaves towards their population so they could have more representation in Congress
Northerners and southerners agreed to have 3 out of every 5 slaves count towards a state’s population

Day 4

Count

Don’t Count

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What was the name of the agreement that allowed southern states to count 3 out of every 5 slaves towards their total population?

Why did northern states not want the southern states to count their slaves towards their population?

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Roots of the Constitution

The Magna Carta limited the King’s power and gave citizens the right to a trial by jury
The English Bill of Rights protected certain rights of citizens from the government
The Mayflower Compact was created by the people

Day 5

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What document limited the King’s power?

How did America copy the principle of government in the Magna Carta?

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Philosophers of the Constitution

John Locke claimed that if a government did not fulfil its purpose of protecting individual’s freedoms, the citizens had the right [and responsibility] to overthrow it
Montesquieu believed that government power should be separated to keep one group from gaining too much power
William Blackistone believed that even the King should not take away a person’s property and believed strongly in individual rights

Day 5

Life

Liberty

Property

Constitution

21 of 60

What philosopher believed all people had the natural rights of life, liberty, and property?

Why did Montesquieu believe the government should be divided into three different parts?

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Constitutional Debate

Once the Constitution was written 9 out of the 13 states had to ratify [approve] the constitution in order for it to go into effect
People all across the country debated about if the Constitution was a good thing or bad thing

Day 6

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What was one weakness of the Articles of Confederation?

Why did the Articles of Confederation intentionally create a weak government?

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The Federalists

The Federalists supported the ratification of the Constitution.
They believed the Constitution created a more powerful government, but not too powerful
James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay wrote The Federalists Papers to explain how the Constitution worked.

Day 6

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What is the name of the people who supported the U.S. Constitution?

What was the purpose of The Federalist Papers?

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The Antifederalists

Patrick Henry and George Mason wrote the Antifederalists Papers
They believed that the Constitution created a government that was too powerful and would take away some freedoms
The Antifederalists demanded a Bill of Rights be added to the Constitution before they would ratify it

Day 6

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What group of people was against the Constitution being ratified?

What did they want added to the Constitution before they would approve it?

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Constitution Accepted

Written in 1787, after much discussion and debate, all the states ratified the Constitution once the Bill of Rights was promised to be added to the Constitution.
In 1791, the Bill of Rights was officially ratified.

Day 7

Bill of Rights

29 of 60

In what year was the U.S. Constitution written?

Why did the Anti-Federalist eventually agree to ratify the Constitution?

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Organization of Constitution

Preamble – Intro
Article I – Legislative Branch
Article II – Executive Branch
Article III – Judicial Branch
Article IV – States Respect Each Other
Article V – Amending Constitution
Article VI – Constitution is Supreme

Day 7

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The Preamble

The introduction to the Constitution
Announces the purpose of the Constitution:

To form a more united country
To give justice to all
To keep peace
To keep our country safe
To help people
To protect our liberty

Day 7

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What is the introduction to the Constitution called?

Why are the words “We the People” significant to the Constitution?

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Principles of the Constitution

Popular Sovereignty- the people have the ultimate authority
Republicanism- the people vote for representatives to rule on their behalf
Limited Government-the government cannot do what is not in the Constitution
Federalism- power is shared between national and state govt.

9.1a

Day 8

State

Federal

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Republicanism

35 of 60

What principle of government gives people the right to vote?

Why is it important for the Federal government and state government to share power?

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More Principles

Separation of Powers- power is separated between the three branches
Checks and Balances- each branch has power over the other two branches
Individual Rights- basic liberties of citizens are protected

9.1b

Day 9

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What principle divides the power of the government into three different parts?

What principle gives one branch of government power over another branch of government?

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Amending the Constitution

To amend the constitution:

2/3 of both houses of Congress have to vote for the change

3/4 of the state legislatures have to vote for the change

Purpose of Amending the Constitution is. . . . ?

Day 10

2/3

3/4

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For an amendment to be added to the Constitution, how many states have to approve it?

Why do we allow for changes to be made to the Constitution?

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Legislative Branch

Has power to make laws, declare war, tax citizens
Has two parts- the Senate and House of Representatives
Is also called Congress
Powers are listed in Article I of the Constitution

Day 11

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What is the job of the Legislative Branch?

If you could make a new law for the United States, what law would you make? Why?

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Executive Branch

Enforces the laws that the legislative branch makes
Is made up of the president (commander in chief), vice president, and a cabinet of advisors
Powers are listed in Article II of the Constitution

Day 11

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What is the job of the Executive Branch?

Who in your life enforces rules you have to abide by?

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Judicial Branch

Main job is to interpret and rule on the laws Congress makes
Is comprised of the Supreme Court and other Federal Courts
A judge can serve for life as long as they behave appropriately

Day 11

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What is the job of the Judicial Branch?

Why is there an odd number of judges?

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U.S. Citizen

There are two ways to become a U.S. Citizen
Birthright Citizen- born in U.S. or parents are U.S. citizens
Naturalized Citizen-

Live in U.S. for 5 years
Be 18 years old
Understand U.S. history and government
Swear allegiance to the Constitution

Day 12

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If you are born in Germany, how many of your parents have to be American citizens in order for you to be an American citizen?

Which requirement of the naturalization process do you think is the least important?

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Responsibilities of Citizens

Vote during elections
Staying informed
Serve on juries
Serve in military if asked
Pay taxes
Obey all laws
Attend school

Day 12

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Identify two responsibilities of American citizens.

Why is paying taxes so important to the success of America?

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Bill of Rights

1^st Amendment

Freedom of religion
Freedom of speech
Freedom of press
Freedom of assembly
Right to petition the government

Day 12

Day 13

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Name one freedom given to us in the 1^st amendment.

What does ‘freedom of speech’ mean?

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Bill of Rights

2^nd Amendment- right to bear arms

3^rd Amendment- right not to quarter soldiers

Day 12

Day 13

STAY OUT!

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What is the 3^rd amendment?

Why is it important for people to have the right to own a gun?

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Bill of Rights

4^th Amendment- no unreasonable search and seizure
5^th Amendment- right to due process
6^th Amendment-

right to trial by jury

8^th Amendment- no cruel or unusual punishment

Day 13

Day 14

I can explain why I’m innocent

We believe you

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What is the 8^th amendment?

What do you think the punishment should be for someone who commits murder?

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Bill of Rights

9^th Amendment- citizens have more rights that aren’t listed in the Constitution

10^th Amendment- rights not given to the federal government go to the states

Day 13

Day 14

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Which amendment gives rights not listed in the Constitution to the states?

Which amendment gives you the right to go home and watch TV?

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Grievances Addressed

When the Americans became their own country, they created laws in the Constitution and the Bill of Rights that addressed the grievances they had against King George III

Taxes must be approved by Congress
All judges are appointed for lifetime
1^st amendment provides right to petition
3^rd Amendment provides right to not quarter soldiers
6^th Amendment provides right to trial by jury to everyone

King imposed taxes without consent
King made judges dependent on his will
King refused colonists permission to petition
King quartered troops in colonists’ homes
King deprived colonists right to trial by jury

GRIEVANCES

ADDRESSED

Constitution

Bill of Rights

Day 15

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Declaration of Independence

Problems

U.S. Constitution

Bill of Rights

Solutions

Day 15

60 of 60

What does the word grievance mean?

How has living under Britain’s rule, helped us become a better country?